Ebola survivors hail Social Aid Volunteers in Kambia

Chairman Kambia District Ebola Survivors, Andrew Sesay has showered praise on Sierra Leone Social Aid Volunteers, a locally owned Non Governmental Organization, for their support to Ebola survivors, Ebola orphans and to quarantined homes across the Kambia District.

He made this statement during the presentation of food and non food items worth over Le250,000,000 (two hundred and fifty million Leones) to Ebola survivors, Orphans and to quarantined homes in the district.

Sesay revealed that they were extremely happy to receive such a wonderful package from a local NGO, as according to him, “this is the best donation we have ever received in the district, and the best in the country”.

He stated that for the first time they are receiving one bag of rice, one cartoon tomato, sugar, two gallons of oil, one carton tea bags, four cans powdered milk, one packet of beans, four packets English salt, half a bag of onions, big and small sized Veronica buckets, one brand new foam mattress, Dettol, one dozen toilet soaps, Colgate toothpaste and tooth brushes, sanitary pads for women, among others, worth about Le5 million for one Ebola survivor or member of a household.

He expressed his thanks and appreciation to the organization, noting that some of them had lost almost all their family members to Ebola. “We are not happy to be receiving gifts from people, because no matter what they give us, would not bring back our families, but we continue to say thanks to God for our lives,” he said.

However, Sesay disclosed that, they continue to get survivors on a daily basis and also people continue to die from Ebola in the district. He urged the government and the Kambia District Ebola Response team to improve their effort in ensuring that they monitor and supervise quarantined homes and families. “I lost five of my family members to Ebola, including my mother who was on visitation from USA,” he wept.

Founder and Director of SLSAV Alfred Jatta Dumbuya commended their sponsors Christian Aid, USAID and International Council of Churches Organization (ICCO), for their continued support in ensuring that food and non food items are provided to Ebola affected victims in not only Kambia, but in Freetown, and Port Loko district.

Dumbuya said, his organization had distributed about 59 sets of packages to Ebola survivors and 25 packages to quarantined homes, across the district. “We give victims full packages, and we ensure that each and every one of them receives his or her full package irrespective of their age, or family size” he said.

The Director maintained that, his organization started operations in Kambia district about three months ago, and they are working towards complementing the efforts of the government, by supporting Ebola victims and survivors in the district, and also through collective collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

He encouraged survivors and quarantined homes not to stigmatize themselves as what has happened to them was not their wish, Ebola is a disease that has killed many Sierra Leoneans, and “we should work collectively to sensitize our people from district village and community levels to follow safety precautions set by health professionals.

Assistant District Coordinator Kambia District Health Management Team (KDHM) Dauda Suma admitted that government alone cannot fight Ebola, they need the collective effort of partners like SLSAV in ensuring that, Ebola is eradicated once and for all.

He described the packages given out to survivors as unique and heavy, as according to him, beneficiaries of such support would go a long way to take care of their families and dependants, “we hope to see more of SLSAV in Kambia, as you have proven to be reliable and accountable to not only to the people but to other stakeholders,” he said.

Social Development Officer Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children’s Affairs (MSGWCA) Naomi Conteh said that Ebola has not only hindered the fabric of Kambia district but the country as a whole. “We have lost a lot of good people to Ebola and more continue to die of the virus. We should come together as a nation put our effort together and fight Ebola once and for all,” she said.

Madam Conteh appeal to beneficiaries to make good use of the items and encourage them not to sell them as it would help in sustaining their livelihood.

Memunatu Kamara who lost two of her family members to Ebola, was happy to receive five full packages on behalf of herself and four children.

Salay stated that what she had received would not only change her life but would help change the lives of her family.

“My husband abandoned me and my children when we were taken for treatment at the Hastings treatment centre, we were luck to survive, I lost one of my sons. This package would serve my family for many months,” she said as she cried.

Salaymatu Kamara a survivor explained that they had been receiving gifts and packages from organizations, but their major challenge is money.

“We cannot do without money, with all these supplies we still need cash to enable good living, people will sell some of their items in order to get money to start their own business to sustain family, “she said.

Kamara who had lost her husband and four kids stated that she was still young and hope that she would be able to make another family again.

By Salaam Deen Bundu

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