GRANT EXPANDS KISSY HOSPITAL

The Maternal and Child Health unit of the UMCOR-supported Kissy United Methodist Hospital in Sierre Leone, West Africa will double in capacity thanks to a $450,000 grant issued by USAID's American Schools and Hospital's Abroad (ASHA) Program to UMCOR.

The new facility will increase in maternal bed space from 24 to 48 and the pediatric unit will expand from 10 beds to 23. The grant will also provide a larger outpatient area, consulting rooms, administrative offices, as well as an expanded pharmacy, laboratory and radiology department. Kissy Hospital's Community Outreach Unit will also be housed in the new facility.

UMCOR sought the ASHA grant in collaboration with Operation Classroom and Operation Doctor,  Through these programs, work teams will be sent to provide professional support to the three-year construction project beginning in early 2010.

 

 

The New book by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, This Child Shall be Great, is available from the OC office for a $22 donation to Operation Classroom (plus postage).

 

 

 

 

 

Dr.Dennis Marke, chief medical officer, will be graduating from Loma Linda Univeristy, in Loma Linda, CA with a Masters Degree in Mother and Child Health. 

 

CONSIDER THE OC VBS MISSION PROJECT

 

This year we are offering two mission opportunities for VBS.  The first mission project is purchasing oil palm trees for schools so in a few years they can be self supporting. An oil palm seedling can be purchased for $9. The price includes the cultivating of the oil palm for three years until it be begins to bear fruit. The second is a hands-on mission project of gathering first aid supplies. Promotional material includes, pictures, a devotional and a power point which can be gotten from the OC office.

 

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Funds are needed at both Kissy General Hospital and Ganta Hospital for benevolent care, especially for surgeries. If we can establish a benevolent care fund in both hospitals they will be able to minister those who need help but have not funds. You can make a credit card donation but clicking the donate button on the right or you can send your funds to Operation Classroom marked, benevolent care for  and state which hospital.

 

The Department of Education in cooperation with Operaton Classroom will be conducting a 30 day training session for  44 vocational teachers in Liberia.  For $200 you can sponsor a teacher to become trained so they can be more effective in the classroom.  Send your funds to Operation Classroom.  We can send you the name of the teacher and the subject he/she will be teaching.

 

 

 

NEW COUNTRY COODINATOR IN SIERRA LEONE

Mr. Smart K. Senesie was appointed to serve as Country Coordinator of Sierra Leone for Operation Classroom effective March 1. Mr. Senesie has worked with the Word Bank as a Releief and Resettlement officer, Hands Empowering th Less Privelege HELP, UK Government Department for International Development on Health and Education issues in Sierra Leone.  He is married to Hannah Sie Senesie and has a daughter Daisy. 

The UMC school  primary school at the urban center has near 700 primary students.  It is the latest partner school with Operation Classroom.  The Carmel UM church in Carmel Indiana has been constructing a 4 additional classrooms. You can donate to the school by pressing the button the right.

 

Key needs identified by Sierra Leone principals

Operation Classroom held a 2-day retreat with the principals of the secondary schools in Sierra Leone. Two concerns came out of the 2-day retreat: (1) the need for science equipment and (2) the need for vocational equipment. A detailed list will be on our web site by March 5. You can make a donation to the schools in Liberia and Sierra Leone by checking the donation button on the right.

VBS MISSION PROJECT FOR 2009

Operation Classroom announces their VBS mission program for  --2009

1. Providing funds for one or more oil palm trees for one of our Operation Classroom Schools.  Some of our schools are planning to plan an Oil palm tree farm which when in production  will provide funds for scholarships for students.  A PowerPoint is being produced along with other publicity and will be available by May 1. An oil palm tree will cost $9.00.

2. HAND-ON-PROJECT -- Providing band-aids and other first-aid items for schools.  Most of the schools do not have any nearby medical facilities.  First-aid supplies are always needed.

Mor information after March 15