Visit by Joe Turay
Thanks for your
help
The people of Sierra Leone want to thank
generous Gloucestershire residents who have given their backing
to the Kambia Hospital Appeal.
The message came via development worker Joe Turay from the west
African country who was visiting the county. He is delighted
plans to build a health facility for the region - to replace
one destroyed by rebel fighters in the civil war - are under
way.
He said: "It's a very good thing the hospital is being
rebuilt. I was very happy when they told me. My whole country
will benefit. I feel so happy. I give thanks for the support
on behalf of all my people that this is being done."
He said help must keep coming in if the
project is to be completed. "We appreciate the support
you have given us but I humbly appeal that you please do whatever
else you can to help the health situation there. We're desperately
in need of medical attention in this area."
There has been a link between Cheltenham and Kambia since 1992
when a charity worker from the African country visited friends
in Cheltenham and asked for help with the hospital. For seven
years fundraisers, donations and two Comic Relief grants have
helped provide equipment and staff training. But in 1999 the
hospital was raised to the ground. EU pledges to rebuild came
to nothing and Cheltenham fundraisers are now trying to help
raise the £1 million required.
Mr Turay, 41, said it was essential the work was done if the
region was to be stabilised following the fighting.
He said: "We desperately need medical
facilities. It will go a long way to encouraging people to return
to their homes."
He also believes the hospital is essential
for the future of hundreds of Kambia's child soldiers. Many,
some as young as six, were abducted by rebels, drugged and forced
to fight on the front line. Now they are returning home but
are in need of medical help.
To make a donation contact Godfrey Taylor at 41 Salisbury Avenue,
Cheltenham GL51 3BT. ©
Gloucestershire Echo. |
