Empowering Ebola Orphans in Sierra Leone

Here a quick update on what we have been able to do so far with your support.  

In partnership with Door of Hope, we embarked on a door-to-door Ebola Prevention campaign in the Upper Mellon Street and Upper Beccle Street Community (Wellington / Freetown, Sierra Leone) on the 10th of August 2014.   The campaign had a dual focus because we realized that the community needed both information and also the supplies to help keep themselves safe - soap for washing of hands, Dettol for disinfecting water (added to water in buckets when taking baths).

1. Ebola Awareness – ensure the community had information about the deadly Ebola virus.  The team shared information on preventive steps that community members could take to keep themselves safe from infection.
2. Distribution of health / cleansing items.  The team distributed soap to 238 adults, youths and children.  98 bottles of Dettol disinfectant were given to family heads / heads of households.    This was in direct response to the expressed need for assistance in this area.

The beneficiaries expressed their thanks to GlobalGiving donors for caring so much and helping to ensure that they are safe at this difficult time in their history.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Health Workers Update: We received a 2nd and larger batch of supplies - see photo.  We are currently awaiting a final set of coveralls which should arrive today, Monday.  

We anticipate that our first air shipment of a very large box should leave Tennessee on Tuesday August 19th.  

I sent the photos of the PPE supplies that we have acquired so far to the Chief Medical Officer in Sierra Leone.  On Saturday, I talked with him on the phone with and he was very appreciative of what we have done so far.  He sent me a follow up text message where he described our gesture so far as "tremendous"!  He confirmed a definite, on-going need for equipment and I requested an updated wish list.  

It is because of YOUR support that we have been able to make such significant progress - meeting the most important, expressed needs.  

It is truly heart-warming and exciting to be a part of stopping this epidemic.

Your support is making a difference!  Thanks so much!

Links:

• Ebola Awareness and Cleansing / Health Supplies
• 2nd Batch Received - Personal Protective Equipment