While seeking some information about Malaria, I got interesting information that the word ‘Malaria’ has come from Italy from 18th century. The word mala meaning “bad” and aria mean “air”. It was previously believed that Malaria was caused by foul air in marshy areas and named so.

The reason I was interested about Malaria was that, I actually got infected by it twice recently.

After I started my tour in Africa, I have been facing number of challenges and a lot of them regarding my health but I now feel none was as severe as malaria.

Once I drank an unhealthy water while travelling through the solitary road from North Sudan to Ethiopia after I got sort of water while pedaling middle of nowhere.The result of which led me to suffer badly with stomach problems and vomiting.

I had always managed to move strongly ahead on my journey despite of some minor health problems.

Zambia I and some friends were in the same camp site. Some days later, 4 friends were diagnosed with Malaria and it was my luck that I was safe. The same had happened in different other places as Cameroon, Argentina, Bolivia, Uganda too.

But Life is not always the same. On April 2013, I was in Democratic Republic of Congo and I got caught by the ‘bad air’(malaria) of DR Congo.

on my previous blog, I had to take rest for a very long period of time there. I was not completely fine, but I had to leave my friends’ company in DR Congo to move ahead in my journey as my visa to DR Congo had expired. I left. I was already scared and with the statistics I have then been through that Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo account for more than 40% of all malaria deaths worldwide I was threatened.

On my way I am confident, strong and determined to move ahead as pedaling with 95 KG of tailor needs it.

But after DR Congo, albeit I was determined, I felt I was not strong and I was not that Confident. Insecurity led me while I passed ahead from Republic of Congo ahead on my journey. Before that, I was not that scared to be in desolate lands not scared of wild animals or reptiles but then, it arose within me. Still with the zeal I carry boosted by the support and encouragement of people around the world I moved ahead through heat, thunder or heavy shower and I was so delighted to be in Liberia, 100th country of my tour.

Liberia was full of joy and fruitful to share my message of Peace and Environmental Protection.

Days were going good and smooth before 19th of October when I had a severe back pain and a bad headache. The pain was mild at the beginning which was hard and I felt almost turned apart with the pain late night. It was very hard for me that day to sleep. I was already having headache from the past 10 days and it was intolerable then. I missed my family very much. That night, I didn’t sleep at all and I spoke to my wife for a very long period of time.

Next day, on 20th of October, with the support of SP Gopal Gurung, Raju Shrestha and with reference of Dr. Samridhi Basnet I went for a blood check. I was diagnosed with Malaria-bad air once again. I was given with 6 injection and some medicines against malaria. After the doses were complete, it was a surprise that I was no different.

Then, Doctors instructed me to get admitted and I had to be in bed for 6 days under medication. Very rarely in my life I have been hospitalized or used injections. And after so many days, I was not yet cured.

That moment I was thrilled because I was badly suffered from Malaria. This life threatening blood disease was in me. I had already heard about the Major of Pakistani Peacekeeping Unit who lost his life just some days ago before and a blue helmet peacekeeper from Philippines who too lost his life in Liberia because of malaria. Others too were facing severe problems in Liberia because of Malaria.

The African Region accounts for 85% of malaria cases and 90% of deaths worldwide. In the statistics of 2010 there were more than 6 million people died from malaria and I was really scared to add a number to it – literally.

Though, after some days in hospital and heavy medication I was able to move ahead.

I feel my memory has been not strong as before but I am still determined to move ahead. Doctors and Nurses from FPU 1 Nepal specially Dr. Samriddhi Basnet and Lekh Raj Shrestha’s have supported me a lot to get well and move ahead with the message of Peace and Harmony.
Furtemba Sherpa