The following photo essay based on a recent trip to Ivory Coast was shot by award-winning photographer Mike DuBose. (Part I). See UMNS site for original coverage. Dubose currently works for United Methodist Communications in Nashville, Tennessee. Previously, he was a photojournalist with The Tennessean, The Knoxville News-Sentinal and the 1982 World’s Fair. See Part II.
The Rev. Marcel Sachou (right) uses a video presentation to describe ways to help parishioners prevent Ebola at Temple Bethel United Methodist Church in Abobo-Baoule, outside Adidjan. At left is the Rev. Esaïe M’Ye Gnamien, the district superintendent.
Isabelle Ake sings during worship at Temple Bethel United Methodist Church in Abobo-Baoule, outside Adidjan. Although worship in this West African country is still exuberant, the threat of Ebola is changing the way people interact.
United Methodist Scouts from the Ivoirian Scouting Federation dispense hand sanitizer to parishioners arriving for worship at Temple Bethel United Methodist Church in the Abobo-Baoule neighborhood of Abidjan.
Parishioners listen to a presentation on ways to help prevent Ebola at Temple Bethel United Methodist Church.
Parishioners mimic proper hand-washing procedures during a presentation on ways to help prevent Ebola at Temple Bethel United Methodist Church.
Dr. Patrice Djana describes the measures he would take if he were to receive an Ebola patient at the Formation Sanitaire Urbaine Communautaire hospital in Abobo-Baoule.
Alexandre Amani, a student at the Methodist University of Côte d’Ivoire in Abidjan, watches the animated video “Ebola: A Poem for the Living.”
A poster detailing the signs of Ebola is taped to a door at Dabou Methodist Hospital in Dabou, hub of the church’s healthcare system in this West African nation.
Frequent hand washing has become the norm in Côte d’Ivoire as church and public health officials raise warnings about the Ebola virus.
Fishermen walk past their boats in Monogaga.
A young girl shares the road with passing goats in the fishing community of Monogaga.
Chief André Djirika Djeli (center) and village elders walk through the fishing community of Monogaga.
Boh Lion, a fisherman and village elder, walks up the steps of the abandoned health clinic in Monogaga. Lion says the clinic has not been used since the doctor left some years ago.
Boh Lion, a fisherman and village elder, walks through the abandoned health clinic in Monogaga. Lion says the clinic has not been used since the doctor left some years ago. The village chief says he hopes The United Methodist Church will reopen the clinic.
Henry Jöel Koman, 8, recites his lesson at The United Methodist Church’s primary school in Kounouko. The village chief praised the church’s success in raising the literacy rate.
The second part of Mike Duboise’s photo essay to follow.
