Ruth and Sarah's Project to Support Ebola Orphans

RUTH AND SARAH’S FUND TO SUPPORT EBOLA ORPHANS

Our initial funding aim was to raise money which Ruth would take to Liberia to use to provide for the needs of survivors of Ebola. Ruth worked as a nurse/midwife at ELWA-3 Ebola treatment centre, near Monrovia in November-December 2014. The idea came from Dr Sarah Blair, who worked with Ruth in Liberia for six months in 2005. Sarah found that it was common for patients who recovered from the initial stages of their disease to go home without access to any care or even reliable food source. This particularly affected orphans, who frequently died simply because no-one fed them. There was little social support available, and we knew this situation would be much more desperate during the time of Ebola. Sarah and Ruth felt that there could be a real benefit from being able to simply give some food money to survivors to support their recovery. Ruth has previously worked in Liberia for several years and has the local knowledge to make good use of the money.

The fund was set up via a webpage and raised nearly NZ$6000, far in excess of our expectations. Ruth took this money to Liberia and was helped by some of the national staff who helped her to use the funds. A full accountability report is available and a summary is below:

NZ $5,795 was donated, which converted to US$4500 to be used in Liberia.

Project Amount Spent (US$)

Cash grants to carers of 43 orphans 2150

Orphans Xmas party and gifts 700

Casual survivor grants 350

Support for Elizabeth’s orphanage 500

Nutrition for small babies 800

Total 4500

Our Facebook page, with plenty of photos and updates, can be viewed at:

https://www.facebook.com/EbolaRuth

The donations were raised via our previous Givealittle page which can still be viewed:

http://givealittle.co.nz/cause/ebolaruth

FUTURE DIRECTION

Subsequent to Ruth’s return to Australia she has received follow-up information and messages of thanks from those who were helped. Ruth now has a network of nursing friends who are trying to provide medical and social care in Liberia. A clear project for further support has emerged, as the orphans we have previously supported are now seeking help with school fees. Nurse Sameta George, can administrate this fund.

Sam George works for MSF in ELWA-3 Hospital in Liberia (where Ruth was placed) as a head nurse. Sam used lists of survivors and did a huge amount of work arranging use of the funds which we sent with Ruth. Sam did this for no personal benefit in her own time; on top of working long hours for MSF and caring for her own family. Ruth has developed a good working relationship with Sam and we feel that any further monies given would be used well by her.

Schools have recently re-opened and Sam has received requests for help with fees from known foster families who have taken in orphans. In the short time period since we expressed an interest in these first few children, Sam has received dozens more requests for assistance with school fees for orphans. We will ask Sam to check out the requests mainly by phone and via personal contacts rather than by traveling to visit them, as this would be expensive and time consuming without really providing any guarantees about the care of those children. In addition, sending Sam out into the community would expose her and her family to the risk of Ebola, which is still present. We have asked Sam to provide accountability for use of the funds by detailing expenses and phone checks in a table which she has helped us to formulate. Sam will ask the carers to come to the hospital to receive the money in person, and will ask them to provide receipts for payment the school fees. We will also cover any travel or other logistical expenses (such as Sam’s phone bill) which are required. This is much the same way as our previous fund was successfully run. It is a lot of work for Sam.

We have already received generous support for the first five children, who are Reuben and Annie Martin; Lawrence, Victoria and Veronica Tweh. The money will be forwarded to Sam via Western Union. Due to the high level of interest, we are re-opening a site here on givealittle. We will provide a report on use of the monies to all donors who give an email address. Our aim is to use donated money in a highly professional and ethical manner.