Sudan: Now You Understand that I Didn’t Take This Picture by Accident, Right?

I didn’t take this picture in front of our Paediatric Centre in Sudan by accident. The boy standing right next to the sign is Ahmed; he was one of the students at the Port Sudan Health Academy. We collaborate with the Academy and welcome nursing students for periods of training. Today, just 23 years old, he is one of the nurses in the outpatient clinic at the centre.

“Working with EMERGENCY has always been my dream since I saw this hospital being built, brick by brick, not far from my house”, says Ahmed.

Do you understand why I took this picture now? His father and mother live far away, and he takes care of his four brothers in that same house where, as a child, he watched our hospital being born.

I remember Ahmed’s training days: an incredible student who has now become an outstanding nurse. We are proud to have him with us. I’d like to tell you something about him, because it’s through these small –and yet large – gestures that you get to really know someone.

Ahmed is a motorcycle enthusiast and, sadly, a few weeks ago he had an accident that forced him to stay home for a few days – nothing serious, thankfully.

One morning, a day before we expected him back, I met him in the triage area of the hospital. “What are you doing here, Ahmed? Shouldn’t you be at home resting?”, I asked. Do you know what he said? “I was missing my patients, I was missing this hospital”.

Now you understand why I didn’t take this picture by accident, right?

Thank you, Ahmed.

Laura, EMERGENCY’s Medical Coordinator at the Port Sudan Paediatric Centre

EMERGENCY’s Paediatric Centre in Port Sudan, is co-funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.