SARAH GRILE

Patrick Poopei, 7, walks with his father, William, through the Red Light District in Liberia. When William's uncle became ill in 2014 and traveled to Monrovia for care, his wife took care of him. She also became ill. William took his wife to several clinics to help find a cure for her but she later died in his arms.  Soon after, William and his son, Patrick, both started showing similar symptoms. William's nephew convinced them to go to the Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) where they both tested positive and were treated. They both survived. 

William washes clothes outside of his home. As the sole provider, he now has taken over many jobs that his wife did in the past. 

Patrick, from left, plays with his brother, Jeremiah, at their home. Jeremiah never contracted Ebola while it was spreading through his family. “I try to give Patrick and Jeremiah toys and things I can afford”, William says. “When I can’t, I say, ‘My man, I can’t afford (it). Let us bear (it)for now.’” 

Patrick plays under the veranda during a heavy rain. Whenever William, his father, leaves the house, Patrick (at home) always wants to know where he is going, how long he will be out, and when he will return.

William and Patrick walk towards Patrick's school in Paynesville, a suburb of Monrovia. 

“I am the father and I am the mother,” said William, who registers Patrick for school. He says, “I got all the forms and information. Before, when I was at work, my wife used to do all of this. Take them (Patrick and Jeremiah) to school and bring them back. Now, all the burden I have been taking it.”

William walks with Patrick to the lumber yard in Paynesville, Liberia. 

Patrick sits with his father, William, while  spending time at the lumber yard where he used to work before contracting the disease. William spent all of his savings on paying for medical bills when trying to save his family and could not afford to start his business again. Over 15 of his family members passed away from the disease. 

William helps Patrick get ready for school at their home. 

Patrick attends school on the first day after summer break. 

“It costs (lots of) money to put Patrick and Jeremiah in a good school. But I want him and his brother to have a good education and be independent, and be able to live good lives,” William says.

Patrick hugs his father, William, while at school. “We don’t talk about it, but I know he misses his mother. In the morning, he gets close to me and hugs me like he did with his mother,” William says. In 2016, William passed away from an illness and Patrick and Jeremiah would later move to the United States to live with a family member.