After several family members near the Guinea border fell ill and died, William's uncle traveled to Monrovia to seek treatment. William's wife began to look after him—bathing and cleaning up his vomit or diarrhea. She too soon feel ill. After his uncle passed away, William carried his wife to multiple clinics seeking help, but she died in his arms days later. Then, he began to develop the same symptoms. His nephew convinced him to seek treatment at an Ebola treatment unit (ETU) so he left his son with a relative and took himself to the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) ETU in Monrovia. Not long thereafter, his son came down with the symptoms as well and was admitted. As William fought the virus himself, he lovingly cared for his son on the same bed urging him to drink fluids and take his medication. We met them them the day they were released—a handful of the first survivors of Ebola in Liberia.
We created this film for UNICEF to educate and encourage Liberians across the country during the worst time of the outbreak. At the time, many rumors circulated that Ebola wasn't real, patients were being killed at Ebola treatment units or they were treated poorly. Through William and Patrick's story, UNICEF was able to share key, lifesaving messages by encouraging Liberians that Ebola is real, that seeking early treatment will increase the chances of survival, that patients are receiving quality care, and that you can survive Ebola.
Read the article published in The Guardian about Patrick.
Published on Dec 8, 2014
Client: UNICEF
Music: Yusuke Tsutsumi
Cinematographer: Morgana Wingard
Editor: Sarah Grile