An Unexpected Greeting in Lingeria Village

Today Shanna and I walked to one of the villages, Lingeria. On our way out of the SHIM camp, Keeky asked if we heard the loud disturbance outside. A man from Katonga, was caught stealing a mattress. A large crowd was surrounded the man as they escorted him to Lingeria where the island’s jail is located. A local told Keeky, “We do not tolerate thieves here.” Keeky and I thought it ironic about their quick response to thieves but lack of response to the defilement of their daughters.

The purpose of going to Lingeria was it gave us something to do while the women’s bible study was going on, walking to Lingeria requires us travel towards the top on the hill of the island allowing for some spectacular views and photos, we could buy soda and biscuits (cookies), visit women and children in the village, take more photos, visit the primary school, and I could talk to Madam Jan. Madam Jan is very passionate about preventing defilement and has an interesting story about speaking out against a man who had defiled a girl and in the end her young daughter, around 3 years old, was murdered with poison. Madam Jan invited me to speak to a class tomorrow at 9am. Which is early. Breakfast is at 8:30, and then the 20 minutes walk up the hill and rocks. But it is worth it. Amanda the breakfast cook may cook early, if not I have packed plenty of oatmeal and as long as I get a cup of coffee I am good to go!

We completed our much needed tasks, with spare time to sit by the water and enjoy our soda and biscuits listening to the “waves” crash among the shore line. Storm clouds are rolling in rather quickly. Whoever said it was dry season was mistaken. The past week it has been raining every day, it even hailed yesterday! As we were walking back, I noticed a large crowed by the prisons. Me being me, nosey, I have to see what is going on. In the midst of the small people that has gather, the LC1 from the other village is here. This man I have tried several several times to meet one-on-one. Anyhow, he proudly showed us the man and his wife who was caught stealing the mattress. The mattress was on the other side of the room. This room is similar to my hut in Niger. The wife was not at all happy. They told the men that they stole is because they were poor. The men in the group asked us to take their photo, they want it in the paper. They had the man and his wife come out and hold the mattress! I couldn’t believe. Over a mattress, which here is a large piece of foam, and nothing over their young daughters being raped. But emotions aside and I didn’t have the time to start a public health teaching session, the rain clouds were getting closer and crossing over the rocks in the rain is dangerous, I took the picture. The wife refused to hold the mattress or look at the camera. I would not want to be that man locked in a room with her!

The whole point of the this blog was to share that I met on the men who helped saved the boat and my life! I noticed this man had what looked like burns on his right forearm. The skin was pink in areas and appeared to be healing. I asked the LC1 what happened to his arm. Turns out that he was the assist pilot on the boat that I was on. Assist pilot means that he “drove”. “steered” the boat since the regular pilot was not able to work that day. His name is Wakori from Kytonga, one of the villages on the island. I shook his hand and fighting back the tears, thanked him for his courage for saving the boat, explaining to him that he saved my life and everyone’s life that day and I am so grateful for him. My parents from American send their greetings. (meaning thanks, love, etc) His face lit up, being know me in American?!?!The LC1 told me the other man, the conductor (who takes the money from people and whatnot) was badly burned. He was able to return to his village last Monday. His name is Kasimu from Marindi village. Finally a way to track this man down to properly thank him. It will be a true honor to meet this man and his family.



P.S. I heard about the snow in South Carolina . . . did I mention I am sunburned from today's visit to Lingeria :p