Medical aid group makes the trek to Gabon's 'poorest of the poorest'

Libreville, Gabon

"HERE you're in the heart of precarious living," said one of Gabon's first medical responders in Kolo Ngoum, a grubby shanty suburb of Libreville that has seen no doctors in ages.

Residents initially expressed surprise at the arrival of an ambulance belonging to the SAMU-Social (Service for Urgent Medical Aid), but once they see stethoscopes and other common instruments, they smiled with reassurance. "This is a good initiative," said Natanael, in his 30s and sporting dreadlocks. "We thought all this was reserved for other people."