Born in Cairo, Egypt, in September of 1909, Jerica Imansi was already a fighter. Born with jaundis, Jerica's parents dreaded the approaching death of their only daughter and first born. Having no access to a doctor or a hospital or any medical treatments, Jerica's future looked dim. But, suprisingly, 3 weeks later, Jerica began to function and act like a normal baby. Her parents were thrilled. Jerica grew up alone on a desrted bank of the Nile River, with only her parents and a pet lizard named Eu (pronounced "you") to keep her company. Just 13 years after Jerica was born, her mother drowned in a flood from the Nile River that wiped out the land during the rainy season. Fearing that his and Jerica's lives were also in danger, Palio, gathered up their few remaning posessions and took his daughter with him to live in a nearby village. Only when they arrived, they discovered that 3/4 of the village had been completely destroyed and only one hut and 3 villagers remained. The 5 crowded into the tiny hut, where they lived, rather uncomfortably, for 3 days and 4 nights. The rain grew heavier. The village was drowning and they all knew that they must leave at once. The 5 set off just in time. As they looked back at the village, they saw the hut get swept under the rushing river. They never saw their homes again. They walked for days trying to escape the flood. All of the villages had been destroyed and now, Jerica was sick with pnemonia from all of the rain. Palio and Kiawesi, one of the travelers from the village, took turns carrying the dying Jerica on their backs. Clea, the only woman, tried to prepare nurishing meals with the bits of wet barley, oats, and beans that they managed to escape the waters with. But the food was running low and they had to be even more careful with their rations. In, what is to be believed, late July of 1923, the old man, Nairo, died after being drowned in his sleep. The others just managed to escape before the waters took their lives to. They could only watch helplessly as their beloved friend, sailed down the rushing waters of the Nile. Jerica grew worse and death was predicted to happen within days. But, luckily, the rain began to slow and lighten until in early September, the rain ceased completely. The 4 travelers were overwhelmed with joy, but also greif. If they could not get Jerica medical attention soon, she was surely dead. Only 3 days later, while sleeping in a big tree in the northeast of the Sahara Desert, a band of nomads spotted the weary travelers. They helped them down and gave Jerica immediate medical attention. Jerica regained conciousness the next day. (She had been unconcious for almost 2 days.) Jerica, Palio, Kiawesi, and Clea joined the band and they took them to the nearest village, which was over 18 miles away in Sudan. There they stayed for many more years. Jerica was so exstatic when she learned of all of the love and help that was given to her by her father, Kiawesi, Clea and the nomads, that she vowed to become the first woman doctor in the land to help those in need as she was. Jerica did become a doctor and even saved Kiawesi's life 8 years later after he was nearly killed by a hungary lioness. Jerica saved many lives and was known throughout the desert as Jerica, Desert Doctor. Jerica died on September 1, 1987. She was 78 years old. She was laid to rest beside her beloved father, Palio, who had died of unknown causes just 4 years earlier. As far as we know, they lay there still. Under the big tree beside the great Nile River in the east Sahara Desert. The same tree where they were rescued by the band of nomads. Clea and Kiawesi were buried there also. And a tombstone for both, Kiali, Jerica's mother, and Nairo, the old man who died during their travels, are there too. Jerica, the desert's first woman doctor, is remembered for all of the pain, torture, sickness, and adventures that she had to conquer to become the great doctor that she was. JERICA IMANSI 1909-1987
