Saturday, day 6: Village visit

No set schedule but our guests wanted to see some of the village around us.  I took them first to Demis’ house since they had worked with him.  We got a grand tour (took pictures of different cultural items and they even sampled some keya).  From there, we went to the elementary school where the classes were in session (make up classes) and then through one part of a village where they observed a young girl grinding grain, and an old woman smoking a pipe and making rope. 

By the time we were home (9:30) we were all hot and sweaty.  The humidity was high and the clouds were rolling in.  Dr. Bernard, Minah and I had a meeting until noon in regards to where to go from here in regards to meeting the physical needs of the Gumuz.  It was a helpful discussion and we are hopeful that the Yamp nurse will be able to make regular visits here.

After lunch (leftover stew with rice or injera), one of our guards with his wife and 5 kids came for checkups as they were unable to come previously.  This was a family that I really wanted to be seen since they have come with so many different issues.  The main issue is malnutrition.  The question is: why is a whole family dealing with malnutrition when their father is one of very few Gumuz who has a paying job!  They eat beans and sorghum/millet.    The oldest three children age  9, 7, 6 are the worst of them all.   But there is basically nothing to buy in town so unless you grow enough vegetables for the whole year, you go without any  for 6 months or more.

Another guard came with his niece who couldn’t hear for a week.  Minah quickly saw that her eardrum had burst and hopefully it will close up again.  I always wonder what happens with these cases when seen by the local witchdoctor.  What do they end up all sticking in the ear in order to “heal” it?
And then we had a thunderstorm.  It was magnificent!  The first of the season and so we look forward to many more.  The kids danced around with joy!  Then they all took showers and baths knowing that the water would quickly become too cold to use.  

I made some chicken fettucine for supper with the last of the vegetables stirfried on the side.  We had a really nice evening and we gave each of our guests a Gumuz necklace or bracelet as a thank you for the hard work they had done.  The nice thing about having visitors is that they aren’t afraid to take pictures and so I look forward to sharing many of their impressions with you in a few weeks!