Work on the interior of the new children's Health Centre in Brama, Sierra Leone is progressing, but the pace is slow due to restricted finances. 

Generous funding enabled the purchase of land in 2019 and the necessary building materials to take the development this far. However, more money is urgently needed. Magnus has informed us that the cost of building materials has risen considerably - and prices are continuing to rise. He currently estimates that a further £27,000 will be needed to make the necessary purchases.

There is a serious need for available health facilities in Sierra Leone and this centre will primarily serve children, babies and mothers. 

Sierra Leone Health Facts

• The child and infant mortality rate in England and Wales in 2018 was 3.8 per 1,000. In Sierra Leone it was 78 per 1,000. 
• Between January and March 2020 in Freetown alone there were 581 maternal deaths. 
• Maternal deaths account for 36% of all deaths amongst women aged 15 - 49 years. 
• Sierra Leone is the most dangerous place in the world to be pregnant. 
• There are only 245 doctors in Sierra Leone serving 7 million people. 
• 1 in 17 women won’t survive pregnancy or delivery. 
• 60% of population live below the poverty line. 
• 1 in 3 people do not have access to clean water. 
• 3 in 5 people live in rural areas. 
• MOST deaths could be prevented! 

The majority of maternal and infant mortality in Sierra Leone is caused mainly by birth asphyxia, prematurity, sepsis and congenital deformity, which can be prevented. 

A pregnant mother-to-be living in a rural setting cannot easily access medical help. Most often there will be an elderly woman in the vicinity to 'assist' with the birth. These untrained women have been identified by the Sierra Leone Government as the primary reason for the country's maternal deaths. This type of support is now illegal, but often when problems occur it is too late to travel to a health facility and usually there is no money for transport or health care.

Once completed the Health Centre will be able to serve communities from 35 villages in the local vicinity. Trained staff will work in the clinic and also support communities in the villages, helping them to improve general hygiene and implementing vaccination programmes. They will also be able to provide post-natal health care for mothers and their babies. 

The YouTube link below shows a video from Sierra Leone, recording some of the progress of the new Health Centre.

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Alternatively donate by Bank Transfer 

Barclays Bank
Sort code: 20-16-08, Account number: 30799076, Account name: Sierra Leone Mission 

Or send a cheque

To: Sierra Leone Mission. Postal address: Janet Foord, 2 Cheyne Close, Church Milton Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 2SQ 

Our prayers and thanks go to all those who have enabled this important work to continue.