Sierra Leone Mission Trip '22

 

2021 was the very first annual Sierra Leone Mission Trip- Mission Star- and it turned out to be a success! Thank you to everyone who donated and supported throughout all of our fundraising.

There were multiple obstacles along the way however the mission was complete. Here is some of what was accomplished:

- 7k in cash donations were collected

- Over 1k in clothing and supply donations was collected

 

We bought 6.6K worth of medical supplies stemming from IV poles and suture material to first aid kits and intubation sets. The other $400 was used for packaging and shipping overseas. We were able to distribute these supplies to 4 locations including 2 orphanages and 2 local hospitals in Freetown!

 

As we collect donations for this years mission, all monetary donations will again go directly to ordering supplies for the facilities in Sierra Leone. All supply donations will be packaged and shipped for distribution to the facilities in SL.

 

During our trip we also had a day of community outreach. This included taking blood pressure and glucose testing of the members of the surround neighborhoods in Freetown.

We also had a day of education planned with the nurses of the local hospital focusing on patient education and etiquette practices.

 

 

What’s new in 2022:

 

In 2022 we are becoming a Non-Profit Org! This will allow us to expand our outreach efforts extensively. By becoming an NPO we will have access to increased resources and will be able to work alongside other organizations more effectively. This will allow for a larger impact in Sierra Leone.

 

This year will be the second year thus we plan to go much bigger and plan many more fundraising events. We would also like to recruit volunteers to help us with fundraising, social media content, collections, and of course outreach when we touch down to Salone! We will be launching a new GoFundMe account to start collecting this years donations but we would also like to plan more interactive fundraising events for everyone to attend. In 2021 our main fundraiser took place at Republic Garden where we were able to collect over 1K in donations for the cause. This year we plan on having two events- one here in the states (location TBD) and one in Sierra Leone, homebase! Possible locations include Lagoonda/ Scarlet, Warehouse beach club, and decode.

 

 

Tentative Planned Fundraisers:

US: TBD

SL: TBD

 

Volunteers:

As previously mentioned, this year we plan on going much bigger, this means we need a dedicated team. We are looking for:

 

- Social Media analyst

- Healthcare professionals

o Nurses

o Physicians

o PA’s (physician associates)

o NP’s (nurse practitioners)

o CAN/ MA’s

o Dentists

- Educators

- Videographers

 

 

Mission & Goals:

 

This will be a community health outreach clinic in Freetown, Sierra Leone and is a 100% donation based initiative developed to bring affordable and accessible healthcare tailored to women and children in West Africa. Quality and accessible healthcare is the foundation to continue to blossom into well rounded health and wellness of both body and mind. We have the goal of making healthcare, with a focus on women’s and pediatric health, available to anyone in need. During this time we will aspire to offer healthcare that meets and reflects the needs of all women and children in the SL region regardless of background, financial/ socioeconomic status, disability or age

 

All monetary donations will go directly toward purchasing medical items and equipment for the community health outreach clinic. Below is a list of supplies needed to make for a successful and effective clinic outreach! I am also willing to pick up any items in the DMV area.

 

Background on Sierra Leone’s Health Care System:

 

Healthcare in West Africa is generally charged for prior to being able to receive care and is provided by a mixture of government, private and non-governmental organizations. Extreme poverty prevents most families from accessing care. Much of the health care infrastructure was decimated during the Civil War in 2000 and the health service is still in the process of being organized with hospitals being rebuilt or created and staff being trained.

 

 

 

Accepted Donations:

Basic Supplies:

-Antibacterial Wipes/towelettes, alcohol pads, betadine, general antiseptics

-Gloves (latex and non-latex)

-Sterile Masks

-Nutritional supplement drinks (i.e children’s pediasure, ensure, boost)

-Feminine pads (disposable and reusable)

-Band-Aids

-Hand sanitizer

-ACE bandage wrap

-Sterile gauze sponges

-Antibiotic ointment

-Cotton balls

-Adhesive tape

-Condoms

-Medicine cups

-Diabetic test strips

-Diabetic glucometers

-Reading and lightly used prescription glasses

-Instant ice/ instant heat

-Scissors

 

Medications:

-Laxatives and antidiarrheals (MiraLAX, Lomotil)

-OTC pain medications (Tylenol, ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, etc.)

-Calamine lotion

-Antacids (Pepcid, TUMS, etc)

-Antihistamines (Benadryl, Claratin)

-Cortisone creams

-Antifungal creams (OTC clotrimazole)

-Cough and cold medications

-Aspirin

Other:

-Portable ultrasound

-First Aid Kits

-BP Cuffs

-SPO2 Monitors

-Sutures + Suture supplies

-Glucose meters

-Lidocaine

-Wound care

-Portable height and weight scales

-Portable EKG

-Pen lights

-Reflex hammers