Mrs. Hannah Fofanah is one of twenty-eight participants in the initial microfinance class, launched in February of 2017. As the grandmother and caregiver of Child Rescue Centre student Lucy Kamara, Hannah was invited to enroll in the first class, which was offered to 30 parents and caregivers who were struggling to make ends meet. The microfinance program was designed to help vulnerable families acquire the tools they need to become financially stable.
Many of the CRC students are in the care of grandparents or other family members, sometimes because they've lost their parents, and sometimes because they have been removed from the home by Sierra Leone social services. Hannah cares for seven additional grandchildren, supporting them all by selling firewood, charcoal, and now handmade soap. Her granddaughter Lucy attends UMC Njagboima, where she is in Junior Secondary Class 2. After attending weekly classes at the CRC to learn about saving, budgeting and simple business management, Hannah reflected that she found it “very useful to be part of these classes...my little business used to dwindle since I was not saving, except I borrowed money from my colleague or from close family relatives to make up for my business again. But from the time I started attending classes I now know how to save some profit and never interfere with my capital.” Hannah’s family noticed the change almost immediately. “My grandchildren feel very happy for such opportunity and even help me with notes sometimes. I don’t have a husband anymore and even though I am getting old it is still important to learn and I am sure this will be put into practice to help me maintain my family.” Since receiving her small loan of approximately $70 in August, Hannah shared "having a loan I decided to expand my business... my whole family is happy for the loan." Hannah is also proud to report that all 8 of her grandchildren are attending school. The CRC staff recently visited Hannah at her place of business. Hannah has been steadily paying her loan payments since last fall, though recently that has been a struggle. Reports of incidents of violence related to the recent presidential election have meant that many people are not moving from their homes in order to remain safe, but she is hopeful to get back on track after the run-off scheduled for Saturday, March 31st.
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Mercy Hospital's new Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sao Amara, is settling in well at the hospital. Dr. Amara enjoys working closely with the staff, and is excited about the operating room. He is currently hard at work developing a list of equipment needed to get the OR up and running.
Dr. Amara has training and expertise in surgery, and is particularly interested in maternal health and surgery. These skills are especially critical for the hospital's expansion to include an operating theater. Dr. Amara's interest in maternal and child health is what initially drew him to Mercy, so he is excited to be working with the prenatal and nutrition programs, and plans to go on outreach after the elections. Recently, Dr. Amara co-led a staff training on pregnancy-induced hypertension with Matron Augusta Kpanabaum. Dr. Amara received a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences in 2014, and is awaiting the results of his Masters of Public Health from Njala University. Dr. Amara should feel right at home at Mercy, having graduated from the Bo Government Senior Secondary School. Dr. Sao K. Amara, Mercy’s new doctor and surgeon, and Matron Augusta recently engaged the Mercy maternity staff and Chief Health Officers on strategies for dealing with prolonged labor.
As they await the completion and equipping of the new wing and operating suite, the Mercy Hospital staff is focused on building staff skills that will help prepare the entire team to work together. Through regular on-site workshops and telemedicine, the staff continues to build their skills and knowledge. |
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April 2024
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