This father-son duo from Liberia beat the odds and recovered from Ebola by accessing early treatment
In July 2014, a strange illness began ripping through William Poopei's family. Within weeks, 14 family members were dead, including William's wife, and both William and his six-year-old son Patrick were experiencing Ebola symptoms. Thankfully, William's nephew advised him to report to an Ebola Treatment Unit, where both William and Patrick tested positive for the virus. With the help of Doctors Without Borders, William and his son were able to recover and have graciously agreed to share their story with the world.
Read about Patrick's story of survival published in The Guardian here.
Music: Yusuke Tsutsumi, Ryan Huff
Editor: Sarah Grile
Videography: Morgana Wingard
Korlia's Story of Inspiration
As a Physician Assistant, Korlia Bonarwolo was just doing his job when he provided care for his colleague in the emergency room of Redemption Hospital in New Kru Town in Monrovia, Liberia. When, despite his efforts, she tragically died, a chill ran down his spine. "What if it was Ebola, and what if I am next?" he thought. Ten days later, he began to experience signs and symptoms of Ebola. Thanks to his quick thinking and early treatment, Korlia survived. Now, he is helping train fellow healthcare workers assigned to Ebola Treatment Units, and is spearheading the formation of an association of survivors in his native Liberia. "Somebody who survived Ebola should be celebrated," he says. Watch his inspiring story.
Music: Ryan Huff
Editor: Sarah Grile
Videography: Sarah Grile, Morgana Wingard
Decontee's Story
When 23-year-old Ebola survivor Decontee Davis of Liberia fell ill in early August 2014, she assumed it was any number of West African sicknesses that come with fever, vomiting, and stomach pain. Luckily, Decontee's family was educated about Ebola and, when her symptoms continued to progress, brought her to an Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU). Initially, Decontee was resistant to entering the unit; but after hearing the testimony of an Ebola survivor, she was convinced it was her only choice. That testimony saved Decontee's life. On September 5, 2014, after nearly three weeks of treatment, she was declared Ebola-free and released from the ETU. Inspired by a survivor whose story gave her hope, Decontee is now working at a center for children who have come in contact with Ebola patients and are under 21 days of observation. "I feel I can do it, because I have passed through it. I know the pain it can cause," says Decontee, a mother of one who is now a mother of many.
Music: Ryan Huff
Editor: Raegan Hodge
Videography: Sarah Grile, Morgana Wingard
Awards: 2015 Silver Davey Award
Ebola Survivors Bendu and Anita’s Unique Friendship
When Bendu Howard and Anita Cole first met, neither one knew if she would live to see tomorrow. After contracting the Ebola virus from their respective relatives, the young women found themselves laying side by side at the Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) in Bong County, Liberia, which is managed by International Medical Corps (IMC). Under the care of IMC doctors like Pranav Shetty, Bendu and Anita managed to overcome the often deadly disease and were released within days of each other in late October 2014. The friendship they forged on the confirmed side of the ETU, where those patients who have tested positive for Ebola are treated, only grew after Bendu and Anita were released, and they now live together "like sisters". Recognizing the critical role early treatment played in their survival, 18-year-old Bendu and 20-year-old Anita have returned to the Bong County ETU to offer their support to current Ebola patients. It was Bendu's idea to return with the offer to help, and Anita soon followed. Now, the two "sisters" work side by side to care for, support, and encourage fellow Ebola victims." Just the way others help me to save my life, I am so proud that I can be there to help another person to save their life," says Anita.
Music: Ryan Huff
Editor: Raegan Hodge
Videography: Morgana Wingard
Balancing Clinical Care with Psychosocial Needs
When Dr. Pranav Shetty landed in Liberia in early August 2014, only two of the country's 15 counties had fully operational Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs): Montserrado County, which is the seat of the national capital, and Lofa County, which is the site of the first confirmed Ebola cases in Liberia. With infection rates on a continuing upward climb across the country, many Liberians were putting themselves and others at great risk by travelling long distances to reach these ETUs, which were stretched beyond capacity and forced to turn patients away due to lack of beds.
To help reduce the patient burden on the existing ETUs, Dr. Shetty and his organization, International Medical Corps (IMC), decided to open an IMC-managed, USAID-funded ETU in Bong County. The decision to open a unit in Bong was a strategic one made with the Liberian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare: though the bulk of Ebola cases were in Montserrado and Lofa at the time, numbers in Bong, which lies between the other counties and has a large population, were rising. Save the Children constructed the facility and Dr. Shetty and his team, including many Liberian staff, were left to run it.
By September 2014, the Bong County ETU was up and running. Designed with great care for the Ebola patients in mind, IMC decided to also establish a graveyard at the site. The establishment of the graveyard was warmly received by Ebola survivors like Anita Cole, who lost her father to the virus. Funerals and marked graves are a critical part of Liberian culture. Graves are so important that the country has dedicated a national holiday - Decoration Day - to decorating them. The Bong County ETU graveyard has allowed families to be involved in burial processes, which are performed by trained workers in full protective gear, and has provided families with closure by dedicating a grave to their loved one that they can mark and decorate on their yearly holiday. This video pays tribute to Dr. Shetty and the IMC team that made both the ETU and the graveyard possible.
Music: Ryan Huff
Editor: Raegan Hodge
Videography: Morgana Wingard
Foday Gallah’s Story of Strength, Sacrifice, and Survival
Foday Gallah is a modest man with an admirable goal: to become an anesthetist so that he can help improve the health and well-being of his fellow Liberians. Just two courses away from his first nursing degree, Foday currently supervises a fleet of six ambulances operating free of charge to citizens in Montserrado County, seat of the Liberian capital city of Monrovia. When he joined the ambulance service in February of 2014, the fleet typically received calls to transport ill patients or pregnant women going into labor to nearby health centers. The work was difficult, but the risk to Foday, who is also a paramedic, and his team’s lives was minimal.
All that changed in June of 2014, when the Ebola outbreak that had been ripping across Lofa County reached Montserrado.
With too few ambulances, too few Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) beds, and too few specialized healthcare workers in his native Liberia to tackle the growing epidemic, Foday knew his country needed him more than ever. So instead of walking away from the job and, with it, the heightened risk of contracting Ebola – a brutal virus that kills by attacking the immune system and causing multi-organ failure – Foday maintained his leading position on the fleet, dispatching units to make pick-ups of suspected Ebola cases across Montserrado County and driving one of the vehicles himself. His goal: to ensure that Ebola patients made it to one of the few ETUs operating in Montserrado County at the time, so that they might survive.
The decision to become a frontline responder in the Ebola outbreak almost cost Foday Gallah his life. After responding to the same home numerous times to pick up a total of seven family members, all of whom died, Foday gave his name and number to the neighbors so that the last relative, a four-year-old boy, might be saved if he came down with Ebola symptoms. The neighbors inevitably called, and what happened next solidified Foday’s status as a hero. Foday’s actions earned him a place on one of the covers of the December 2014 TIME Magazine “Person of the Year” edition, which honored the Ebola Fighters. This moving video captures his bravery and altruism.
Music: Ryan Huff
Editor: Raegan Hodge
Videography: Sarah Grile, Morgana Wingard
Esther's Story of Resilience and Recovery in the Midst of Loss
When Esther Mulbah's family fell ill in late September 2014, Ebola was raging across her native Liberia, with hundreds of cases reported each week, the majority in Esther's home county of Montserrado. Despite the dismal statistics, Esther, her husband, her stepson, and her biological son managed to avoid the virus, which can only be spread through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or corpse. All that changed when Esther's husband, a taxi driver, sought to help a sick friend by giving him a lift in his cab. The friend squeezed into the trunk, where he reportedly vomited. Days later, Esther's husband began running a high fever.
Like many in Liberia, Esther and her family tried to take her husband directly to the nearest Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU). Though advised to call for an ambulance, the urgency of her husband's condition and reports of delayed ambulance deployments led the family to bring their sick relative directly to the ETU in a private vehicle. Tragically, the ETU was full and turned the family away. Esther's husband died, and soon after, she and her stepson began developing symptoms.
With the nearest ETU at capacity, Esther's aunt urged her to go to the ETU in Foya, Lofa County, located hundreds of miles away from Monrovia. Esther went, but her mother-in-law, who was frightened by her own son's death, forbade Esther from bringing her grandson - Esther's stepson - with her. Esther survived, but the virus claimed her stepson's life. In this video, the devoted mother tells her story of triumph and tragedy to the world, and pleads with her fellow Liberians to seek treatment as soon as possible if they begin to experience the signs and symptoms of Ebola.
Music: Ryan Huff
Editor: Sarah Grile
Videography: Sarah Grile, Morgana Wingard
The First Pregnant Woman to Survive Ebola in Liberia
Josephine Karwah’s parents always valued health, science, and generosity – beliefs they passed down to their daughter, who is studying biology and chemistry with the aim of joining the healthcare field. At the start of the Ebola outbreak in Liberia, Josephine’s parents were well on their way to opening a community clinic. So as nearby friends and family fell ill with the virus, which was easily mistaken by the Karwahs and others for more familiar sicknesses like malaria and typhoid, the couple opened their doors to patients without hesitation. This altruism came at a heavy price: within two weeks of caring for a growing number of sick friends and relatives, Josephine, her uncle, her sister, and her parents all came down with Ebola. Josephine was several months pregnant at the time.
When it became clear that Ebola had arrive at their doorstep, the Karwah family immediately sought specialized care. But when they arrived at the ELWA Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) in Monrovia, the facility was overwhelmed with patients. Due to her pregnancy and the low survival rate associated with pregnant women infected with Ebola, Josephine was labeled a “special case,” given several check-ins, and instructed to drink plenty of water. The death of eight expecting mothers at the ETU heightened Josephine’s fears for her own life and that of her unborn child, but she pressed on with her treatment routine. Even the healthcare workers in the ETU did not think she would recover. Josephine proved them all wrong and became the first pregnant woman in Liberia to survive Ebola. Sadly, her parents did not make it.
While Josephine’s story garnered significant media attention, her community remained distant and skeptical of her recovery. When she was first released from the ETU, only her boyfriend, George Weah, stood by her. In a show of solidarity and support, George was also there when Josephine began experiencing severe stomach pains and bleeding. The couple tried to catch a taxi to return to the ELWA for treatment, but due to fears associated with external bleeding during Ebola times, no driver would pick them up. Josephine miscarried on the street – a tragedy she says was more painful than anything she experienced at the ETU. But instead of sinking into depression, she channeled her energy into working with the US military to give practical training on counseling techniques for those working in ETUs. In loving memory of her parents, she still plans to open a community clinic.
Music: Ryan Huff
Editor: Sarah Grile
Videography: Sarah Grile, Morgana Wingard
Recovery Gives Pastor Lafayette a New Gospel to Share
When the Ebola outbreak began in late March 2014, rumors abound in Liberia about the source, nature, and even reality of the mysterious virus. With too few trusted sources of information to which to turn, many Liberians were skeptical of health authorities and their repeated warnings. In fact, trust in official sources was so low that some Liberians thought that local hospitals and Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs) were injecting patients with lethal substances, causing their deaths. It was in this context that Pastor Lafayette Vinton and his wife, a dedicated nurse, opened their home to patients afraid to visit health centers. Sadly, and despite their good intentions, Pastor Lafayette and his wife put themselves directly in the line of Ebola fire when they started their home practice.
Several days after treating a presumed Ebola patient, Pastor Lafayette’s wife came down with a strong case of what the couple initially thought was malaria. When his wife did not get better, Pastor Lafayette, who also began feeling ill, took her to ELWA Hospital, where they both tested positive for Ebola and were admitted into the ETU.
The specialized care came too late for Pastor Lafayette’s wife: four days after their admission, the preacher heard her screaming in pain; minutes later, she was dead. In a state of grief and shock, the rumors of lethal substances came flooding back to Pastor Lafayette, who began to fear for his own life. He fled the ETU on foot, eventually making it to a busy marketplace. Luckily, his brother and fellow pastors were able to convince him to return to ELWA, where his faith in the treatment plan was restored and he eventually recovered. Since then, Pastor Lafayette has been on an awareness crusade to stop the spread of the virus and end stigmatization of survivors. “I’ve been called for a particular purpose: to encourage [the Christian community] that the virus [is] actually real,” he says.
Music: Ryan Huff
Editor: Sarah Grile
Videography: Sarah Grile, Morgana Wingard
How Ebola Survivor Amadu Konneh Went From Key Leader at his Mosque to Key Leader in his Community
At the start of the Ebola outbreak in Liberia, Amadu Konneh doubted the severity of the virus; but as more and more cases surfaced in his community of Gardnersville, his mindset shifted. A devout Muslim who serves as secretary at his local mosque, Amadu eventually contracted Ebola from a severely ill woman whom he was called to pray over. Despite widespread rumors that Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs) were akin to death traps, Amadu put his faith in his treatment plan, recovered from the virus, and has since emerged a trusted advocate for preventive and protective health practices.
When Amadu first began experiencing Ebola symptoms, high levels of misinformation and public suspicion surrounded the virus. Some people did not believe that Ebola was real, others thought it could be treated with traditional measures, still others thought that doctors and nurses in ETUs were injecting patients with Ebola and causing their deaths. Instead of buying into these rumors, Amadu decided to make a leap of faith and trust the health authorities – if not for himself, than for his family and community. By following the advised practices of practicing self-isolation, calling the 4455 emergency hotline, and trusting his ETU treatment routine, Amadu managed to recover from the often deadly illness and to prevent his loved ones from being infected by him. These simple actions also made him a role model for his fellow mosque and community members.
Unlike many Ebola survivors, Amadu was greeted warmly by his community when he returned home. A natural leader, he continues to spread the word about Ebola prevention and treatment and to clarify misinformation and concerns among his family, friends, neighbors, and Muslim peers.
Music: Ryan Huff
Editor: Sarah Grile
Videography: Sarah Grile, Morgana Wingard
Survivor Tejanie Golafaley Goes From Ebola Denier to Ebola Fighter
Panic, fear, and denial are three of the most common obstacles to curbing an Ebola outbreak, and in the initial months of the outbreak in Liberia, all three were at play. As the number of Ebola cases shot up, suspicions about both the virus and the mysterious centers in which it was being treated also rose. With too few trusted sources of information to resolve doubts, many Liberians denied the virus – which in its early stages, mimics other common West African illnesses – existed. Fearful and misinformed citizens also avoided clinics, hospitals, and Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs), afraid of being misdiagnosed with Ebola or, worse yet, injected with the virus. Tejanie Golafaley of Bomi County, Liberia, was one among these skeptics.
In mid-July 2014, Tejanie contracted Ebola from a sick friend after transporting the friend to a local village to avoid detection by health authorities. At that point, Tejanie was not convinced the virus was real and believed that if his friend was sent to an ETU, they would surely die. To their surprise, the two men were rejected from the community in which they sought refuge. When Tejanie himself fell ill, he consulted his sister, a local nurse, who encouraged him to seek specialized care. Afraid of being sent to a treatment center, Tejanie retreated to the bush, dodging road checkpoints, Ebola surveillance officers, and ambulances along the way. Only when his condition worsened did Tejanie leave the bush to accept water from a surveillance officer.
The surveillance officer was the trusted source Tejanie needed. After speaking to the officer, Tejanie agreed to visit the Bomi County ETU, where he was treated for four weeks before recovering. Following his release, Tejanie felt a newfound duty to help fellow Ebola victims fight the disease, and signed up to work as a hygienist at the very ETU where he was cured. Watch Tejanie's story from fearful Ebola denier to fearless Ebola fighter.
Music: Ryan Huff
Editor: Raegan Hodge
Videography: Sarah Grile, Morgana Wingard
The Unwavering Commitment of Jerald Dennis Helps Curb the Ebola Outbreak and Heal Those Wounded in its Path
From working as a transporter for patients at JFK Hospital in Monrovia, to educating communities about Ebola prevention practices, to serving as a voice of hope for fellow patients during his own recovery, Ebola survivor Jerald Dennis is a selfless citizen committed to upholding the health of his fellow Liberians. After visiting a number of communities to spread awareness about the Ebola virus, Jerald began to feel ill. Suspecting it was Ebola, he isolated himself from his family and set out for JFK Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU). Unfortunately, the center had no vacant beds, and Jerald was initially denied treatment. Minutes after he was turned away, the tragic death of one patient created the space needed for his admission.
Music: Ryan Huff
Editor: Sarah Grile
Videography: Sarah Grile