FOCEM Gives More Scholarship To Children Of Deceased Ebola Medical Workers

The Foundation for Children of Ebola Affected Medical Workers (FOCEM) has distributed Scholarship to some of the affected children, as their contribution to ease the stress on some guardians that are taking care of children whose parents died during the Ebola episode in Sierra Leone. 

The presentation which took place at FOCEM office in Freetown on Monday 19^th December, 2016 was done for the affected children in Freetown. 

FOCEM National Program Administrator, ShekuAdnrewCoomber told his audience that FOCEM is specifically focused on meeting the educational needs of the children left behind by EVD related deceased health care workers.

“FOCEM is non-political and non-religious and its remit extends to all areas of Sierra Leone. We are encouraging others to come; our membership is open to all.”

He stressed that the health care workers children that are benefiting from the package includes Medical Doctors, Nurses, Laboratory Technicians and Cleaners among others.

Noting that, they are only concerned for the children whose parents lost their lives during the cause of their duties not those that are not affected.

“The only way we can save the situation is to help the children and that will make them achieve their goals which will go a long way for them,” he said.

Coomber disclosed that the Foundation will look after these children till they completed their university education through the grace of God on their side.

Sierra Leone was declared Ebola free on 7 November 2015 but dozens of affected children are not well taken care of.

Some are still isolated while others have less attention by families and other relatives.

Representative of the Board of Trustees Dr Joe Lappia reflected that the poor state of Sierra Leone health facilities was the main reason why health workers were prone to infection.

“Re-use of needles and syringes, inadequate techniques, and unhygienic practices among hospital staff and patients have posed serious problems.”

He said some people think that when they lost their loves one is not the will of anyone but the will of God. He prayed for the children that have lost their parents and those that are alive for the Lord to make them to become successful in life.

He explained that the main reason why they are sponsoring the children is because they issue out their children result to the people that are helping them and they that the children are doing well in their education.

He thanked and appreciates guardians for their concerned and care they are showing to the children and advise them to take their education seriously.

He said some parents and guardians lied that their children are attending school in order to collect their money from the organization when they are not even going to any school for selfish interest, while some parents and guardians issued out fake result to FOCEM just for them to get the money.

“If any parents or guardians support his or her child for such bad behavior, its will cause no good to the children.”

He disclosed that they have another organization called Soropistims International who is also supporting the children. He promised FOCEM support at all time to the children if they take their study seriously.

He added that the children must be focus and take their academic work seriously so that they can become very successful.

He said the children might never know where good things will come from; maybe they will have someone that will sponsor them until they finished university.

He said he is happy because the number is really increasing and the parents must thank God about the work FOCEM is doing for their children and it’s now that people have started believing in the organization.

One of the beneficiary Parent, Eric Johnson he said he felt good that he do not know how to express himself.

He said at first they did not believe on the organization because some organizations have promised to support their children but they lied but FOCEM take the responsibility to help them since after the Ebola crisis up till now the organization is supporting them.

He prayed that God will richly bless the organization to help them support their children.

One beneficiary child FatmataTarawelie of SSS 4 of the Methodist Girls High School they are happy for the scholarship that the FOCEM is giving them concerning their education. She thanked all the sponsors for their support to them.

Over 12 Million dished out on that day to fifteen school children, ranging from pre-school up to university level.

Members of the Board of Trustees Include: Andrew Keili (Coordinator, Sierra Leone), WinstanleyBankole Johnson (Coordinator, Sierra Leone), Nancy Banya (Coordinator, United Kingdom), Mamie Isatta Sowa (Coordinator, USA), Harry Seilenga (Coordinator, USA), AlusineJalloh, Alex Kamara, Ali Forna, Sam Zoker, Mabel Zoker, Helen Keili, Dr Joe Lappia, Mohamed Babatunde Cole, SiattaMomoh (UK) and MariamaKassay (UK).