SLEFES RESPONSE TO THE EBOLA VIRUS OUTBREAK We thank the Lord for his banner over us and His faithfully in the midst of the Ebola virus Disease. The Ebola outbreak came not as a surprise to many but the extent of the spread and death toll was never imagined. As at 9th August 2014, The Health Ministry has confirmed an increasing number of discharges notwithstanding an increase in the number of deaths. All but one District has been affected by the outbreak and it has greatly affected the social and economic life of the country. The Government have declared a state of Emergency with restricted movement in and out of affected areas. Major Airlines are cancelling their fights to Sierra Leone. We as a fellowship recognize the efforts of the Government, the health workers, international community and the church in the fight against the spread of virus. We stand convinced that the greatest response to this pestilence is complete dependence on God in prayer but at the same time adhering to the recommendation of the health experts. We are in touch with our Associates in the Health sector and have put in place their counsel. Every sector of the country has been affected. We have gotten report from our Fellowship in Kenema that two members who were due to be enrolled have died of the Virus. Another Associate who worked at the Kenema Government Hospital also died two week back. Beyond directs impact on us students and Associates have also lost members of their families. The scale of the impact of the Virus will only be seen after we would have handled it and people are free to return to their families in rural settings. Some students are now stranded as they will not be able to return to their home town to raise their fees from the farming activities. Last night I was inform that two SLEFES members from the Medical who were due to travel to UK today for the practical placement will not be able to travel. As a fellowship we have taken some actions 1. We have postponed to National Conference that was due to be held from 28th August to 3rd September and all other programs until we are advice otherwise by relevant authorities. 2. We have set apart Monday 18th to Wednesday 20th August 2014 as days of Prayer and Fasting. Students, Associates, staff and friends will gather in Bo, Makeni and Freetown to Pray. 3. From Wednesday 21st to Friday 23rd August we will host some of our associates involved in the Ebola fight on a 1 hour radio discussion and prayer on major radio stations in each of the three locations. 4. From Wednesday 13th August we will send out regular Ebola prevention text messages to students and Associates 5. Beyond the EBOLA Virus outbreak, we realised that Sierra Leonean have a poor Hygiene and sanitation practices. Every raining reason, we battle with Cholera outbreak in some part of the country. Therefore we plan to organise training of Students on Basic Sanitation in Bo, Kenema and Freetown and empower these students to raise awareness in the communities. 6. We have established hand washing centres at our offices. 7. The General Secretary is actively involved in the special religious Leaders response to Ebola and he is one of the panellist in a weekly radio program. 8. We have been informed of the challenge of two students whose family are in Kailahun and will have to travel to Kailahun every holiday to work and raise the fees and living expenses while on campus. They are presently living with friends because the home town has been quarantines. Therefore we want to set aside funds to support them and others we will know about later. Please we will appreciate 1) If you can set apart 18th to 20th August to fast and pray with us a) The god will put a stop to the spread of the Virus b) That God will protect our health workers. There are a number of Associates who are directly involved in the Ebola Outbreak c) That God will provide the resources needed to fight this outbreak 2) Consider supporting our EBOLA Response activities. You can send any support in Cash to the SLEFES Account.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 15:53:23 +0000
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