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.

We need more THERAPISTS....

VACANCY

Children's Community Based Rehab 

Physiotherapist or Occ. Therapist

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Post requirements: Degree in PT or OT, preferably 2 years post qualification experience.

Preferably some cross cultural experience

Self funded, though some assistance possible if needed.

Commitment: Min. 3 months preferable

Working with a small team providing rehab to children and their families in Freetown and surrounding communities. You will be required to work independently as a qualified therapist, while a national would be there to help with translation into Krio. You will also teach them to work as your rehab assistant, with a view of them practising independently themselves in the future.  We also have some SL staff working as Rehab Therapists, who will need continued support.

The team currently consists of a UK Occupational Therapist and 2 Sierra Leonean nationals. This programme is still fairly new (pioneered 2007) and the next year looks to be just as exciting and challenging as we continue to grow to be more sustainable while reaching more needy children and their families. Our referrals were coming from local partners, such as Mercy Ships, Family Homes Movement and SOS Children's Home for the Physically Challenged. However many more are coming just by us being in the communities and through word of mouth.

Treatment practices need to be applicable to local living environments and often involve working on dirt floors and in crowded spaces. Creativity with local resources is also key and we make postural equipment from our own designs and partnering with a local carpenter. Common conditions seen are Cerebral Palsy, Congenital Deformities, TB Spine, Erb's Palsy, Talipies, Polio, amputee's and many unexplained neuro, developmental and orthopaedic problems. We put major emphasis on training the families / carers to handle, treat, position and care for their child, as they will be the ones with them forever. Often working outside the boundaries of one's own profession, you will be need to be prepared to advise as best possible on subjects you may not have much experience in. Therefore a broad experience of any paediatric areas would be a useful attribute.

Working in people's home environments means we are in privileged positions to really get alongside theses families. Listening, informal counselling and praying with people commonly occurs. These families have very few other services to go to for help. Cultural beliefs lead to the children being thought of as demon possessed, and often just our presence in the community draws a crowd – an excellent opportunity to teach to many about the real causes of disability, the hope that can be found in these precious children and the love that God has for them and all of us.

We will help to find you accommodation on the Western side of Freetown, with other internationals, though constant power and water are not guaranteed! Life in Sierra Leone is a new adventure everyday, much flexibility and a light hearted character are essential. Work days are often long and busy, but stress can be reduced on the beautiful beaches at the weekend!

I look forward to hearing from you if you are at all interested.

Verity Boord

info@enablethechildren.org