Journey and Observations:
In March 2023, our charity team visited Freetown, Sierra Leone, for one week. This trip took us to a country deeply impacted by maternal health crises, where we witnessed firsthand the resilience of mothers and the dedication of healthcare workers, all operating under severe resource constraints. Our visit began at the Aberdeen Women’s Center in Freetown, where we were moved by the determination of the staff and the strength of the mothers they serve, despite the dire lack of essential resources.
We also traveled to Maisaka in the Port Loko District, where we observed firsthand the effects of inadequate hospital conditions, where many women deliver their babies in unsafe environments. Photos from this journey are included below.
Our connections through the UK embassy in Sierra Leone, a Commonwealth country, proved invaluable, leading to meetings with top health officials in Sierra Leone. These discussions brought to light the pressing maternal health issues in the country and explored collaborative ways we could assist in reducing maternal mortality. One of these discussions included an interview with Francis Moses, from the Ministry of Health and Sanitation’s Reproductive Health & Family Planning Program. You can view this powerful interview, which highlights the need for urgent support in this sector, in the attached video.
Understanding the high maternal mortality rates in places like Sierra Leone, I was compelled to act.
Shireen Forster
During our time in Freetown, we also interviewed local midwives, who shared a recurring concern: many of them lack even the most basic clean gloves necessary for their daily work, let alone other critical equipment or medications. This lack of supplies endangers both mothers and babies, reinforcing the urgent need for comprehensive support.
We also visited PCHM Hospital in Freetown, where we met with the hospital’s head. Inspired by their commitment to maternal care, we are planning to partner with PCHM to distribute our Safe Start Boxes here, beginning in 2025. These boxes, packed with essential supplies for safe childbirth, represent a small but meaningful step toward improved maternal health outcomes in the region. Please see the video and links below, documenting our visit to the hospital.
- Sterile gloves to minimize infection risks,
- Medications for managing labor and preventing infections,
- Basic tools necessary for safe deliveries,
- Infant formula powder for cases where mothers are unable to produce milk or lack the resources to nourish themselves adequately.
Additionally, we had the privilege of meeting Rebecca, the director of the Aberdeen Women’s Center, the largest independent charity-run hospital in Freetown. The work being done here is remarkable, providing essential care to women and children who otherwise might not receive any.
This mission to Sierra Leone has strengthened our resolve to provide meaningful, sustainable support. By equipping healthcare facilities with basic but crucial supplies, we are taking proactive steps to improve maternal health in Sierra Leone, one community at a time.
