ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Doctors, nurses, family members and an NBC cameraman fanned out across the hospital in an all-out search for Aden. But the 6-year-old managed to evade us as she flitted from patient to nursing station, the hospital staff shouting out her location in the hospital atrium: “She was just here, but I think she’s gone to visit pre-op!” 

Aden Eshetu had made lots of friends during her two-week hospital stay and seemed bent on seeing each and every one before her check-up. Suddenly she appeared in the corridor, strolling hand-in-hand with a nurse, an exuberant smile on her round face. She greeted her doctor with a big kiss on the cheek before hopping onto the examining table. 

Incredibly, Aden had not always been so full of vigor.

VIDEO: Medical surpluses save lives worlds away

“Before the treatment she couldn’t run properly,” explained her mother, Namestsigye Bire. ”She couldn’t play with her friends. But now she is OK.  She can play as long as she wants.”

“If she had not been treated at this hospital she would have suffered more and died,” said Bire, her eyes filling with tears.

…(read more)

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Doctors, nurses, family members and an NBC cameraman fanned out across the hospital in an all-out search for Aden. But the 6-year-old managed to evade us as she flitted from patient to nursing station, the hospital staff shouting out her location in the hospital atrium: “She was just here, but I think she’s gone to visit pre-op!” 

Aden Eshetu had made lots of friends during her two-week hospital stay and seemed bent on seeing each and every one before her check-up. Suddenly she appeared in the corridor, strolling hand-in-hand with a nurse, an exuberant smile on her round face. She greeted her doctor with a big kiss on the cheek before hopping onto the examining table. 

Incredibly, Aden had not always been so full of vigor.

VIDEO: Medical surpluses save lives worlds away

“Before the treatment she couldn’t run properly,” explained her mother, Namestsigye Bire. ”She couldn’t play with her friends. But now she is OK.  She can play as long as she wants.”

“If she had not been treated at this hospital she would have suffered more and died,” said Bire, her eyes filling with tears.

…(read more)

COPENHAGEN – By protest standards, the crowd wasn’t that big – about 2,500 people – but it was certainly loud and diverse. 

Anarchists, anti-capitalists, socialists and environmentalists all united to protest the fact that no deal has been struck yet among the 193 nations gathered in Copenhagen on how to solve the global climate crisis. 

Paul, a man who looked to be in his 20s and declined to give his last name, came from Germany. As we tried to chat with him, a few of his fellow protesters aimed some choice words at our NBC News team, deriding us as “corporate media.” 

SLIDESHOW: Protesters try to get their voice heard outside the U.N. Climate Conference in Copenhagen

Paul was helping to carry a banner that said “It’s our climate, not your business.” It was a popular chant along the protest route. Paul’s fervent belief in the message was also why he was walking through snow and cold and rain to deliver it.

He has no faith that government or big business can find a real answer to climate change. “No, they are the problem, they make the problems, why should we trust them?” he asked.
…(read more)