First Day Back

I arrived back in Sierra Leone last night. The flight was the quietest I’ve ever been on with probably less than 40 passengers and some of them were carrying onto Liberia. The first change was obvious as soon as we got off the plane, we had to wash our hands in a chlorine solution and have our temperature taken, most airport staff were wearing gloves and some were wearing masks and suits.

 

The next big change is that people aren’t touching – no shaking hands, no hugging…..that is taking some getting used to, but it is good to know that most people are taking this thing seriously…….although I have spoken to a couple of people who think there is no such thing as Ebola, fortunately these are in the minority

 

I took some gloves to Dr Koroma at Waterloo Hospital today, a couple of days ago the Doctor emailed me to let me know they had run out of gloves at the hospital…..can you imagine trying to prepare a hospital for the possibility of Ebola with no gloves? I had bought a fair few with me so took some up to the hospital this afternoon, hopefully enough to keep the doctor going until he can buy some.

 

Thank you so much to everyone who has made a donation for the Waterloo Hospital as it prepares for Ebola. I took the first donations to the hospital today….. these will be used to buy gloves, disinfectants, drugs, IV’s etc. The doctor was going out straight away to try to source some gloves.

The hospital has prepared a room to be used as an isolation room if they receive any suspected Ebola cases…..now thanks to the generous donations we’ve received they can also purchase the items necessary to keep their staff safe and take care of the patients.

 

There are more donations pledged and still more needed – if you would like to make a donation please let me know.

 

Back to Freetown

I'm travelling back to Sierra Leone today. I know that a lot of people don't think I should go and won't understand my reasons for going while the country has declared a state of emergency......

I have prayed long and hard about this......Bob and I have spent hours and days talking this over and praying about it......we have decided together that I should go ahead.

My reasons for going are many and varied, but please be assured that this isn't a decision that we have taken lightly.

I am planning to do the most urgent work as quickly as possible then review the situation and decide whether to return to the UK or stay on until  my planned departure (I have to go back to the UK for my niece's wedding)

I know that people will be worried but at this time the UK Foreign and Commonwealth office aren't warning against travel to Sierra Leone in general, just to the areas where Ebola is most prevalent.

Also, in the most recent statement from the WHO (World Health Organisation) they do not recommend any travel or trade restrictions for Sierra Leone

I would, as always, appreciate prayer for myself, the people I work with, the sponsored students and their families,  Doctor Koroma and the hospital at Waterloo and for Sierra Leone as a nation.

 

Sponsorship Scheme

If you've seem my recent Newsletter you will know that I'm no longer volunteering with Mission Direct, but have moved on to start a new venture.

Back in 2009 I setup the Sierra Leone education sponsorship scheme under Mission Direct and its grown to the point where that is now what I want to concentrate on. Mission Direct have handed the sponsorship scheme over to our new organisation.

Earlier this year we I wrote to all of the sponsors and supporters asking if they would transfer their sponsorship to the new organisation - I fully expected that we would lose some sponsors. I have been so overwhelmed by the response from our sponsors and supporters. We have had only two people who were donating to the education fund with Mission Direct decide not to transfer to us.

The words of encouragement and support that I have received have been incredible.

Thank you everyone who has been in touch to offer their support, help and prayers

We always need more sponsors and we have a waiting list of students needing to be sponsored.....if you would like more information please email me or if we are already friends contact me on Facebook

Urgent Request from Dr Koroma - Preparing for Ebola

Dr Koroma from the Waterloo SDA Hospital has contacted me with a request for assistance with preparing in case they receive suspected cases of Ebola.

 

They urgently need the following:

• Gloves - a huge amount of gloves
• Hand sanitizers
• Antiseptic Solutions
• Disinfectant

 

The drugs urgently needed to treat the complications such as diarrhoea and vomiting fevers and to correct the dehydration such as:

• IV fluids (a lot!!!)
• Chloramphenicol
• Metronidazole
• Ciprolox

 

They also have other diarrhoea cases and some Cholera cases, so they need a lot of IV fluids.

 

All of this can be purchased in Sierra Leone - if anyone feels they are able to help with a financial donation so that hospital can purchase the items listed above please let me know - I will happily take any donations with me to Sierra Leone to pass onto the hospital.

 

Another, very important issue for the hospital is they do not have a mortuary - when patients die they are currently left in the ward until the corpse is collected.....at busy times a corpse might be kept in the waiting room, the corridor or even in the doctors office until it is collected. If this is something you think you might be able to donate towards please let me know.

For more information on how to help either contact me on Facebook or click here to email me
 

 

Drama in Aldi

What an eventful trip to Aldi! We stopped off for a few bits on the way home from work and were waiting at the till to be served when there was an almighty commotion.......a shop lifter had tried to leave the store and security stopped him assisted by two other member of staff.....then a customer also stepped in to help and got hold of his feet.

The suspected thief was hollering and swearing and biting the people trying to restrain him. He was being held on the floor and all the doors were locked, so there was nothing else to do but watch and listen. The guy had been caught with two bottles of alcohol on his bag....he begged to be allowed to make a run for it, then said that he was military and that he'd lose his job if he was arrested, then he said that he was going to pass out, then he was going to be sick......I think he tried every trick he could think of, but they weren't going to let him go. It took the police about 20 minutes to get there and they quickly had the thief cuffed and marched off with him. We weren't allowed to leave until he had been arrested.

It was quite scary, but I was impressed with the staff that dealt with it and the customer that assisted......I don't think our thief will be pinching from there again in a hurry

(btw I'm in the UK at the moment)