Sierra Leonean in Australia Rescues Ebola Victims
As the fight against the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) intensifies with World Leaders describing it a global fight, a Sierra Leone Community Leader Policy Analyst in the Office of Premier and Cabinet in the state of Tasmania in Australia, Mr Ansumana Usman Koroma, has complemented the efforts of the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) by providing 50 bags of 50kg rice to Ebola affected families and quarantined homes in Buedu Town, Kailahun District, Eastern Sierra Leone. (Photo Some of the donated items in Buedu)
Speaking during the donation ceremony at the Government hospital along Dawa Road, Buedu Town, Kissy Tongi Chiefdom, Constituency 004, the Pastor in charge of the Lord Alladura Church, Solomon Lahai said they have been longing for such opportunity, especially when the community was abandoned at a time they needed people to come to their aid. According to Pastor Lahai, giving is one of the good attributes of God Almighty, adding that the donation came at the right time.
“We are appealing to individuals and Non-Governmental Organisations to follow suit,” he appealed, adding that “we need more of this donation because Kailahun is one of the districts hardly hit by the Ebola virus”. Calling on his audience to organise a special prayer for the Australian patriotic sons of Sierra LeonePastor Lahai said, “We are calling on donors and other philanthropists in Australia and elsewhere to support Mr Koroma so that our vulnerable people would continue to benefit from such good-will.”
Giving a brief background about the donation, the Kailahun District Coordinator of this goodwill project, Tamba Lahai expatiated that “as the Ebola virus claimed more lives in Sierra Leone, the death toll in Kailahun increased rapidly until it was recently contained in late November, 2014.
“Many homes were gravely affected, heads of some households died as a result of the Ebola virus and children were orphaned, he continued”.
As this situation continued unabated, Tamba Lahai said, he was contacted by Ansumana to do some needs assessment on quarantined homes including affected families and the less-privileged in the town to identify desperate needs. According to Tamba, this was done in partnership with the Community Health Officer, Amadu Kanneh; Councillor Mariama Lavali; Paramount Chief Nyuma Sengu, and the Local Unit Commander of the Sierra Leone Police among others.
“Today, the entire Chiefdom is benefiting from the gesture of our brother who has passion to help mankind,” the Coordinator said. He also reiterated that “because the Ebola virus has affected every sector, Ansumana Koromathought it prudent to help the vulnerable people in the community”.
The rice consignment was divided into two – 25 bags for the vulnerable groups and the other 25 bags were distributed among quarantined homes, Ebola survivors and Ebola affected homes.
One of the beneficiaries, Fatmata Nyallay described the donation as “one that is equal to none.” She pointed out thatlife for many locals is frustrating and hopeless. She said women are more vulnerable and called on the Government of Sierra Leone to impartially support Ebola survivors/victims.
Nonetheless, Isaiah Lahai who is also another community leader currently living in Australia described the donation as timely and appropriate and further expressed his admiration for the selfless, patriotic and humanitarian role of Ansumana Usman Koroma.
Isaiah also stated that Ansumana has an open heart and does not look at Sierra Leone through the prism of region, tribe, social or political affiliation. This is why he is considered a role model by many Sierra Leoneans, Africans and other nationalities living in Australia.
By Mukeh Sannoh
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