Resilient Women

Submitted by Elizabeth McKee Gore on January 25, 2007

Lagos, Nigeria January 25 2007

It has been my absolute privilege today to spend time with the most amazing women. I have learned many lessons from ladies as diverse as Gold Medal Olympian and championship WNBA player Ruth Riley to Mrs. Abuede Okikiola, a woman who lost one of her children to malaria.

The Nothing But Nets team hit the field again today to observe the Immunization Plus Days (IPD) in Nigeria, facilitated through the Measles Initiative. We observed the web of coordination that takes place between the nets, immunizations, recording, education and evaluation. Tomorrow, we will complete our immersion in net distribution and I will report back.

One of our hosts today was my hero, State Health Officer Bolanle Alao (Bola), who is a tireless field officer that has the responsibility of 75 wards in Badagry, Nigeria. She is a young Muslim woman who has risen above the religious barriers, educated herself and worked through the system to become a professional that saves lives. She herself is pregnant and finds her own transportation to all of these communities to coordinate the IPDs.

Officer Bola introduced us to many of the mothers whom had brought their children from miles away to give their babies, under five, immunizations and once completed, receive an insecticide treated net. Mrs. Okikiola was a mother with a two year old baby, Rukayat who stared at Ruth and I like we were giants. Mrs. Okikiola said she came because she lost one of her four children to malaria and wants to prevent this from happening again. She will receive a net today after her baby is immunized for polio and measles. Her three children and she will sleep under the net on a floor mat and her husband sleeps on the bed. Ruth asked her if she is afraid that she may lose other children to malaria. Mrs. Okiliola stated, “There are too many worries in Nigeria. I have to put my faith in God and trust he will take care of us.”

I was amazed at the sincere conversation and connection Ruth had with these women. It seemed that the conversations that were had in between her 6 foot 5 self and these 5 foot women were on the same level. They understood that the struggles women have take resilience and a faith that transcends borders.

Officer Bola, Ruth Riley and Mrs. Okikiola are all my heroes. We have a lot to learn from these women about struggles, faith and resilience.

distribution PS: Officer Bola will immunize over 35,000 children in four days, yet today she was not allowed in the palace of the King because she is Muslim. She also immunized the children of his two wives, on the front porch…..