Guess who came to play?

Little Yanis, now a nice young boy, our landlord's son, has been visiting us at our Loft since a few years now whenever he visits his father. He lives in London with his mom, also a dear friend of ours. 

Kavita is at least 5 years than him but Yanis was a good sport and played with her a little bit. 

Kavita herself brings so much joy and colour to our office days and, when other children come to visit, our Loft transforms into a magical play land. 

He does.

She does.

They do.

Yanis shows Kavita how to j-u-m-p on the trampoline.

Jump!

Now for some Dr Seus

Why was this Wednesday so Wacky, Yanis wonders?

And, now for some Jungle Jives and tea.

We draw the animals from the Jungle Jive book.  

Check out my giraffe! :-)

Whose giraffe is cooler?

And, how's my flamingo?

After much resistance, Yanis gives in and watches Max and Ruby with Kavita.

We can't talk right now, we're on the phone.

Afterwards I had lots of fun stitching photos together and,
finding new unusual frames for them. 
The website I used is Fotor. 

Afterwards I had lots of fun stitching photos together and,
finding new unusual frames for them. 
The website I used is Fotor.

New Africa Technology Company supports marriage equality

New Africa Technology Company is proud to display rainbow colours on its logo in support of the historic marriage equality Supreme Court ruling in the US.

Saturday at the office

Guess who has come to play?

Our neighbor's son, Abbas, often comes to play with Kavita. Here are some pictures of their shenanigans. 

A day at NATC

Photos by Luca Varaschini 

An ad for the Liberia Yellow Pages

This is an ad designed by our very own Luca Varaschini for the Liberia Yellow Pages. 

Protecting your internet for you

Contributed by Luca Varaschini

Even on sundays, NATC won't rest! 

As you can see, infact, the Head of Operations, Mr. Haresh K. - concerned about optimal internet access for the companys' clientele - keeps an eye on the ocean, checking that no boat, submarine or fish dare disturb the ACE cable system  (ACE: African Coast to Europe).

Sad Day

Naomi with her daughter Roshel at the NLTC office, September 2009

NATC would like to inform its readers with a very heavy heart that Naomi Zeinabu Meh passed away on Friday, 2 August. 

Naomi was suffering from a cancerous tumour which ruptured and, finally took her life. A bright and unforgettable personality, Naomi had been battling this disease and TB for several years. During this time, she even had her leg amputated at Firestone Hospital. Still, she struggled to fight her illness, live with the loss of a limb and take care of her little daughter, all the while also dealing with a difficult marriage. She was separated and, was constantly fighting to receive alimony from her estranged husband. 

We know Naomi since she worked at NATC's predecessor, NLTC. We witnessed her suffering and, decided to help her out. 

We financed her trip to India for diagnosis and treatment. We blogged about her stay in India and, wrote an update Update on Naomi Meh - "Help NATC Save a Life" when she came to back to Liberia. 

We wish we could have done more to help her and, had the financial resources at our disposal to send her back to India for a second round of treatment. We feel helpless and full of grief at how much she suffered in life and, lost her battle to disease, leaving behind her daughter. 

Living and working in a poor country like Liberia where medical care is at such a pitiful state that one feels the average Liberian stands no chance if hurt or ill. Cancer, if detected early, can be treated but where is the hope in Liberia where hospitals and clinics are not fully equipped or staffed? 

Company blogs are meant to be upbeat and positive but today we are full of sorrow. May her soul rest in peace. 

Update on Naomi Meh - "Help NATC Save a Life"

Dear friends,

As you know, NATC sponsored the medical treatment of a young Liberian woman, Naomi Zeinabu Meh, by sending her to India. The girl was suffering from acute pain and given the pure lack of medical care in country, it was not clear what was wrong with her. She even had a leg amputated unnecessarily by doctors at Firestone Hospital. We knew Naomi as an employee of NLTC (NATC's predecessor) and seeing her awful condition decided to send her to India for diagnosis so at least to figure out what was wrong with her. Naomi was sent to India in October and has undergone diagnosis and treatment. 

We blogged about the case "Help NATC Save a Life" previously and sought contributions from friends and community members. 

We are pleased to inform you that NATC has finally managed to pay off the remaining hospital fees and have brought Naomi Zeinabu Meh safely back to Liberia on 21 March. The total  hospital bill was 510,000 Indian Rupees (USD 10,250.00) and we managed to pay off almost all of it although there is a pending amount of 70,000 Rupees (USD 1,400.00). Naomi was discharged from the hospital after Haresh's daughter, Ms. Kamna, signed a personal bond. We also spent USD 2,500.00 on her travel expenses. 

A local Mumbai pharmacy (Bandra Medical) donated the medications just before Naomi left India which was worth USD 120.00. These are medicines to be taken for long-term. 

Copies of the Discharge Card from Nanavati Hospital, Dr Barve's Report as well as various receipts are available on request.

Naomi was in India for a total of 5 months during which - as you can see from the reports -  Naomi was given extensive medical treatment for the TB and radio therapy for the carcinoma (the tumour in her pelvic region). The doctors have advised excision of the tumour at a later stage when her lung condition permits and when the finances are available. 

Noami visited us in the office last week and she really looks much healthier and she told me she is in much less pain. 

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude for the moral and financial support you gave us without which we would not have been able to see this through. 

If you would like to ask us any more information, please feel free to do so. Let's hope that Liberia's state of medical care improves. 

Sincerely,

Farzana and Haresh