Restoring Healthcare to Women and Girls in Liberia

Last month for the first time Community Leaders, representing all 33 of the communities we serve in the Kakata District, took time to meet together and discuss community healthcare programs and needs.   Detailed statistics of patient visits and education programs over the past year were shared for each community and a summarized assessment of the overall health situation across the district was presented.   Work is now underway to prioritize the health needs in each community and to develop specific action plans for the coming year.  New education programs and clinic services are already being implemented by Dr. Chris and her team.  

The outstanding generosity of our donors over the summer has enabled us to extend and accelerate plans in many areas.

• Funds have been raised to cover over 85% of the estimated cost of construction of the Medical Center facility, allowing us to focus our efforts on raising funds for medical equipment, furniture, and fixtures.
• Margibi Senator Oscar Cooper arranged for a road grader from the Ministry of Transporation to clear the road and vacant land where the clinic is to be built, eliminating a major cost to the project and shortening the schedule.
• A major burden was lifted when a Virginia-based construction management group offered not only to take over project management of the clinic construction, but also to cover the cost of full time on-site management in the coming year. 
• A church in Illinois pledged half their 2013 Thanksgiving Missions offering to fully fund the project for the desperately needed 4X4 truck for Dr Chris, which is expected to be purchased and shipped in the very near future. 
• Over 500 pounds of medications and supplies were received from U.S. donors to restock the clinic.  In addition 200,000 abendazole tablets (worm medication) funded by a church in Arizona were shipped. 
• Ten wheelchairs were donated from a group in Monrovia, Liberia, which were quickly redistributed to those in need around Kakata.
• Clemson UMC Women in South Carolina provided colorful new dresses for many of our little girls.
• Through the donation of more sewing machines, the sewing project has quickly grown from five to fifteen, the youngest of which is a very talented eight year old. 
• Dr. Chris was recently honored by Margibi Senator Cooper when he asked her to serve as the Margibi County Health Coordinator.   

It is with deep gratitude that I send this report. 

Thank you all for your continuting support for our work in Liberia.

Links:

• Healthy Women, Healthy Liberia website