MOMS' Programs: Sierra Leone
Sierra Leonean mother
and child in a refugee
camp
and child in a refugee
camp
Midwives on Missions of Service
Mother and Child at a
clinic in Yele in the central
part of Sierra Leone
clinic in Yele in the central
part of Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is a poor but beautiful country in West Africa. MOMS' work is
currently centered south of Daru, in the village of Pellie (which is spelled in various
ways in official documents). Pellie does not appear on any commercial map we have
found. It lies in the Jawei Chiefdom, Kailahun District, in the Eastern Province.
Some of you may associate Sierra Leone with movies like "Blood Diamond", which is
about the civil war that ended about six years ago. While the war has ended, the
destruction of the country is still apparent in the lack of infrastructure, the lingering
trauma, and the maternal and child mortality rates: the worst in the world.
currently centered south of Daru, in the village of Pellie (which is spelled in various
ways in official documents). Pellie does not appear on any commercial map we have
found. It lies in the Jawei Chiefdom, Kailahun District, in the Eastern Province.
Some of you may associate Sierra Leone with movies like "Blood Diamond", which is
about the civil war that ended about six years ago. While the war has ended, the
destruction of the country is still apparent in the lack of infrastructure, the lingering
trauma, and the maternal and child mortality rates: the worst in the world.
Women in rural Sierra Leone are intelligent and experienced - and illiterate. So our
program leverages their ability to memorize, sing, and act. The program includes
hands-on practice and rotations in the clinic, under supervision. This helps them
learn to keep pregnancy and birth normal, and what to do if things do go wrong.
We tested the classes in summer 2007, with great success. Based on our findings,
we are developing the program to meet needs most effectively. In July 2008, we will
conduct another course and a refresher for those we trained earlier.
program leverages their ability to memorize, sing, and act. The program includes
hands-on practice and rotations in the clinic, under supervision. This helps them
learn to keep pregnancy and birth normal, and what to do if things do go wrong.
We tested the classes in summer 2007, with great success. Based on our findings,
we are developing the program to meet needs most effectively. In July 2008, we will
conduct another course and a refresher for those we trained earlier.
After the program is stable, we will train trainers and administrators to continue the
program independently. We will then work in other rural areas nearby, so the
provision of skilled care is available and consistent across the region. We will stay
until the people manage the program well, then cheerfully travel to other areas of
need. We expect the process to self-sufficiency will take between five and ten years.
program independently. We will then work in other rural areas nearby, so the
provision of skilled care is available and consistent across the region. We will stay
until the people manage the program well, then cheerfully travel to other areas of
need. We expect the process to self-sufficiency will take between five and ten years.
To read our "Dispatches" about these experiences, click here.
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Namesake in Pellie
Baby Sudy Satta waiting
with others for a checkup
Baby Sudy Satta waiting
with others for a checkup
While birth is a normal part of a woman's life, if she is malnourished or ill, she
can face serious problems. A trained birth attendant supports women of her village
during pregnancy, and reacts quickly and appropriately if something does go wrong.
can face serious problems. A trained birth attendant supports women of her village
during pregnancy, and reacts quickly and appropriately if something does go wrong.
Namesake in Pellie
Baby Christie Sallay at
registration
Baby Christie Sallay at
registration
Women and children
at the clinic in Pellie
for vaccinations,
checkups, and
education.
2% of women don't
survive giving birth,
and 45% of children
die before age 5.
This link goes to
some more pictures
in PDF format (so
you need Acrobat
Reader).
at the clinic in Pellie
for vaccinations,
checkups, and
education.
2% of women don't
survive giving birth,
and 45% of children
die before age 5.
This link goes to
some more pictures
in PDF format (so
you need Acrobat
Reader).
Paramount Chief Musa
Ngombuklah Kallon
Playing with children in
Pellie
Ngombuklah Kallon
Playing with children in
Pellie
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See our house in Freetown! Go to Google maps: click here. Find the oval
roundabout, then look south at the house with a red roof. Look south on that road,
about 8 houses. You'll see a house with a light roof with the ridge running east and
west. That's home!
roundabout, then look south at the house with a red roof. Look south on that road,
about 8 houses. You'll see a house with a light roof with the ridge running east and
west. That's home!
Flag of Sierra Leone
To learn more about our work in Sierra Leone, click here.