The Photographer's Diary:
Hope and Horror in Sierra Leone
by Martin Lueders
 
December 13: 

I arrive at the "Cotton Club" which used to be a vacation resort, but now is a rehabilitation clinic run by the International Society of the Red Cross.

Kadiatu Kamara (left) was caught by the RUF rebels, who tried to cut off both of her hands. Her right arm was badly wounded, but she survived the attack and has received surgery at the clinic. She is six months pregnant.

 
 
Momo Koroma (above) was also maimed by the RUF rebels, and has received a special surgery to improve the functionality of what remains of his arm. This Krukenberg method was used in World War One, and by using the separated bone and muscle, he can grasp objects.
 
 
Cheka Conteh (above) is also a patient at the Cotton Club. He was with his son, who wasn't injured. The patients here are very quiet people. A nurse says to me that they are happy just to be alive.
 
BACK
 
CONTENTS EDITORIALS THE PLATYPUS LINKS COPYRIGHT
PORTFOLIOS CAMERA CORNER WAR STORIES  Dirck's GALLERY COMMENTS
ISSUE ARCHIVES COLUMNS FORUMS MAILING LIST E-MAIL US
 This site is sponsored and powered by Hewlett Packard