Archdeacon Bill Schwartz, Archdeacon Christopher Futcher, the Revd Canon Andy Bowerman and Revd Anne Futcher visited the Ras Morbat eye clinic in the city of Aden in April 2021. Since 2014, the clinic has focused exclusively on eye care. The clinic operates an open-door system: it treats everybody. Those who can, pay a small sum to see the doctor. The realisation was humbling.
War damage and poverty in the city were evident. Many buildings were ravaged. Wayside bushes were coated in such vast numbers of plastic bags, that they almost seemed deliberately decorated. Children played with balls or sticks among mounds of rubble, while dogs searched nearby for scraps of food. The cries of ravens provided a desolate soundtrack.
Despite the struggle, people were resolutely going about their everyday life. From a Yemeni person who spoke to Anne:
'We Yemenis have reason to give thanks five times a day'
Watch Anne's video of her visit here:
