"Sudan Evacuation Flight" mauritsh's Profile

Ambulance flight from Sudan

This Turkana warrior was shot in the head, when he was sleeping in the early morning. This happened near Kokuro by bandits from Ethiopia, the Merille, when they came to steal cattle and shoot people. It seems to be a local habit there. Here his friends ask him to empty his bladder before boarding, because our on board toilets were out of order and the stewardesses were busy.
The large amount of guns, specially the AK-47,that can be obtained for the price of 2-3 goats, makes life less easy as it is already.
I brought him to our local hospital in Lodwar. He was later transferred to Eldoret. He will survive, less pretty.

His mother accompanied him

To the hospital

When a Turkana goes to the hospital, he should bring relatives with him, so they can take care of him/her. Hospital staff don't really do that. At first I was amazed that their uniforms were spotless, later on I found out they only hand out the tablets!!!
Here you see the concerned look on her face, not knowing what will happed to her son. On the way she didn't even ask for tax free goods!!!!

Working in the clinics

Landingstrip

The plane does not only bring medicine and food, but also shade, due to the lack of airport terminals here. Temperatures go up to 45 Deg. C. during the day easily!

Working in the clinics

The Clinic

Here people are treated by local nurses and sometimes doctors. Here we finished with Mother and Child care.
These huts are built by the locals next to the airstrip to give them some shade and shelter.

Turkana lady

Margaret pure Turkana

This nice lady came to me for a chat and to see if I had tobacco or stuff like that. Sitting below the wing in the shade she stayed there for at least one hour. Later she went to the clinic to get her tablets.
If you want to know how old she is mail me. I do not know if she is still available.

Evacuation

Snake bite

This 8 year old girl was evacuated by me after she was attacked by a snake. This snakebite was not treated well for some 12 to 14 days.
Local medicine did not work. When they see no improvement, the real doctors are called.
After she was treated in hospital, her hand and part of her arm had to be amputated. Not a very nice future for this girl. Being handicapped there is like put away forever.

Birds and Bees

Grasshopper

In Oropoi near the Ugandese boarder, I sat on a hill near the policepost to overlook the settlement when we found this amazing insect. When it lifts its wings it is bright orange coloured underneath. They are hard to spot, here near the mountains there are lots of exotic flowers and plants, the surrounding is very green compared to the rest of Turkana.

Structures

Termitemound

Coming back from a Safari where we had to find new locations for possible new airstrips, we stopped to look at this building. It is at least 6 meters high and at least the same lenght goes underground. These animals can regulate the temperature inside their building exactly to 1 or 2 degr.C precise. Day and night the same conditions, so they have their own bush-airco. Smart creatures don't you think?

Intro Updated Jan 26, 2004
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Bokhari76 Apr 12, 2012 at 12:21 PM

Happy Birthday Mr. Wim. Wish you many happy returns of the day.
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Usctwin Apr 12, 2012 at 9:30 AM

Hi Wim, great photos and tips, thanks for sharing. Hope you have a great birthday!
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TrendsetterME Apr 11, 2012 at 10:45 PM

Hey Wim, "Happy Birthday", with all my best wishes ... :)
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olja1234 Apr 12, 2010 at 3:14 AM

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday, Wim. Hope you're having a wonderful day. Greetings from Slovenia.
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Laura_Mexico Apr 12, 2009 at 11:00 AM

You're my Bday-sake!!! Happy birthday, I hope you're enjoying your day! :) Best wishes.
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a2lopes Apr 12, 2009 at 9:36 AM

Happy Birthday Win and many happy returns of the. Greetings from Lisbon which is waiting for your visit next May for the Euromeeting. It will be fun with vteers from all over.
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pieter_jan_v Apr 11, 2009 at 11:54 PM

Gefeliciteerd. PJ
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Etoile2B Apr 12, 2008 at 10:10 AM

Happy Birthday from Sunny California! Here's to many more wonderful years!
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GracesTrips Apr 12, 2008 at 7:57 AM

Happy Birthday, Wim! Hope you enjoy a most excellent day!
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sim1 Apr 12, 2008 at 1:34 AM

Van harte gefeliciteerd Wim! Een hele fijne dag gewenst! Groetjes uit Zweden :-) Simone