Give Me This Mountain

The ancient culture that lives in the mountains of Sierra Leone bears the footprints of a long colonial history. Also the country has suffered grievously from the world’s lust for diamonds. Diamonds that should have made the land prosperous, created chaos instead. Here too, we find other landscapes of body, mind, and spirit. The mountain to be conquered in this story richly blends two elements. First, the Masanga Leprosarium/Hospital and its international, entreprenurial staff contributed much toward the control of leprosy and its rehabilitation. A major medical breakthrough of the 20th century, Second, the institution provided unusual educational and spiritual opportunities for the young people who came there to work and to learn. David Turay, MD, has become an exemplar of these bright, diligent youth who have expanded their careers into many professions. Having already scaled several peaks, Dr. Turay still pursues his lifetime commitment to professional and spiritual mountaineering. He does so with humility and grace.