I'm going to Freetown in Sierra Leone in September to work with VSO in the Ola During Children's Hospital. It has very few resources (no X-rays or microbiology!) so will be quite a challenge. Along with looking after sick children I also hope to be training up Sierra Leonean paediatricians and nurses.

Sunday 8 May 2011

The most useful things for volunteers to have in Sierra Leone

1) A mobile phone – some people have a phone for each of the three networks (because calls between networks are expensive).
2) A laptop with mobile internet (and a long battery life) – this allows precious contact with home and relieves the boredom on long tedious journeys back from work.
3) A head torch (although I know I freak out my housemates by walking around like a cyclops).
4) Lots of batteries to power said torch.
5) A sense of humour.
6) An umbrella – now it’s started raining (although I fear an umbrella would not have survived last nights’ storm!)
7) Patience.
8) A mosquito net (which just reminded me – I hadn’t taken my larium so far today – oops!)
9) So the next one should be – antimalarials!
10) And DEET – much as I hate it – there are more mozzies around now its started raining – and I have been bitten more lately.
11) Humility and respect for others.
12) Supportive friends in Sierra Leone and at home.
13) Phone numbers for friendly and reliable taxi drivers.
14) Lots of energy.
15) Hand sanitizer.
16) Enthusiasm and motivation.
17) Sun tan lotion.
18) A belief in what you are doing and what you are trying to achieve.

(NB. I don’t actually have all these things all the time – I just know that they are very useful in day to day life here!)

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