If you missed our 2023 Impact Report, and reports of our planned empowerment strategies for the rest of 2024, and going into 2025, you will find a lot of the deep content in the HCW Empower Magazine Summer 2024 edition. In plotting our program trajectory over the next five years, HCW has leaned into core anchor statement No 5 and plans to do even more in this respect during 2025. We seek to strengthen and empower local ownership of the solutions, place control of mission direction and planning into the hands of the people who are closest to the problem, and balance the power between the Global North and Global South as we engage in mutual mission activities.

That's really a mouthful, isn't it? It's aspirational, sure, and it's a shift in past practices for both sides, but we are all on board with the idea that this is the way we want our world to work in the future, the way it was always intended to be.

As we look at the real world practical applications of this best practices theory, we try not to move too quickly or too slowly. Just as the case managers at the CRC are discovering in working with vulnerable families, as we seek to transfer assets and activities that are more properly managed locally, we recognize that our friends are operating in a vulnerable system, and we must only move at the fastest speed for transfer that our Global South partners can manage, but listen to their perception of what they can do, rather than standing behind the screen of our own biases.

In the next 12 to 24 months, please watch our blog posts for announcements of the activities our partners in Sierra Leone have elected to take over, and what we are learning about gracefully relinquishing control to balance power.  

After almost two years of fundraising and working on this project, Mercy Hospital has finally received a new X ray machine. This essential piece of equipment might seem commonplace in many medical facilities, but for Mercy Hospital and the community it serves, it's a giant leap forward in patient care.

Previously, diagnosing broken bones, internal injuries, and other ailments often meant referring patients to distant hospitals – a time-consuming and sometimes risky endeavor, especially for critical cases. With no other hospital in the Bo area having an X-ray machine, this often meant that patients would be referred to Freetown, 3 1/2 hours away. Now, with the X-ray machine on-site, Mercy Hospital can perform vital imaging procedures quickly and efficiently. This translates to faster diagnoses, more targeted treatment plans, and ultimately, better outcomes for patients.

Dr. Stevens, the Medical Doctor in Charge at Mercy, had this to say about the machine: "The new digital X-ray equipment will enhance our diagnostic capabilities, allowing us to provide faster, more accurate, and higher-quality imaging services to our patients. This upgrade will significantly improve patient care and support our mission to deliver exceptional healthcare services. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the donors whose unwavering support and generosity have made this possible. Your contributions are transforming healthcare in our community and beyond. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of many."

The impact goes beyond immediate patient care. Mercy Hospital's reputation within the community will undoubtedly be bolstered. Having access to in-house X-ray services strengthens Mercy's ability to provide comprehensive care, attracting more patients and solidifying its position as a trusted healthcare provider.

The arrival of this X-ray machine is more than just a technological advancement for Mercy Hospital. It's a powerful symbol of hope and progress in Healthcare in Sierra Leone. It represents a brighter future where quality healthcare is more accessible, diagnoses are more accurate, and treatments are more effective. This new technology will help to save lives and improve the overall health of the community.