A Trip to a Health Clinic in South Africa's Bulungula District
The boat is launched to cross the Xhora River in Bulungula, South Africa (VOA/D.Taylor)
The ferryman rows the boat across the Xhora River … From left to right are American medical student Sam Partington and Buselwa Senyuko and Bongesi Gashe, who must journey to a distant clinic for medical help. (VOA/D.Taylor)
Buselwa Senyuko [front] and Sam Partington on their way to meet the ferry at the Xhora River (VOA/D. Taylor)
Senyuko, who cannot swim, is overjoyed after crossing the river successfully (VOA/D. Taylor)
Senyuko is coughing up blood, so she holds a cloth in front of her mouth. (VOA/D. Taylor)
On the way to the clinic, Bongesi Gashe picks up numerous empty medicine boxes and bottles that have been discarded by other ill people who’ve visited the health facility (VOA/D.Taylor)
The party of ill people must negotiate rough terrain, including a forest, to get to healthcare. (VOA/D. Taylor)
After walking for two hours, Bongesi Gashe reaches Nkanya Clinic (VOA/D. Taylor)
Gashe waits with a crowd of people to receive medical attention at Nkanya Clinic (VOA/D.Taylor)
Sixteen year old Thembakazi Mdluli waits for a nurse to see her sick infant son.(VOA/D. Taylor)
Therapist Azel de Villiers demonstrates the use of female condoms at Nkanya Clinic (VOA/D. Taylor)
De Villiers distributes female condoms at Nkanya Clinic, despite the items being taboo in the area.(VOA/D. Taylor)