Reflections on our diabetes mission to Sierra Leone
As the sun sets on our Help Madina mission in Sierra Leone it’s only when I start writing reports that I realise just how much we have achieved in our two weeks there!
I said we would be just scratching the surface in our time there…. Well…….it’s a big scratch!!
To list a few…
Assessing hardships and giving much needed money to prevent malnutrition.
Training for close to 100 HCP’s !!
Sharing expertise and experience with the diabetes clinic team and patients
Kicking off some cost-free plans to spread the diabetes word with the local Diabetes Associations - and even set one up!
Doing radio interviews re diabetes awareness
Meeting with some wonderful village Elders to discuss diabetes awareness and how we can best work together to spread the word
Diabetes screening clinics for >80 people - a staggering 5 cases found and started in treatment! 🩺
Working with local filmmakers - Reviewed scripts for diabetes awareness 🎬 film 🎥 📣 and been to remote villages to show the films where they don’t even have electricity!! (Solar powered generator used)
In conjunction with the diabetes leads in Sierra Leone, updating the 2016 diabetes protocols
Collecting (in the UK) and delivered 100+ bras to the lovely Mummies in Sierra Leone’s only Feeding Centre - made them sooo happy!! 🤱🏾
Speaking with religious leaders and putting together diabetes awareness flyers to be posted and spoken about in all parishes in Makeni and Madina.
Raiseing >£3k from your donations 🥰🙏 (HOT NEWS 🗞️ RE HOW THIS WILL BE SPENT TO FOLLOW!!)
This is just a mere snippet, though. What we’ve actually achieved is way more!!
I won’t lie….in the weeks leading up to this trip, as a non practicing HCP, I was worried I might be a spare part…….I needn’t have. I was so bloody busy!!
Wherever you are in the world, 🌍 whatever your environment, there is always a need for Medical 🏥 🩺 Communications - which we really do - DO! 👊
I’m overflowing with pride to have been part of this mission, which seemed impossible - but not so.
As well as experiencing every emotion on this trip, as a team we had a fantastic dynamic, and I believe we are truly friends for life 🥰
Still massively yearning for a better life for those we’ve left behind ❤️
Sierra Leone - you have well and truly stolen our hearts! 💕
There is so much to do here and so much needed!!
Please 🙏 help us to help them: Help Madina (justgiving.com)
