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Our last morning in the village. A flurry of packing, giving gifts and saying our goodbyes. Many of us hope to return, but it’s hard to say when. Many people help get all our gear to the boats. A crowd waves from the jetty and we’re on our way to Warri.

When in Benekrukru last week, we had met a young girl badly burned in a fire nine months ago. She has yet to be seen at a hospital. Her wound hasn’t healed and she has suffered severe disfigurement. The pain must be unimaginable. Those of us who met her were deeply moved and troubled. Last night we decided to help. We stopped at her village and offered to transport her and her mother to Warri to get medical help at the government hospital there. We learned they could go tomorrow and have family to stay with in Warri. So we have arranged for a boat to pick them up and will help coordinate hospital services. Although to fully recover, she will likely need extensive surgery, at least we can ensure she’s seen by a physician and given relief from her pain. In this region of crying need at every turn, it’s something.

We reached Warri mid-afternoon and had an uneventful ride back to the hotel – a big accomplishment in this environment. We’re now settled in for a week of filming here as well as Asaba and Abuja.