The Need:

In Sierra Leone, children under the age of five are at a high risk of dying from preventable causes (such as dehydration or malnutrition). Sierra Leone has the world’s highest infant mortality rate (28%) with 1 in 4 children dying before the age of five. The All As One medical clinic would target these vulnerable infants and children who need emergency, preventative, and ongoing medical intervention to survive.

Sierra Leone also has the world’s highest maternal mortality rate, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that 1 in 6 women are at risk of dying during childbirth (compared to 1 in 29,000 in Sweden). Due to the high infant mortality rates, many women become pregnant dangerously soon after their previous pregnancies, in an effort to replace the children that have been lost. With only 36% of Sierra Leone’s population having access to medical care, the majority of births are at home, with little or no trained assistance. These women often die simply because they lack access to adequate medical care.

Sadly, a large population of Sierra Leone’s adolescent girls are also involved in the commercial sex trade. Many young girls have also been raped or sexually abused by rebels, former rebels and others. This population of young women is particularly vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), unwanted pregnancies, and contracting HIV/AIDS. Female genital mutilation is common (as high as 90%) and contraception use is limited. Many young girls become pregnant before their body’s skeleton has fully formed and this adds to birth complication and maternal health risks.

The Vision:

All As One’s medical clinic would target infants and children under-five, destitute pregnant women and young girls, who are currently marginalized from health care services. The aim is to save as many as possible by medical intervention in the direct causes of maternal deaths.

The clinic will provide a maternity and childbirth service with fully-trained mid-wives, nurses and a doctor to assist women before, during and after delivery. The clinic will also provide childcare, breast feeding and other general post-natal support. For those with unwanted pregnancies, the Children’s Center would provide an option for women needing a home for the infant. Fewer infants would be abandoned or left to die. The goal would also be to educate many women and young girls about female genital mutilation, contraception, how to avoid STDs, unwanted pregnancies, or HIV/AIDS.

Supporters of our vision for the Building A Future project should contact All As One by emailing info@allasone.org or phoning 1.253.846.0815. If you are interested in donating supplies or materials for our building project including the orphanage, clinic, or school, please contact us. If you are interested in volunteering for a short-term trip to Sierra Leone to donate your skills and expertise, please let us know as we are currently making a list of potential donations and volunteers for future trips to Sierra Leone. We need help in the following key areas: medicine, education, and all facets of building construction.