Mount Kilimanjaro

Our intrepid explorer Cherry Wright is on her travels in September. No, not Mount Everest…..but to Mount Kilimanjaro. This is 2,000 feet higher than Base Camp on Mount Everest and, as Cherry herself has reminded me, she is a year older and this time, she’ll be camping, at -20C!!

Instead of sponsorship on this occasion Cherry is asking for donations to Licking Lassa Fever for our last push to £80,000. If you would like to support her and LLF please give/send your donations to her or me, or do it online via the web at http://www.everyclick.com/licking-lassa-fever/info . If you wish to use a cheque please make it payable to ‘SIWS Health Education & Hygiene Trust’ – postal adress available using the contact form. Giving permission for GiftAid would increase the amount by 25% – forms are available from http://licking-lassa-fever.org.uk/wp-content/themes/the-ideal-website-11/documents/gift-aid-declaration.pdf

Child beneficiaries

Mothers’ club members

On 27th April 2010,  Sierra Leone independence day, the Government of Sierra Leone  launched free health care services for children under five, pregnant women and breasting feeding mothers. This is to tackle the devastating mortality and morbidity rates among children and pregnant women. Most of SLRCS’s clinics will be used as Peripheral Health Units and will be supported by government.

Achievements this quarter:

1. Construction of 32 latrines is now under way.
2. 39 trainer volunteers in 13 villages received training on good hygiene and health practices.
3. 7,000 people were reached in an awareness-raising campaign on the prevention and control of Lassa Fever, Malaria and TB.
4. 341 children under 5 years were referred to the nearest health facilities for growth monitoring.
5. 542 children under 5 years of age were traced and referred for immunisation.
6. 520 Red Cross Volunteers in 13 branches participated in a Government led four-day nationwide Immunisation Campaign against Polio for children under 5 years. Vaccination of over 900,000 under fives was achieved against the crippling disease.
7. To promote safe and clean deliveries, SLRCS delivered hygiene materials to the District Health Management Team in Koinadugu branch. This included items such as dettol, toilet soap,  rubber bowls, scrubbing brushes and blankets.
8. 26 schools (10,557 pupils) across all branches benefited from drama performances conducted by 280 Youth Peer Educators to raise awareness on HIV and AIDS.
9. Health Promotional talks on HIV and AIDS prevention control, care and mitigation were carried out by 280 Youth Peer Educators in 41 communities across all branches, reaching 500 young people
10. Home visits were undertaken by 260 Youth Peer club volunteers across all branches to talk to households about the dangers of early marriage, teenage pregnancy and contraceptive use. A total of 3,000 people were reached during the period.

Constructing a latrine

Drama Group - education

During the remainder of the year, SLRCS plan to do the following:

1. Build five birthing houses in Koinadugu and four other branches.
2. Conduct refresher training for 360 volunteers on promoting good hygiene, clean water and sanitation, and 40 volunteers on Lassa fever prevention and control.
3. Conduct quarterly meetings to strengthen Mother’s Clubs, Traditional Birth Attendants, hygiene promoters, malaria keep-up volunteers, and Youth Peer Educators.
4. Conduct quarterly sensitisation about malaria, Lassa Fever, TB, immunization and HIV.
5. Provide seeds and tools for the mothers’ club garden, and carry out house-to-house visits.
6. Train Youth Peer Educators on drama and stage monthly outreach performances.
7. Provide home based care kits containing medical items needed for self-treatment.
8. Provide income generating activities for people living with HIV and AIDS.

A more detailed report is available on request, in .pdf format, via the form at the foot of this page.

Modelling the fashions

Over 30 Soroptimists and friends attended a successful evening with drinks and refreshments, as well as a raffle prize of a shirt, supplied by TM Lewin at their Cardiff store. The latest clothes were modelled by 2 members of SI Cardiff & District with a member of staff. Then there was time for socialising and shopping – with £104 being raised for Licking Lassa Fever. A raffle prize of a token for a shirt was also donated by TM Lewin for use at the regional AGM. An enjoyable evening was had by all.

Enjoying the evening

In Medieval times Minnesingers travelled throughout Germany
singing wonderful songs of love and beauty. The Minnesingers Male Chorus continue that fine tradition throughout their native South Wales and beyond. We are promised a broad repertoire in several languages of Traditional, Folk, Modern and Classical songs and ballads to enjoy.

Come and be entertained, amused and uplifted by these memorable and magical singers led by their talented musical director Meryn Williams.

Tickets £8 – please use the contact form below.

On Thursday 20^th May 2010 from 17:30-19:30

A fashion show at T.M. Lewin, Unit LG58 Unit 21 The Hayes, St. Davids, Cardiff (opposite ‘David Morgan’s’)

T.M.Lewin will be open exclusively for Soroptimist International & guests

Members of SI Cardiff will model some of the recently launched women’s range

Corporate discounts will be available during the evening plus  a raffle, donated by T.M.Lewin

10% of all purchases will be donated to Licking Lassa Fever

plus  a raffle, donated by T.M.Lewin

There is no cost to attend BUT in order to help with the catering needs please email your contact details and numbers attending to info@licking-lassa-fever.org.uk by Monday 10^th May 2010

The Sierra Leone Red Cross Society has been working in partnership with national institutions, International Organisations and key international partners such as the British Red Cross and their back donors (e.g. Licking LassaFever). The achievements of the Community Based Healthcare Programme (CBHP) cover a number of areas which include communicable diseases, hygiene matters and First Aid.

This quarter they included:

• 36 Staff and volunteers from 13 SLRCS branches were trained as trainers on the revitalized Community Based Health First Aid;

• 152 wells were chlorinated by 24 Red Cross volunteers in Pujehun, Kono, Koinadugu, Kambia and Kenema branches from October-December. 10,640 people will benefit from this activity;

• 260 Red Cross volunteers carried out a one-day sensitization campaign on malaria, TB and Lassa Fever. Volunteers used megaphones and visited places such as schools and market places with clear and simple health messages reaching 85,306. The target set for this activity had been 75,130, hence an achievement of 112% was reached;

• households were targeted for net hanging and promotion in the eight malaria keep-up branches by 1,785 volunteers using the house–to-house promotion visit between October and December. The branches involved were Western Area, Bombali, Tonkolili, Kono, Kenema, Bo, Pujehun and Moyamba. 29,760 households were reached during the reporting period;
• Monthly health promotion talks were carried out in schools with 260 Youth Peer Educators (YPE) in 13 branches – health promotion talks were on HIV/AIDS related issues, reaching 65,260 young people across the country;
• 78 skits on HIV/AIDS related issues were conducted by YPE in schools and communities in 13 branches. 30,216 were reached during the quarter;
• 80 People Living with HIV/AIDS were visited in Bombali, Moyamba and Bo by 12 care givers between October and December. Eight Drama performances, one AIDS fair and five radio discussion programmes were aired and health promotion talks were carried out in schools. The theme for World AIDS Day 2009 was “Protect your baby, take the test”. These three activities started from 29th-1st December, targeting 150,000 and reaching 148,502;

• 300 Red Cross volunteers from all the branches participated in a ten-day immunisation exercise against yellow fever, polio, measles and other supplementary immunisation activities (deworming and vitamin A administration). Volunteers took part in social mobilisation activities (house-to-house visits); crowd control, tallying, marking of fingers for under fives, women of child bearing age and all adults across the country.

Due to the financial difficulties of another ‘back funder’ LLF donated a further £40,000 in February 2010 in order to continue this important work. So far we have donated £65,000. Our last donation will be in February 2011 so please continue to support us in raising funds to help the people of Sierra Leone. See the ‘Ways to help’ page for how you can do this.

Autumn 2009 Update

Working for the Red Cross

A first report of activity demonstrates just how important this project is to the people of Sierra Leone. The key points are:

• The CBH programme helps villages prevent Lassa Fever through simple, effective, low-cost interventions;
• Particular focus is given to HIV and AIDS, water and sanitation, hygiene promotion and public health in emergencies, as well as Lassa Fever;
• Staff and volunteers conduct home visits, peer education, community mobilisation, immunisation campaigns and construction of water and sanitation facilities; Mother and Child Health is also a key area;
• The concept of ‘community mobilisation’ is central to the success of Red Cross health projects. Red Cross volunteers help establish community groups who take responsibility for sharing knowledge and implementing changes in their villages. This ownership of the work by the communities ensures sustainability of the projects.

Kamboma village in the Kenema District is already seeing the benefits of Red Cross education about Lassa Fever

“One night everyone in the village was screaming and crying. One of the community members was really ill and there was no transportation to take them to the hospital, which is far away from here. We sent someone on foot to send a message that there is a serious problem here. Thank God the message reached them and they reacted,” said an Elder in the village. “Questions then come of what we do in respect of this outbreak. Some people are in serious pain. Some passed away. We thought of the food we are eating and the water we are drinking. Then someone from the Red Cross come to educate us.”

Red Cross volunteers have visited Kamboma many times to teach the local people about Lassa Fever and how to prevent it spreading.

Download the full report of current activities across Sierra Leone.

Intrepid sky treckers

Taking off...

Eight members from 5 clubs (Newport, Neath, Brecon, Cardiff and Swansea) accepted the Sponsored Sky Trek Charity Day challenge….had a great day out, conquered their fear of heights and one intrepid participant completed all 5 zip wires, after climbing the pole!!! They raised over £1330.00 as well…many thanks if you sponsored them.  To see all the photos go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/activityuk/sets/72157622395549789/

Reaching the heights...

Flying high!

Some walkers at the start....

Along the way...

Looking forward to tea....

Members of SI Cardiff and Brecon clubs enjoyed an invigorating walk along the Brecon Canal. The weather was dry and not too hot. After the walk an excellent tea was enjoyed at President Rhina’s home – provided by SI Brecon members. A most enjoyable way of raising money for the project. Thanks to all who took part and their sponsors.

We are working in partnership with the Red Cross to help provide communities in Sierra Leone with clean water facilities, latrines, tools and seeds. An education programme is also to be delivered which will teach local people how to prevent and detect Lassa Fever and other diseases such as malaria and TB, as well as what to do should they become infected. Key messages will be delivered via the radio, awareness-raising events, community meetings, local clubs and home visits. Volunteers will also be trained in how to respond to such diseases.

“We are very grateful for the support of the Soroptimists. Your donations will enable life-saving work to take place. Thank you,” said Emmanuel Tommy, secretary general of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society.

The Red Cross Community Based Health Project in Sierra Leone will improve the health of 68,000 vulnerable people living in 170 communities through the provision of improved water and sanitation, health education and women and child services. (See http://www.redcross.org.uk/standard.asp?id=93307)

“Please pass on our sincere thanks to your colleagues for all of your Licking Lassa Fever fundraising efforts. As you know, this programme would not be possible without the generous support of donors. We are enormously grateful for your long-term support. Your recent grant of £25,000 will help us make a real difference to the lives of people in Sierra Leone.

However, we need to raise a further £145,000 if we are to provide all of these communities with the clean water facilities, latrines and education they need in order to prevent Lassa Fever and other diseases. Please help us save lives by giving all you can,” said James Boyle, major donor manager at the British Red Cross.

We have raised £62,873 towards the project so far, via a variety of fundraising events, including the recycling of unwanted jewellery, which has generated over £11,000 towards the total. Further grants will be made in 2010 and 2011, subject to satisfactory quarterly reports from the Red Cross. You can support this project by using the links on this site at the ‘Ways to help’ page.