Murritong Pikin - Ebola Report 2014

Founded in 2012, Murritong Pikin (MTP) is a 'grassroots diaspora community development organisation', made up of Murritonians in Europe, USA and Africa. Our mission is to help

develop our village and other neighbouring villages/towns and to be a model of good practice for our country. We are keen to continue helping and supporting our community.

In 2014, Sierra Leone was devastated by the ebola virus which killed 1000s of people. The general advice for controlling the spread of the virus was to wash your hands regularly, Murritong Pikin launched the 'ebola eradication campaign' in support of the government's initiative and we were able to supply buckets and chlorine which were positioned in prominent locations ie market, church and community halls, around the village

for public use. The virus also had a negative effect on education, as children could not go to school. The government rolled out a national programme

teaching children via radio.

Murritong Pikin identified 700 families who needed a radio for their children to participate

in the broadcast teaching sessions - we raised over £2500 supported by organisations such as AFRUCA, Murray Town Association UK and L'Amaca (Italy), we used the funds raised to purchase radios which were donated to families during house to house visits by our members.

To thank the local nursing staff, Murritong Pikin made a donation of rice and oil to staff of Murray Town Hospital. We held two ebola sensitization talks for adults and children. After the children's talk, we supplied them with books and a small amount of rice and biscuits as encouragement during the difficult times they were going through. Despite challenges and unexpected setbacks, we were able to see the 'ebola eradication campaign through to completion.

Ebola Sensitization Programme

Murritong Pikin was also able to commission and deliver repairs to the bridge at the junction

of Trelawney Street and Sommerset Street. All donations and fundraising events were co-ordinated and executed by our members on the ground. We would like to say a very big thank you to them all for sacrificing their time for the development and improvement of our beloved village, Murray Town.

Ophelia Cole