Sad Incident

Something happened the other day that has never happened in the history of Mercy Ships and is sad and unfortunate. A pre-screening was taking place in the Freetown sports arena. This is when people from all over the city AND country sides come to be seen for the first time by the medical staff and hope to be accepted by the Africa Mercy Ship (AMS) for treatment, surgery, medical care, or whatever it might be that they need. Some specific areas far from the boat were seen by medical advance teams before we even arrived because they were too poor and unable to travel to Freetown just for the screening itself.  On Monday, the first day of the local screening, due to several reasons apparently, things got out of hand and some townspeople were injured. Some locals were actually arrested by local police for inciting a riot-type situation which caused people in the crowds to be shoved forward and/or crushed in the melee. One older gentleman died due to his previous medical condition which was exacerbated by the heat and stressful conditions of the rush situation. It was a shock to the AFS crew and assisting personnel who were on hand to help the medical staff performing the pre-screening. No AFS people were injured but many saw things that were disturbing. Those who were injured were rushed to the local hospital and, since most of them barely had money and the ability to be here in the first place, AFS foundation is assisting in their care and their bills so that they will get what they need and be able to return for the next pre-screening which is being planned carefully so as not to repeat the unfortunate incident. The man who died will receive funds he needs for a proper funeral and assistance for his family, again from the AFS, even though his death was not the fault of the crew of pre-screening itself. The founder of the Mercy Ships issued a statement regarding what occurred here Monday. All of this has set our schedule back a few days but will not change our goal and determination to do what we came here for: minister to the people of Sierra Leone, both in medical and Godly manners, for no other reason than that it is the right thing to do.

(General decorum and a specific request from the Captain keep me from going into any details or spouting an opinion)