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| The river Nile in winter time |
It's winter in Sudan. Compared to the current cold weather conditions in most parts of Europe, the Sudanese weathers are still quite hot. The temperature during the day is approximately 35°C, while the night temperature here is around 23°C . The impact of this winter period in Sudan is significant though. I spoke to Mohamed, one of Frank's colleagues, yesterday and he sighed that he was worried about his four-year-old son. He explained that he had been to hospital with him, because he had been coughing and sneezing a lot. The doctor had prescribed some medicines and a clear advice: "
Your son must wear a coat when he is playing outside!". This sounded like a good advice, but after having bought a small coat, it seemed to be extremely difficult to make the little boy wear it. Mohamed looked at me and explained that he actually understood his son resistance: "
How can a child play freely when he has to wear a coat? It is too heavy and uncomfortable to wear!" I started smiling and I told him that most children in Holland have to wear a coat throughout the year, sometimes even with two or three layers of clothes underneath it. He frowned his eyebrows and said he felt sorry for these children.
. After a short pause he eventually saw one positive side of it: "
If the child falls, then at least he won't feel it!"
