One Village, Five Lives

Five years ago, Abdullah fell sick with fever along with two of his brothers. Both his brothers died and Abdullah has never walked again.

Polio returned to their village in late 2010. Sadly, Tukur Bello had not received any doses of routine immunization and just one dose from a recent campaign. He became the latest victim in this small community to be permanently affected.

It is three months now since Tukur Bello fell ill. Fortunately the polio virus has attacked the nerves in one leg and Bello can still stand.

His brother Abdullah has not been so lucky and must crawl through the dirt on his knees to move around the settlement.

His brother is lively and inquisitive. However, his legs are too weak to carry .

In the village, Bello is still coming to terms with falling sick and the attention it still brings. He is very shy.

It is a busy day in the village and everyone has come out to see the visitors. It is the first national immunization plus day for 2011 and additional focus and attention is being made to ensure all children in the community are reached with both oral polio vaccine and measles vaccine as part of an integrated campaign.

One Village, Five lives

Older girls bring many of their younger brothers and sisters.

It is loud and chaotic as the children gather round the health workers.

Importantly fathers also bring children to the post for immunization.

Bello is fascinated at what is going on and gets a closer look.

He is almost lost in the crush.

An additional dose of bivalent oral polio vaccine is given to all children under five.

And a shot of measles vaccine is also given to all children between 9 months and five years.

One Village, Five lives

As the last children arrive at the post and as the health workers begin to pack up to move to the next village.

Attracted by the noise and commotion another child arrives at the immunization post. From a neighbouring settlement, Muhammad was also paralyzed five years ago at the same time as Abdullah.

Brave and strong but with the need of a permanent crutch to help him walk, Muhammad is just one more reminder of the devastating affect this virus has had on local families.

It is these three children who leave a lasting impression.

On their way homeward.

One Village, Five lives

I realize like my memories, their paralysis will be with them always. One village, five lives devastated.