After a weekend of celebration, we had to leave Ka-Shoba today. But before we left, we spent the morning interviewing Musa Nkambule, a healthcare worker in Ka-Shoba who survived MDR-TB. While we’ve been studying the relationship between the spread of tuberculosis and mine-work, Musa’s story highlighted the risk of exposure to TB for medical professionals. Musa spoke with us about the immense stigmatization he endured during his fight through tuberculosis. He expressed the necessity for each patient to maintain an unwavering faith in his or her ability to fight through the disease. Treatment cannot simply focus on the physical, but the mental and spiritual as well. I think this idea is crucial. Health is not, simply, physical. Health is all-encompassing, involving the mental, spiritual and social as well.

After the interview, we spent the next couple of hours hanging out with the Mkokos before we had to leave. They were as wonderful as ever, and everyone is hoping they come to Sibane for one final visit. We were also able to (hopefully!) find homes for a very hungry puppy who was hanging around Lituba while we were there. Lituba is host to a couple of stray dogs. Though I initially was trying to bring the pup back with me, Tim helped us find an alternative home! We are awaiting final confirmation concerning the safety of the dog.

Our car ride back was a bit of an adventure. Though we told the car company that we would need transportation for eleven people (not including the drivers), two small 5-seaters arrived to transport us home. Perfect. As we were driving away from Lituba, the sound of the bottom of our car grating against the rocky drive forced us to rearrange ourselves. After quite a bumpy ride home (I never thought the car would make it!), we arrived back at the Sibane. Apparently, an uncontrolled fire is raging nearby, but I’m sure things will be fine. Now,  the World Cup is on. Though I’ve never watched it before, I’m getting hooked. I’m definitely a soccer-fanatic in the making. That’s all for now! Gotta go watch!