Community Health Workers in Sierra Leone
By Julia Frisbie
Muriel was already struggling to put food on the table for her family when all of them got malaria at the same time. She couldn’t afford a single dose of medication for herself or her children. She tried negotiating to purchase drugs on credit, but the deal fell through, and she was desperate.
Around this time, a Community Health Volunteer named Tiaima found Muriel. Tiaima reached out and referred Muriel to the United Methodist clinic. At the clinic, Muriel and her four children were tested for malaria and all the tests came back positive. They were given medication on the spot and drugs to continue treatment at home, as well as education about how to manage and prevent malaria.
Tiaima worked to support the family in their follow up care and to ensure that they finished their course of medication. This is important because it keeps the disease from reoccurring. In exchange for the care, Muriel offered a goat. Tiaima assured her that the services were free. And Muriel broke down in tears, asking again and again she was dreaming. She had been praying for someone to help her family.
Through Imagine No Malaria, we don’t just hand out medication and nets. We welcome people as children of God, treat them with love, and build relationships with them. In the process, we empower them to be agents of change in their communities.
Surprised by the grace she found through our work, Muriel has gone back to her neighborhood to tell people about how they can protect themselves. She has signed up to become a Community Health Volunteer herself. Her family is healthy, and her community is becoming healthier, too.
Partnering Through a Covenant Relationship (D5099)
This DVD produced by the General Board of Global Ministries encourages churches to support United Methodist Missionaries through a covenant relationship.
Stories show missionaries serving in the UMC’s four areas of focus:
1) Ministry with the poor in Nicaragua
2) Leadership Development in Ukraine
3) Global Health in Democratic Republic of Congo
4) Congregational Development in Mongolia
There is also a story on church and community workers in ministry in the USA.
Reserve this resource now: e-mail Ellen Johanson at ejohanson@pnwumc.org.
