Etta: From Refugee Camp to Rescue Camp
Nurse Etta had been held captive in the hospital for several days forced to care for wounded and dying soldiers. The Liberian civil war had had left no one untouched. Earlier that year, Etta’s husband had gone to work and never came home. She found his body dumped near the road – killed by soldiers. So, when a military officer beat Etta with the butt-end of his gun, she decided she must escape the confines of the hospital. Her shift was definitely over! Silently she slipped through a service door and dashed to a nearby grove of trees.
From where she hid, she could see a procession of trucks entering the grounds of a nearly rubber plantation. The vehicles were loaded with guns, ammunition – and more soldiers. She spent three long days hiding in the bushes. Then when things became quiet, she crept out of the dense brush and walked briskly to the road.
She was promptly intercepted by two soldiers. The first soldier asked, “Where have you been?” “I was scared and hiding in the bushes,” Etta answered politely. The second soldier asked, “What have you seen?”
Her heart raced. Etta explained, “I was frightened. I was exhausted and fell asleep. I saw nothing. I need to go home to my children.” The first soldier held his gun barrel firmly to Etta’s trembling face as the two men quarreled about whether to release or execute her. After what seemed like an eternity, her life was spared and she was sent on her way.
Etta’s home had been destroyed while she was away. But fortunately, Etta soon found her children safe at her sister’s home. Everywhere she turned, more violence erupted. Etta and her children walked day and night to find safety in another town, but the war followed. Their grueling trek led them to the border where they crossed into Guinea. The family was later transferred to a refugee camp in Ghana where they lived for five years. Etta and her children finally found peace in the United States in 1998. Life was good.
Then just a couple of years ago, Etta had hip replacement surgery. Her severe arthritis and asthma hampered her recovery and Etta became weak, lethargic and isolated. That’s when Etta was referred to Volunteers of America–Minnesota’s North DayElders program which offers care and a variety of activities for older adults who need support during the day. The program helped Etta regain her strength and spirit – and heal. Today, Etta is still independent at age 83. She continues to live in her own Minneapolis apartment home and attends the DayElders program three days a week.
When asked what she likes best about our DayElders program, Etta enthusiastically reported, “It’s like a rescue camp. This is like a second family. I couldn’t be more comfortable and relaxed.” Etta then explained how our program helps her get out of the house and remain active. She said it’s good for both emotional and spiritual well-being and “you feel like you’re human again.”
Last summer, Etta had an opportunity to go back to Liberia to visit one son who remains there. While she enjoyed her visit, she explained, “Liberia is still not safe. I have no desire to move back to the country of my birth. I am thankful and proud to be an American.”