Revisiting Nixon Hospital

After nearly 5-6 months of preparation, Joanna taught the Obstetrics module of the nurses training programme between July and August 2011. There are 104 students in the class and presently all have been posted to various Peripheral Health Units (PHU)s - 28 in all - in the Eastern Province. They are expected to be there for 6 weeks to fulfil their practical experience, which is key to their ability to be effective Community Health Nurses. The task involved organizing and delivering the module to the standard set by the country’s SECHN syllabus and involved lectures, tutorials and practical sessions. Joanna delivered the majority of the theoretical and all the tutorials however the practical sessions required placements in the hospital ward and were facilitated by the midwife in charge.

As was done in July, the whole family will relocate again to Nixon hospital in Segbwema for the final week of the modul e in October.

We pray God will provide our old friends to take care of us (cooking and washing) and the children will adapt again to the differences in lifestyle which occur when living in a small town. When we all moved to Nixon Hospital at the end of June, soon after Joelle started her summer holidays, it also gave Michael the opportunity to get involved again with the managing of the hospital ( after an absence of nearly three years) in a different capacity rather than the business manager. It was exciting again to help (mainly in an advisory capacity) with the day to day operational issues of the hospital. He was able to get a feel of how things have changed since we left and this helped quite considerably in getting the preparations for putting together a business plan which was required for the hospital.






Joelle and Janelle








Joelle has started a new school year and is now in Kindergarten. She goes for a full day and seems to be enjoying every moment. Janelle continues to be ‘home tutored’ as much as a nearly 2 year old can. It’s a very challenging experience.








Volunteers

A piece of exciting news for the hospital is the allocation of a doctor and a nurse from the Philippines by Voluntary Services Organisation (VSO) to start in October 2011. The allocation of the doctor is especially important as it would help reduce the pressure on the only doctor currently at the hospital. The nurse would help primarily with the teaching and clinical training at the nursing school but would occasionally assist with theatre work as she has experience in that field.

Bi-Centenary Celebrations

This year marks 200 years ago when the first Missionaries from the UK set sail from Liverpool in September 1811 to arrive in Freetown on 12 Nov. 1811. Revd. George Warren, Jonathan Raynor and John Healey were the three missionaries and Thomas Hirst who was a teacher /preacher. A number of activities are planned for the celebrations including a church service scheduled for 21 Sept. commemorating the departure of the team from Liverpool for Sierra Leone. The whole celebration will climax on 12 November with a church service to mark their arrival here in Freetown.