| God's House International |
| God's House International |
On February 16th, the GHI team traveled upline to the village of Batkanu arriving in the early morning
hours of February 17th. Later in the day, Mr. and Mrs. Turay met with the Chief, his speaker and
several area residents. The HIV/AIDS sensitization campaign was presented and well received. The
Chief also informed that he recently received a briefing on the female condom in Makeni. The GHI
team was cleared to give the presentation the following day.
On February 18th, more than 600 students at Evangelical Agricultural Secondary School in Batkanu
listened while Mrs. Turay of God's House International (GHI) presented HIV/AIDS information and
condom demonstrations. Afterward, there was a question and answer session. Prizes of school
supplies were given to those who asked relevant questions. The session ended with distribution of
male and female condoms. The young men were very anxious to receive this commodity while, once
again, the young women seemed very reluctant. The head teacher and his fellow instructors were also
very happy about the program. They mentioned that there should be more programs of this nature
implemented.
Earlier that morning, Mrs. Turay met with the village Nurse, Mrs. Abibatu S. Mansary, who said she
has a very limited supply of the female condom. She also informed the team that she has, in stock,
Depo-Provera injections, oral contraceptives and protector plus condoms. When asked when and
how HIV/AIDS sensitization is conducted she reported it is done monthly, at the schools. She, too,
informed us that she recently received the female condom for distribution. Mrs. Abibatu S. Mansary
also told GHI Team that she does have a limited supply of antiretroviral medication in stock for
women who are suspected of having HIV in pregnancy. She reported that the medication is started at
28 weeks gestation and the mothers are sent to Makeni for further testing after delivery. Compared
to two years ago, it is obvious that more information, standardization and supplies are present in
Sierra Leone, however, community outreach and resources have not yet met the needs of the
communities at large.
Next page.
hours of February 17th. Later in the day, Mr. and Mrs. Turay met with the Chief, his speaker and
several area residents. The HIV/AIDS sensitization campaign was presented and well received. The
Chief also informed that he recently received a briefing on the female condom in Makeni. The GHI
team was cleared to give the presentation the following day.
On February 18th, more than 600 students at Evangelical Agricultural Secondary School in Batkanu
listened while Mrs. Turay of God's House International (GHI) presented HIV/AIDS information and
condom demonstrations. Afterward, there was a question and answer session. Prizes of school
supplies were given to those who asked relevant questions. The session ended with distribution of
male and female condoms. The young men were very anxious to receive this commodity while, once
again, the young women seemed very reluctant. The head teacher and his fellow instructors were also
very happy about the program. They mentioned that there should be more programs of this nature
implemented.
Earlier that morning, Mrs. Turay met with the village Nurse, Mrs. Abibatu S. Mansary, who said she
has a very limited supply of the female condom. She also informed the team that she has, in stock,
Depo-Provera injections, oral contraceptives and protector plus condoms. When asked when and
how HIV/AIDS sensitization is conducted she reported it is done monthly, at the schools. She, too,
informed us that she recently received the female condom for distribution. Mrs. Abibatu S. Mansary
also told GHI Team that she does have a limited supply of antiretroviral medication in stock for
women who are suspected of having HIV in pregnancy. She reported that the medication is started at
28 weeks gestation and the mothers are sent to Makeni for further testing after delivery. Compared
to two years ago, it is obvious that more information, standardization and supplies are present in
Sierra Leone, however, community outreach and resources have not yet met the needs of the
communities at large.
Next page.
| Sunday and Monday February 17 and 18, 2008 |
(Click on one picture below to view the caption. Thereafter, scroll over each picture.)