Chickens and Gunshots

Saturday we drove over two hours to the satellite clinics: Kafanchan and Bakin-Kogi. A few years ago Faith Alive realized that a sizeable number of their HIV+ patients were coming this distance for medications. After doing HIV tests in those areas and discovering a 30% positive rate, they started work on these satellite clinics. The head of the support group at Kafanchan is so grateful to Dr. Chris that he gave us two live chickens (which traveled back to Jos in the van with us and fought occasionally as their feet were tied together). I imagine they knew their destiny (our dinner tonight?) and were taking it out on each other.


The Bakin-Kogi site is nearly ready to open once the water system is established. It’s surrounded by soybean fields, swarms of children, and a borehole machine that will drill the well. While there, we paid our respects to the village chief who’s mourning the loss of his eldest relative. As we walked with the chief down the dirt road back to the van we were surprised by a series of gunshots only 5 or 6 yards away. Some of us froze while a few others of us (or maybe it was just me!) ducked to the ground in fear. How reassuring to hear Dr. Chris say “Oh, don’t worry, this is an African custom.” Apparently it's a common tribute to fire shots in honor of a deceased person. Note to my friends -- this will not be necessary for my memorial service.