By Kadijatu Hayles in Lungi
Focus1000, a prominent local non-governmental organization (NGO) in Sierra Leone, reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a healthy relationship with the government by paying a courtesy visit to the Port Loko District Council on Wednesday, the 6th of March 2024. The August meeting was attended by members of the Kombra Network, the District Health Management Team (DHMT), the Ministry of Agriculture, and other stakeholders.
As a leading NGO in Sierra Leone, Focus1000 aims to ensure the safe delivery and upbringing of mothers and children while advocating for better maternal health for all in the district. The visit to the Port Loko District Council aimed to strengthen collaboration and coordination between Focus1000 and its partners, particularly the government.
Francis Mansaray, the Coordinator for Focus 1000 in the Port Loko District, emphasized the visit's significance in maintaining a solid relationship with the government. He highlighted Focus 1000's ongoing efforts to promote a healthy environment for mothers and children.
Abubakar Sowe, the Community Engagement Officer of Focus 1000, outlined the organization's key objectives in his statement. He stressed the importance of enhancing knowledge and adopting positive practices for improved nutrition and care of infants and young children. Focus 1000, according to him, also aims to support women during and after lactation, promote sexual and reproductive health, and advocate for optimal breastfeeding practices through the Breast Milk Substitutes (BMS) Act.
Sowe further mentioned two important initiatives implemented by Focus 1000 in the Port Loko District. The first initiative, he said, is the Kombra Network Farm, which exists in all 14 districts of Sierra Leone and plans to establish 19 farms in Port Loko. This initiative aims to improve access to livelihood opportunities, address household poverty and hunger, and empower community members to disseminate health-related messages among their communities. The second initiative is the Kombra savings and loan scheme, which operates in every district. Focus 1000 collaborates with scheme members to promote community health awareness across the district.
To address the impact of climate change, Focus 1000 plans to plant 1,000 trees in the District. This initiative aims to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities and promote sustainable cultivation practices for plants and gardens.
Sahr Ngeba, the Human Resource Officer of Port Loko District Council, welcomed the attendees and praised Focus1000 for its valuable contributions to communities in Sierra Leone. He acknowledged the presence of other NGOs working towards similar goals in the district and encouraged Focus1000 to share their annual activity plan to avoid duplication. Ngeba assured Focus1000 of the council's support and willingness to collaborate in the development of the district.
Focus1000 has previously played a vital role in combating Ebola, reducing infant mortality, and improving maternal health through its Kombra Network members across Sierra Leone. The organization's expansion into agriculture initiatives demonstrates its commitment to addressing broader socio-economic challenges.
The courtesy visit to the Port Loko District Council marks another milestone in Focus1000's ongoing efforts to forge partnerships, strengthen collaboration with government agencies, and drive positive change in maternal and child health across Sierra Leone.
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