Wednesday March 16

Wednesday March 16

We all packed last night in anticipation of a busy day. We had breakfast at the Guest House, and then were invited to have breakfast with Madame President. So we went next door to her house, and after taking pictures with her, we sat down for another breakfast, She thanked me for my note sent the previous day, in which I thanked her for her hospitality and congratulated her on being named the Commencement speaker at the Harvard graduation this year.

Adamah told her about the young mother whose 3 year old son's hernia we fixed on Monday. I can't remember if I wrote his, but the woman has been disowned by her family because she is Muslim and she married a Christian; she is totally illiterate, and has no understanding of time or money. Anyway, the President's reaction immediately was that we will do something to help her. She said she would try to get her a job or something. By the time we got to the hospital about 20 minutes later, the President had already spoken to Dr. McDonald about her and a process had started. I guess it is one of the things about a small country that people in positions of power can more easily do things to help, perhaps; I think it is also a testament to President Sirleaf that she naturally and quickly responds to problems in this way. At the end of breakfast, she announced " it's time to do the people's business" and set off to work.

We went to hospital to say goodbye to patents and staff. As before, the next thing after "goodbye" was "when are you coming back?" there really was a sense of warmth and affection on both sides with our goodbyes, which was quite gratifying. While I was at the hospital Sondra Tyler caller. she had just received the note I left at RLJ on Sunday, and the guy from the Philanthropy Secretariat had forgotten to tell her that I was there looking for her. In any case, they were having a busy time, and they are scheduled to visit JFK on Thursday. I asked her to speak with Dr. McDonald personally, andnshe said she would. We agreed that we would have a nice long conversation when we bother were home.

Adamah was in meetings so we went to Front St. with Dewalt and Albert driving to go shopping at the mask store; additionally drums were purchased across the street. Then we went back to the Guest House to have lunch, say our goodbyes to the staff, and wait for Adamah to come so we could leave for the airport. He was rather late, so we didn't leave the Guest House till 3:35, and we drove like a bat out of hell to the airport. I was sitting in the back so I could see the speedometer well, and Albert hit 140 km/hr, or 87 mph on the two lane road to the airport, dodging taxis and trucks, and intermittently giving me cause to wonder if we would make it alive to the airport. Fortunately we did make it, arriving around 4:15 for our 5:30 flight; initially they said they wouldn't check us in because it was too late, but some phone calls were made and eventually we did get checked in and through security to board the plane. I told Adamah that next time maybe I would make my own arrangements to travel to the airport !!

We are now in Atlanta on the way home.