January 16, 1997
Two weeks ago, a band of white men came over. They were not missionaries, like Mrs. Wembley, but scientists, they explained. They said that there was an epidemic of fever, and that if we wanted to survive we needed to be vaccinated. That is a strange thing, because no one from any of the other villages had told of any fever of some sort.
I was firmly against such a vaccination; my instincts told me that something was wrong about these people. I forbade Kamaria from taking it as well, but she did not need much goading from me. Many of the villagers, however, did line up to take this strange medicine, giving into the strange persuasions of those white men.
It is not that the medicine may be poison, but one never knows. The government right now here is very corrupt, and they are known to have deals with international companies far, far away. I have a suspicion that these people are working for these companies. There is much greed that resides outside our borders.
What has marked my suspicions? On the tents they reside in is a large symbol of red and white, with the word "UMBRELLA" marked underneath it in large letters. The scientists, thinking that no one knew English in this tribe (they used a few interpreters), spoke at length about a "virus," of which I am not sure what it is about. Not only that, but they referred to the villagers as "test subjects." I have only told Kamaria of these suspicions, but I'm not sure how much she understands.
In secret the villagers have dispatched me to the capital to see where these white men came from, because I am the only literate person here. I fear the worst.
Kamaria, stay safe. I will be back with God's will.