We arrived in Kenema on Tuesday evening after an eight-hour drive from Kambia. Kenema is one of the main diamond trading posts in Sierra Leone and was one of the areas most affected during the war. Many people in the surrounding areas still live in former camps for Liberian refugees who fled during the war.
I met a woman called Louise Harvest Hilton, who works for Brighter Future in Kenema. She told me about a woman called Bindu who died during child birth in Unama refugee camp.
She was a student at Eastern polytechnic in Kenema, but drove to the camp because the health facilities there are cheaper. She died at the hospital and, according to Louise, the doctor said that the delay in seeking treatment killed her.
Continue reading ‘Delays that kill in Sierra Leone’
Kabala audience uses chairs to stay dry ©Amnesty International
Kabala is a mountainous town in Koinadugu district – the largest district in Sierra Leone with the roughest terrain and according to the available statistics the highest maternal mortality rates. Most people use motorcycle taxis to manoeuvre around the mountains, but in an emergency it isn’t easy.
When we were discussing the fact that one in eight women die in Sierra Leone from pregnancy and childbirth related complications, a volunteer stated that it used to be much worse before.
It poured down with rain before the launch event and finished just in time for the start. However, half way through the play the sky started rumbling again and the rain came pouring down.
Continue reading ‘Rain doesn’t deter people in mountainous Kabala’
Brima Sheriff, Director of the Sierra Leone section, dancing with community in Mapaki ©Amnesty International
The drive back from Kambia to Makeni was beautiful. There is green grass for miles, with tropical trees and rushing rivers. We passed many villages on the way with people selling snacks.
A heavily pregnant woman sold me some bananas when we stopped – we were still miles away from Makeni, where the main hospital is. I dread to think what would happen to her if she had complications.
We got back to Makeni at midday today and had an NGO partner meeting shortly after to discuss longer-term plans. We identified three main areas to focus on in the longer-term including the monitoring of health systems, working with local communities on empowerment, information and human rights education and campaigning activism. They all work on issues surrounding these areas and are planning to incorporate maternal mortality in their work.
Continue reading ‘Joining in the dancing in Mapaki in Sierra Leone’
Drama group performing at Kambia launch ©Amnesty International
We departed at 6.30am today for the long bumpy ride to Kambia. After a courtesy visit to the paramount chief, I spoke to a group of volunteers about Amnesty’s maternal mortality campaign and caravan. I also asked them to help collect petition signatures during the launch in the afternoon. So far, we have an estimated 3,000 signatures.
The Kambia launch was the best one yet. The paramount chief attended the launch along with local partners and the district medical officer welcomed us and made the opening speeches. One of the musicians travelling with us is the paramount chief’s grandson and everyone in Kambia was excited to see him and the other musicians perform.
Continue reading ‘Play in Kambia highlights problems women in labour face in Sierra Leone’
Mami Queen signing the petition ©Amnesty International
On our second day in Makeni, Irene and some of the mission delegates departed for Freetown. In the morning, a few of the delegates set off to Kamambai, a village 30 minutes outside Makeni. The village has a history of women’s empowerment.
In 2002, the “Mami Queen” (woman chief) was denied the right to vote in the chiefdom elections and a group of women united to protest against this decision. “Mami Queen” was arrested twice before they succeeded in making her vote count. Since then, women have had their voices heard.
After paying a protocol visit to the paramount chief, who allegedly celebrated his 104th birthday two days ago, we were warmly welcomed by a group of jubilant women. We spoke to them about Amnesty’s campaign on maternal mortality and they told us about the problems they face with regards to accessing maternal healthcare.
Continue reading ‘A group of jubilant women in Makeni, Sierra Leone’
