Poor Alfani

Last Sunday a boy from my homeroom class, Alfani was getting out of the local transport, a daladala and the driver took off before he was fully out. Somehow (he doesn't remember) his leg was broken in two.

He is now in hospital in Arusha in a lot of pain.

I've been to see him a few times, but the first visit was also the first time I've been into a developing country's local hospital. I should have known what sort of things to expect - 2 in one bed, filthy, no food or water provided, no pain killers provided etc. I should have thought about all of those things but I didn't and so I was a bit shocked on arrival. Luckily, Alfani was asleep that first time.

The second time I went, he was awake and very happy to see me. While I was there a Dr came along and tied a bag of weights (how do they know how much weight?) to a nail-like peice of steel they had inserted through the lower part of the bone the day before. The Dr then hung the bag of weights over the end of the bed to try and pull the bone back into place. I nearly passed out. Alfani was in so much pain but was so brave. I gave his mum some money so she could buy some pain killers for him but really I just wanted to take him out of there and find somewhere better... maybe there is nowhere better.

Anyway, it has really affected me so I thought I'd share it. I'm going to see him as much as I can because he really loves the company - there are only 3 visiting times in the day and no one is allowed to stay with him overnight. His mum is always there when I go and has only been grateful. It really hits hard though when you get face to face with the poverty in yet another way.