Sarah's last news from SL June 2012

My time in Sierra Leone is at an end and though challenging and exhausting it has been
an unmissable adventure and unforgettable experience. Thank you so much for the many
of you that have supported me as an individual or our organisation during my time there.
 
Much of my last 2 months was spent investing in consolidating Abu's managerial skills;
Abu, our Project Lead and trained Rehabilitation Therapist is now for the first time
leading our local team without an ex-pat in country. Our Sierra Leone based Executive
Board remains a good source of advice for important decisions and a great support for
Abu as he steps up to this leadership role. Additionally Liz, a long-term ex-pat has
kindly taken on some of the more complex administration tasks for the team which Abu
has yet to master.

Ambrose, our trainee Rehabilitation Assistance has continued to be a dedicated and
delightful member of the team. With the help of Katy, our US Physiotherapist, he worked
really hard with Katy to learn the theory side of his role. He passed his exam with flying
colours (88%), which means he has achieved the theory side of his apprenticeship and
now only needs to complete his clinical hours to finish his training with us.

Katy, unfortunately, returned to the US in May as her husband was re-located for work.
She has been a great value for training Abu and Ambrose in clinical and theoretical skills
of Physiotherapy.

As a team goodbye to myself and Katy we went to River Number 2 Beach as a leaving event. For all our Sierra Leonian colleagues this was their first visit to what many consider to be the most beautiful beach in Sierra Leone. 

Photo shows us posing as a team with Mr Morlai, driver on far left, with Katy, next to him. Abu is on the far right with Ambrose, next to him behind and I am in the centre.
 
I have no doubt that in my absence the work will continue fantastically, providing support and encouragement to the many families we work with. Please keep our team in your prayers as they enter the rainy season, a time of regular flooding and very difficult working conditions.