It's 2021...

 

2020 - what a year! Completing my Master in Public Health with a distinction was definitely a highlight, as was time with friends (often at a beach plus a few adventures upcountry to Bumbuna and Gold Forest). Although there were many beautiful moments, #COVID19 marked this year, bringing with it uncertainty, more PPE requirements, quarantine & travel restrictions (no travel at all in 2020!). The words that resonate with the ups & downs of 2020 are grief, loss, uncertainty, dependence (on God), growth, joy, friendship & gratitude. Through the ups and downs, in the mountains and the valleys, God was there. It wasn't an easy year, but I am stronger because of it.

I’m looking forward to an amazing year ahead. May 2021 be full of hope, goodness, love & joy for us all. And may we beat #COVID19 together!

Happy New Year! Welcome 2021.

Good Friday: in the midst of chaos and uncertainty

On Good Friday, I am reminded that in the midst of the chaos and uncertainty in the world, and despite Easter weekend looking very different this year than we may have imagined or hoped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. 

Our circumstances change, but He doesn’t. We feel like we’ve lost control, but He hasn’t. We may feel alone, but He is with us. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. 

Today I reflect on the amazing sacrifice He made, the outrageous love He displayed and the grace He extends to me over and over again. May we rejoice in the hope that we have in Him. And may we remember that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. 

Whirlwind Weeks: COVID19 confirmed in Sierra Leone

The last few weeks have been quite something; it's hard to even put it in words. The whole world is consumed by COVID19 with daily increases of cases, deaths, lockdowns, overwhelmed health facilities, shortages of personal protective equipment and pretty much every headline focussed on the disease. Meanwhile, Sierra Leone was amongst a small group of countries in the world yet to confirm a case. However, as the President of Sierra Leone stated on the 24th March 2020, when he declared a State of Public Emergency, it was not a matter of 'if' the coronavirus would come to Sierra Leone, but 'when'. 

Sadly, today is that day. The first COVID19 case was confirmed in Sierra Leone. The index case is a national who traveled from Europe back to Sierra Leone. Symptoms were experienced during quarantine and the index case went to an appropriate health facility for isolation and testing without first going home. Confirmatory tests were positive. Thankfully, the person is in stable condition and measures have been put in place for contact tracing in a systematic manner. We all hope and pray this disease will be contained. 

The government has made good efforts during the preparedness phase to try to prevent/contain COVID19 from coming to/spreading in Sierra Leone. The big shift came on the 19th of March when the government announced that flights would be suspended for a period of 90 days. Within hours and days a myriad of measures were put into place including no large gatherings, closing of mosques and churches, schools stopping by the 31st March, stopping the LUMA markets upcountry, restrictions of passengers in public transport, closing the land borders and declaring a State of Public Emergency. Now that we have a case in country, additional measures will follow.

While the government plays its part, and the various pillars at the Emergency Operations Centre work hard to contain COVID19, it's important that we as individuals take ownership and make sure we prevent spread of this disease.

Wash your hands with soap and water frequently for at least 20 seconds.

Cough and sneeze into your elbow.

Do not touch your face. 

Avoid contact with sick people.

Keep physical distance from each other. 

Call 117 if you are sick.

Follow local health advice.

Let's pray for Sierra Leone and for the world.