Orphaned by Ebola
Aminata is a 12-year-old girl living in southern Sierra Leone. She is one of an estimated 6,000 children who have been orphaned by the deadliest Ebola virus outbreak in history.
By Sahr Kemoh Ngaujah
Aminata’s parents died of Ebola within barely a week of each other in October. Her elder sister developed symptoms shortly thereafter, and passed away in the same month.
The memories of the numerous ambulances still linger in Aminata’s mind. Since the epidemic’s onset at the beginning of the year, ambulance sirens have become part of the daily background noise for residents of Ebola-affected regions, a sound to listen for and cry over when loved ones are taken away.
“The ambulance came for my mother and she did not return. It came for my father, and my elder sister followed. None of them came back,” Aminata comments quietly.
Aminata’s late father had two wives – her mother and her stepmother – and left 12 children behind. Aminata is the tenth child. Aminata used to live with her father and mother, while her stepmother stayed in another house. Aminata now lives with her stepmother, Titty, and her siblings.
Shortly after her parents’ and sister’s deaths, Aminata started complaining of tonsillitis and severe cold and joint pains. After her family’s recent suffering, Aminata’s symptoms were reason enough for health personnel to raise eyebrows, and they took them for signs of Ebola. But Aminata had faith otherwise.
“The ambulance came for me, but I told them my own case would be different. I kept praying. They took a blood sample to do the Ebola test. I was at the isolation centre for six days,” Aminata remembers. “When they told me I did not have Ebola, I was so happy. I am not happy living without my parents, but I thank God I am alive and free from Ebola.”
Living with the aftermath
Since her ordeal, World Vision has been checking up on Aminata regularly to ensure that she is cared for and protected.
“World Vision has done a lot for me and my family. They have been encouraging us, giving us food stuffs like rice, oil, a carton of fish, onions and seasoning, and providing us with a bucket, soap, chlorine and other things to protect ourselves with,” she says. “Since I came back from the isolation centre, my friends don’t visit and play with me anymore, for fear of being infected with Ebola, even when I tested negative. I only play with my brothers and sisters now.”
Ebola’s effects stretch far deeper than health, and have pervaded almost every aspect of life in Sierra Leone today.
“As a child in Sierra Leone I am worried about Ebola, poverty and dropping out of school. Because of the Ebola I was not allowed to see my parents’ and sister’s remains, this was the worst experience I have had. I didn’t even get to see where they were buried,” Aminata mourns. “The only positive experience I have now is telling the story of how I survived.”
Before Ebola struck, Aminata’s favourite part of the day was going to school. “Now, I don’t attend lessons any more. I don’t even know when the schools will re-open,” she gripes.
After Aminata’s test result came out negative she was released from quarantine to live with her stepmother, Titty. Titty explains the difficulties she now faces as a widow.
“Ebola has caused serious damage in my home. My husband is dead; other family members are dead, too. My husband who used to take care of us is no more. Who will help me pay the children’s school fees?,” she asks. with tears rolling down her eyes.
It has now been almost a month since Aminata’s parents and sister died, and Aminata is still very sad about losing her parents.
“Ever since my mother and father died, I have not been feeling fine. When I turn left and turn right again, I don’t see them. All the things they used to do for me, they do them no more,” she says. “But I thank God I survived and did not die of Ebola.”