Archive for the ‘Sierra Leone’ Category
Winter newsletter 2011-2012
In our summer newsletter, we focused on the trip David (CEO) had just made to India. In this latest newsletter we explain a little more fully what we are doing in Africa based on Richard’s (Director of African Development) most recent visit. He managed to combine a trip to both Kenya and Sierra Leone and there are many contrasts between the two countries. Kenya is one of Africa’s powerhouses, while Sierra Leone is anything but. However, even in the relative prosperous Kenya the majority of people have an extremely difficult life, made all the more difficult by acute water shortages caused by increasing drought conditions. In contrast Sierra Leone, at least in the region in which we work, has abundant rainfall, but little or no infrastructure and a population that is among the poorest in the world. However, regardless of the country the basis of our work is the same – using sanitation, water and livelihoods to help people out of poverty. It is the good health and income generation model that we employ successfully in every project. Read the newsletter here (PDF 2.7mb)
A mile (or 20) in their shoes
It's not every 10 year old girl that will go to great lengths to help those less fortunate, but Ami Northam is determined to make a difference in others' lives. Driven by a desire to help school children of her own age in Africa, Ami is taking on the challenging task of walking 20 miles in one day in order to raise money for much needed school equipment. Aiming to raise £1,750, Ami's fundraising efforts will help to equip the newly built Koiva Primary School in Sierra Leone with school textbooks, furniture and writing materials so that the children there can have a proper education. During the civil war which ended in 2002, schools across Sierra Leone were destroyed and equipment stolen. Many schools today throughout the country are still in real need of assitance, and Koiva School is no exception. To find out more about the school Ami will be helping click here. Her walk will take place on June 12th 2011, so please take the time to read about Ami's efforts and support her. You will find more information and details on how to donate here: www.wherevertheneed.org.uk/donate/ami-northam/ Good luck Ami!
A film of our work in Sierra Leone
During a visit to our Sierra Leone projects this month, our CEO David Crosweller was asked to film a few short clips explaining our project work there. This short video is the outcome!
A new project in Sierra Leone
Shengay is a remote forest village, and has no sanitation facilities, so the villagers are using the neighbouring fields, with obvious risks to their health and security. There is also no well in the village, so all water is being drawn from a nearby stream – so intestinal illness is common, with young children being particularly vulnerable. We are constructing a community eco-sanitation toilet unit, with a central washing area, with separate areas for both female and male. This will provide effective sanitation facilities for all people in the village, greatly improving their health and security. Compost from the facility will also improve yields in the village market gardens. A borehole has been drilled, with the pump and capping to complete – this will provide clean drinking water for the whole village. See more details of our latest project here: http://wherevertheneed.org.uk/projects/sierra-leone-projects/shengay/
If it were my home
Oh we do like our interactive media. You can use this website to compare your country to any other in the world. Did you know that you would use 91.42% less electricity if you lived in India? Have a play: http://www.ifitweremyhome.com/
One success leads to another in Sierra Leone
Providing sanitation, water and livelihoods to 11,000 people in Sierra Leone. The success of our work in Gbongay has secured us funding for a further 19 villages in the Pejeh Chiefdom, allowing us to help forever change the lives of thousands... In the early part of 2006, we were approached by the village community of Gbongay in south-eastern Sierra Leone asking for help in the provision of water and livelihoods. When we assessed the village we discovered an area ravaged by the eleven year civil war (which ended in 2002), exploited by outsiders and politicians alike, and with a minimal level of infrastructure. From an initial survey and village meetings, we discovered that in a community of 750 people, on average one child under the age of five died every six weeks because of non-existent sanitation and polluted water. Since we introduced new ecosan and wells in Gbongay, not one child has died from intestinal illness. From this success, we have been able to secure funding to expand the project throughout Pejeh Chiefdom. By the time the works are completed ...
A photographer’s encounter in Kroo Bay
Shocked by the extreme unsanitary conditions he came across, a photographer has tried to document the living conditions in a Sierra Leone slum. See more here: http://www.globalhealthmagazine.com/cover_stories/kroo_bay
other news...
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Stories from the field – living with poverty
In another instalment of 'Stories from the field', Jane Bond looks a bit closer at what it means to live in poverty in India... Poverty is everywhere in ...
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BBC2′s ‘Toughest Place to be a Farmer’ inspires fundraising for a rainwater reservoir…
After experiencing first hand the Samburu farmers' daily struggle to find water to sustain themselves and their livestock, Richard Gibson (BBC2's 'Toughest Place to be a ...
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Ripples cycle challenge success
£1,660 raised so far, and still counting! After enduring rain, ice and snow throughout their training, the Ripples team finally enjoyed some good weather as they dove into the 220-mile cycle ...
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Stories from the field – Marudor school
Wherever the Need's Arumugaum and I stop at Marudor Middle School so I can see our newly installed toilet block there. We walk into the schoolyard - sandy earth with ...
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The Summer of Love
Win a £500 donation this summer through Virgin Money Giving. This summer, Virgin Money Giving are spreading the love by giving away £2,000 in donations to help you raise more for ...
