Ebola Must Go By Dr. Ismail Yumkella (Chair of SALNAM Ebola Campaign Committee) My fellow-Sierra Leoneans, worthy men and women and promising young people, I am Dr. Ismail Yumkella. In my capacity as the Chairman of the newly-formed SALNAM Ebola Campaign Committee, I wish to call on all of us to stand up firmly for our beloved country, Sierra Leone. As you are aware by now, Ebola is destroying lives and menacing our very existence. As of today, Ebola has claimed over 300 lives already. As if that is not enough, there are more than 800 confirmed infected cases. 90% of those infected will die leaving a mere 10% survival rate. If this trend continues the impact of that devastation will be far worse than the rebel war. Compounding the problem is unsafe cultural practices, rampant misinformation and problematic health and social programs. My heart is deeply troubled. You are not at peace either. Day in day out, we continue to receive disheartening telephone calls late at night or early in the morning regarding the Ebola virus ravaging our country, and killing frontline health workers, sturdy men, women and children. Families, friends, social and religious groups and co-workers are suspicious of each other and hardly function as usual. As I speak, the number of widows, widowers and orphans keeps mounting. It was in full view of this alarming situation that the President of the Sierra Leone Nationals Association of Manitoba (SALNAM), Mr. Allieu Sesay, convened an emergency meeting and created the Ebola Campaign Committee, SECC for short. We have adopted the slogan, Ebola Must Go! The mandate of SECC is to work closely with SALNAM to develop and execute an action plan to help alleviate the incalculable suffering of our people back home. The SECC was asked to create awareness in Canada and raise much-needed funds. Here, I am proud to inform you that a fellow-Sierra Leonean-Canadian, Mr. Alex Bockarie, Manager of Black Pearl Press, and former President of SALNAM, has offered to print T-shirts, sell them at $20 a piece, and donate 70% of the sales to SALNAM, on behalf of himself and his family. I’m glad to let you know that we have decided to donate the proceeds from the T-shirts to the Canadian Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders. The reason for that decision is that both the Canadian Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders are already on the ground in Sierra Leone. Considering the fact that the Ebola virus is highly infectious, we believe they are doing a wonderful job saving lives. In addition to Mr. Bockarie’s offer, we are also asking all members of the Sierra Leone community to generously donate towards this worthy cause. Let the world see that we’re not only concerned about what is going on in our country but that we’re also actively participating in the fight against Ebola. Two SECC members, Messrs Henry Menyer and Hassan Sesay, are in charge of the sale of the T-shirts. Online purchases may be made at blackpearlpress.ca. The T-shirts are also available at A-873 Notre Dame Avenue, and at the Resource Centre (on specific days to be announced) at 251 Henderson Highway. I would encourage community members and the Youth to get involved in selling unlimited numbers of the T-shirts at their various institutions of learning, places of work, mosques and churches. All are also invited to come and buy a t-shirt during our next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at 7 pm. The meeting will take place at the SALNAM Resource Centre. Regarding the donations, a bank account is in operation for direct deposit either at Assiniboine Credit Union or on the SALNAM web site. The account number is: Community builder – 110012235195. One may also make cash donations at the SALNAM Resource Centre, 251 Henderson Highway, and to volunteers who will be going around on one or two days (to be announced) to pick up donations. Please ask for receipts when donating in cash. Concerning creating awareness in Winnipeg, there is an ongoing discussion as to whether we should have a forum or dinner, or both. Whatever the case may be, we strongly feel that the ultimate goals of sensitization and fundraising will be adequately achieved. The community will be updated as soon as a decision is made. Ladies and gentlemen, we cannot relent, we cannot give up. The consequences of this outbreak on the lives of families and friends would be too much if we don’t act. We must fight Ebola. Ebola has no place anywhere on earth nor indeed, in our dear country. Ebola must go, and the sooner, the way better! I wish to thank the President of SALNAM, Mr. Allieu Sesay, and his Executive for taking prompt action. Also, a big thank you goes to Mr. Alex Bockarie and his family for stepping up to this challenge. To all those who have generously donated towards this cause, I salute you. May God reward you all bountifully. For further details please contact me at 204 956-4022 (home) and 204-981-3965 (cell), or Fredo Ali Kamara I would like to leave you with these two quotes: 1. “One of the most valuable things we can do to heal one another is listening to each other’s stories.” by Rebecca Falls 2. “Don’t ask what your country can do for you. Ask instead what you can do your country.” by John F. Kennedy. Thank you. A group of compassionate and caring nurses and staff at 4AS St. Boniface General Hospital joining hands with Dr. Yumkella to help fight the Ebola Epidemic in Sierra Leone west Africa
Posted on: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 15:38:21 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015