Bobby

Last week Cramer, Chad and I flew up to Zwedru, in the far corner of Liberia, to assess three orphanages that the government didn't even know existed. Because of the remote location we had our doubts that we'd ever be back or have the chance to help, but we went anyway in the hopes that putting them on the map would help them secure some assistance.
At the second orphanage we assessed, I met a young boy named Bobby--about 11 years old--with severe burns covering 20% of his body, from his armpit down to his ankle. He was lying naked on the dirt floor, purple disinfectant paint poured over him each day, a caretaker twirling a towel over him to keep the flies off. I spent about an hour with Bobby, just talking, trying to cheer him up, mind racing to find something I could do to ease his pain. The burn was only a week old at that time, but his bravery was astonishing. I can't imagine the kind of pain he must have been feeling, combined with the humiliation of lying prone all day in what I would guess used to be their dining area.
Two days ago, Bobby called me with an absurdly cheerful 'hello'.
Today Mariel spoke with a plastic surgeon at the largest hospital in Monrovia, and he said he'd like to see Bobby in person ASAP. I spoke with our friends at the UN and MERLIN to see whether he can and should be transported. On Friday we're returning to Zwedru to consult with the physicians there and, if necessary, make arrangements to fly him down to Monrovia next week.
Please pray for Bobby. No one wants to subject him to the hours of intense pain that the flight would cause him, but we also want to make sure we get him the best care available.
I'll keep you posted.