Life is Short

The other day I stayed home in the morning to have some time to myself and do laundry. I actually skipped school to do laundry. It was my first time being truly alone, not a single person was around, and that’s not an easy task when no less than 10 people live with you. I was writing a letter home, enjoying the peacefulness of being alone when I heard a noise come from the compound next door. It sounded like a combination of goats screaming and children yelling. At first I thought maybe some kids were breaking into song or playing a game, but then it turned into this horrible howling. It went on for about 20 minutes, and then slowly died down. I asked my mother later what was going on and she said that a 3 year old boy died that morning. He had Palu.

We learn so much about health and the difficulties here in Cameroon, but it all seems so far away, until now. That morning I realized how close it is to every family, and how fragile life is. I'll never forget the sound of the family in mourning.