Hunger in Somalia

          During the 1984 droughts, it has devoured about hundreds of thousands of victims who died of drought and hunger. Without water, farmers cannot harvest food and the prices for foods began to rise.

          This story is about a boy that struggles to find edible weeds for his mother to cook. Since the boy lives in a big family, his mother would often not get enough food to keep her from starving. She becomes weaker and weaker each passing day. His mother would often send him to forage for food while his brothers and sisters would go outside and search for things they could sell. Their father died a few years ago so things have been difficult since then.

          "I had dreamt the day that the rains would once again soak my face and hair with that chilly feeling I once had a long time ago." said Paula, the boy's mother.

          "My mother is too busy giving her food to my younger siblings that she did not have enough food for her to eat. Her conditions worries me a lot." Hendrico, Paula's son.

          Since their father died, it became harder to find food there. Hendrico would often steal food in really rough times. There were days when he and his mother, Paula, would not eat to keep his siblings from starving. They were not only hungry, but they are also poor as no one can work for the family. Paula wanted Hendrico to work in stores to get money for them but he refused because there won't be anyone to take care of Paula when she's very sick. They would often argue about that matter.

          Then one day, Hendrico realized that his mother start to cough really hard and she has been really dizzy. There was also a time when she would also cough blood. Because he is scared, he rushed quickly to the local doctor and asked him about it. Then he knew that his mother has lung cancer and her life might be harmed if not treated quickly. He thought he had heard enough and went straight home. He looks at his sick mother sadly before walking to her to ask how is she feeling today. She says she's fine and continued working. Hendrico planned to go to work tomorrow and start earning money to give medication and food for his mother. He began working and he got some money to bring home. Paula is delighted to hear the news. She told Hendrico that he is making a wise choice to go to work and earn some money. It was a few weeks later, everything was normal until he saw his brother running up to him while shouting for his name. His brother told Hendrico that his mother has fainted and she can't wake up. The two brothers rushed home to get their mother to the nearest hospital available.

          When they got there, the hospital is packed with people who needed help. The doctors and nurses are really busy and Hendrico needed to wait in a long line to get help. He is running out of options, and time. His mother started giving short breaths and Hendrico is really afraid. He sent his brother to call his other siblings to help. He starts weep for his mother because he knew that she won't be able to make it.

          Hendrico was about to give up when suddenly, a hand reach up to his shoulders and asked him his problem. He looked up to see a young man wearing a doctor's uniform, who was siting next to him, looking really concerned. With no other choice, he told the mystery man about the his mother. After listening to Hendrico thoroughly, the mystery man stood up and and called some nurses and asked them to bring Paula to the Operation Room. Unable to react to what just happened, Hendrico just sat there for a long time. He was about to fall asleep when the sound of his brothers woke him up. All of them just sat in the guest room, waiting for the mystery man to appear again. It was a few more hours before he actually did, covered up with some blood and a smile plastered to his face. The mystery man told Hendrico and his siblings that their mom is fine and well. They were all relieved to hear the news but they have one question that they all have in mind, who is this mystery man and why did he save Hendrico's mother?

          The mystery man finally introduced himself as Dr Josh. It turns out that he was the new chief at that hospital ans it was his first day as Chief Resident. But he was not only a doctor, he also likes to help poor people by donating money, clothes, food, and free service at the hospital. He told Hendrico that he could visit his mother as soon as the nurse finish cleaning her up without talking about himself anymore. All of them are so thrilled. Paula is able to come home a few weeks later to find out that the bills has been paid for the surgery, and that Dr Josh is going to supply the family with food and water everyday for the rest of their lives. They all jump in to tears and came to see the doctor to thank him. Paula held a not-really-fancy dinner to celebrate with Dr Josh. Paula thought he was an angel from heaven, but in fact Dr Josh is just one of the many Jesus followers that cares about the poor, the hungry, and the weak.