Ontario Community Newspapers

The Era (Newmarket, Ontario), January 28, 1970, p. 5

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Pray theres no retaliation Aurora nurse North was working in a hospital before the secessionist republic collapsed Here she tells of those final days and of her evacuation Sao Tome January 13 My dear friends Im sitting on a long palm tree projecting into the turquoise ocean some six feet away Everythings quiet expect the swishing of the sea a little red snail Is moving sideways across the sand and far off to the right are two large ships full of relief supplies awaiting offloading but temporarily delayed because of the sudden change in the war Change Three nights ago one was sitting bleary eyed in the front of a 15 ton lorrj words our Neurological Unit at January 10 Dr Okorafor the Public Relations Officer PRO from Psychiatric Unit and myself went to the vehicle Orlu about miles north Six hours later we learn ed that Nigerians began shooting at the shoe factory about mile from our form er new site The move had not been too We were hearing heavy guns tt Ihe new site as well though Reports said Nigerians were advancing rapidly from Okigwe and towards They were everywhere The roads were choked with vehicles and masses of fear ful exhausted humanity moving i the other hospital could transfer their goods to a new site theyd found miles away We spent four hours there waiting for drivers etc and discussed many things being what use a European indeed persecution might be more intense if Europeans were there Also if everyone ran at the last moment what would they do with the European how could Ihey care for them was to recall this later thai day It had been Hi months since I washed my hair and 1 kepi trying to get away to that stream to wash it but in terruption acute ward was in a mess hadnt been turned cleaned or in the topsyturvy atmosphere 1 for They were being hospital an Elementary School the Armed Forces Hospital which cared for shell- shock soldiers and who needed psy chiatric care were trying to take over the school because they hail no other sing patients helped push our wheelchair cases but some of them couldnt hear so there was danger theyd push them into vehicle All our hospital supplies large bags of relief goods drugs beds mat- piled in front of a room mudhouse Our army and nursing per sonnel slept under a tree nearby and at night 2 kerosene lamps a guarded them out Mrs the Catering and Clementina my maid ap peared the door come and eat Who furniture in an attempt to make A bigger Two Europeans sud denly appeared incongruously into this Youre to be ready hours The Nigerians have reached Hospital and i strip may he closed off before we get there Numbness A patients our unsettled bos pital my loved and respected colleagues under such pressure Such short notice In tears collecting those Senior colleagues together informing them of the news Blindly still numbly one mov ed Not yel unpacked from the evacua tion one simply gave out batteries pens pair of shoes any goods that they Tell the patients They would Ben the Scripture Union boy whose letter I read to many of you was called Hed learned how to play my ukulele and wanted to return it to me Hes got it now Dear Bon read from John 14 then led us in pray ers asking even then that anyone who didnt know the Lord personally would accept Him right then and there for only from that source could the inner peace and strength they were going to need be obtained as we got into the wait ing he was humming Jesus I am the only one not crying not outwardly sad hut firm in Jesus and no one else Hell be one of the leaders even the adults will turn to at this time I know At pm that evening people and left Uli Airstrip and landed in Sao Tome Hi Last night one found nobody there but heard Taint shooting In the Three days ago we had been up for hours evacuating the hospital Everyone worked together in on effort to mo the helpless patients One re joiced at he timing the supply of vehicles agreement of the Psychiatric observers arc being allowed into he enclave as BBC news calls it and yesterday BBC warned all Britishers to get out of the enclave to stay away from towns and villages Why Its impos sible to get out now and too compacted to stay clear of anywhere but more im portant what is going to be done lhat their presence Is not wanted PRAY that retaliatory by the Niger- in y CHE 1B Newmarket IN YORK COUNTY CHECK WITH Niamwklt FOR THE FINEST SELECTION IN BR0ADL00M fact smokescreen of words about relief personnel going in when in keep coming up that they cant come During that time God alone knows what could have taken place We whove just come out know all the roads between Orlu lhialn Port Ilarcourt etc ore service able Small bridges which may have been damaged are easily repaired The Imo River Bridge between Umuahia and Orlu lime The Nigerian army well Push for Neutral Observe to London from here by January 14 then Switzor- and the League of the lied Cross personnel to MEDICAL SCIENCES PHARMACY OF NEWMARKET LTD DAVIS DR NEWMARKET opposite York County Hospital OPEN EVERY NITE TIL PM 7 DAYS A WEEK And speaking of expenses it should be pointed out that the cost of living in Ottawa is the highest in Canada There is also no travel cost paid for oven while going to the riding for meals travel within the riding long dis tance charges within the riding or telegrams nor Is

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