A WARWICK district-based charity has visited friends in Sierra Leone for the first time since the pandemic.
A group from One World Link (OWL), including two midwives, travelled to Bo City to reunite with friends and discuss projects for the first time in over two-and-a-half years.
Although online meetings enabled discussions between groups here and in Bo, OWL said there was nothing quite like meeting in person to continue the relationship between the two communities which has existed for over 40 years.
The group consisted of Richard Hall, Chairman of Warwick district OWL, and Helena White and Zoe Milburn who are both midwives.
While 17-year-old William White, Helena’s son, was also visiting for his second time.
Helena and Zoe were able to deliver several training sessions during the visit, for midwives and health clinic workers.
Leamington Town Council has had a link with Bo City Council for over 40 years. Richard met with dignitaries at Bo City Council and brought back a letter from them marking the 40-year link and thanking Leamington Town Council for a donation towards a tree planting project in Bo district.
One of the main purposes of the trip was to explore further links between health organisations, so both Bo Government Hospital and Bo Children’s Hospital were on the list of places visited.
A strong schools link has also existed for many years, between 15 schools in Warwick district and in Bo district. OWL visited eight schools in Bo during the week-long trip.
Another project being explored during the time there was for younger people, developing IT skills. Potential funding for this and other projects is being sought to help bring them to fruition.
Richard said: “We had a great time visiting friends old and new and we thank members of Bo OWL for their warm hospitality. It is hoped that we can welcome visitors from Bo next year but in the meantime we will continue to work on existing projects and look for ways to make the newer project ideas happen.”
