CHAL – The Christian Health Association of Liberia

During our time here we have listened to stories and explanations from CHAL employees, made our own observations, and learned from dialogue we have had with Patricia Kamara, Executive Director of CHAL. Some refer to her as the “iron lady” and she does rule with authority! Yet, Patricia’s wonderful heart and Christ’s calling on her life are the motivation for most of the stories below.

Patricia Kamara, Executive Director

“Keep Safe – Keep Serving”

This is the slogan chosen by CHAL in the early days of Ebola that has also been adopted by many others. The staff of CHAL and all the health facilities have needed to be safe themselves to be able to serve others. The many Ebola prevention trainings and personal protective items that CHAL delivered throughout the country limited the number of personnel affected by Ebola and allowed them to “keep serving” through this time.

Two blog posts ago we shared the exciting news that Liberia had released its last Ebola patient on March 5 and that there had not been any new cases since that time. Sadly, last Friday a person tested positive for the Ebola virus. The health authorities are busy trying to trace this person’s contacts and how she may have become infected. It is discouraging for those who have worked so hard and is a reminder of the need to remain vigilant and to keep practicing the precautions that are in place. This is no time for complacency.

To further control the spread of Ebola, CHAL is supervising the building of many more triage units like the ones we described a few weeks ago and the Ebola prevention message is strongly being reinforced at every opportunity. Large amounts of personal protective gear: masks, goggles, gloves galore (non-sterile ones for touching patients, sterile ones for surgery and birthing, very thick ones for cleaning), overalls to completely cover the caregivers, chlorine tablets, hand washing buckets and thermometers. All are on their way to be distributed far and wide.

Loading a truck with supplies for distribution

We have discovered during our stay that CHAL does far more than these direct Ebola prevention projects. “It is more blessed to give than to receive” or perhaps, it is more appropriate to say “It is so satisfying to give out what you receive.” CHAL really believes this, as demonstrated by some of the stories and photos below.

Support from many countries and organizations continues to pour in. We have seen several huge shipping containers of food arrive at the Lutheran complex where we are living. Many, many communities and individuals have need of these food supplies. CHAL has been richly blessed by a faith-based organization called Convoy of Hope. This organization has sent huge containers of donated equipment and supplies for hospitals and clinics. These were desperately needed as many facilities had to incinerate all their Ebola-contaminated materials. Mattresses, bedding (sheets and blankets), hospital gowns for all ages and sizes, IV poles, and scrub suits caused great excitement and appreciation.

Blankets and gowns for a local hospital

The Convoy of Hope also sent food supplies, healthy juices, socks and generous hygiene kits with soap, toothbrushes and paste, soft new towels as well as canes, wheelchairs and crutches. These supplies were sorted by CHAL employees (for days) and then delivered to orphanages, a facility for the blind, a rehabilitation centre, and to other communities in need. There was much rejoicing. One woman walked around waving her brand new towel exclaiming that she had never had a towel of her own before. The photos will explain the recipients’ reactions better than our words ever could!

Orphans lining up

Residents of an institution for the blind

Recipients at a rehabilitation centre

It is clear that CHAL does not limit its giving and serving to member clinics but freely shares whatever they receive with others. A few weeks ago, schools were about to be re-opened after a year off due to the danger of Ebola. Upon hearing that the government did not have enough chlorine tablets for every school, CHAL shared its excess. Twenty schools were invited to receive chlorine tablets and taught how to properly dilute these – weaker for hand washing and stronger for cleaning. Each also received a thermometer and a supply of gloves for safe cleanup. It is quite a sight seeing children in uniforms (happy to be back in school at last); lined up at the school doors to wash their hands before entering.

CHAL supplying local schools

In response to the social impact of the Ebola virus disease, CHAL has committed to providing psychosocial counseling support to communities and Ebola survivors and has been conducting this counseling and teaching coping mechanisms for people traumatized by the side effects of Ebola. CHAL has documented over 300 vulnerable orphans. They are striving to reassure and encourage communities to be receptive to helping Ebola survivors and orphans.

Last week, CHAL made a special presentation. Twelve brand new motorcycles and an ambulance were presented to thirteen different facilities from four counties. These were given by Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH), a German organization. Most of these clinics had no operational motorcycles or available vehicle and the only way they could transfer a seriously ill person would be by an improvised stretcher. It was a great experience to see the joy on the faces of the clinic staff persons collecting the motorcycles complete with a helmet, instruction manual, insurance for one year and a three-month supply of gas.

Happy recipients

Patricia Kamara is quick to give credit to her staff for these awards. “They are incredible people and are very dedicated to their work!  We are so blessed to have them as members of our team and thankful for their willingness to serve.”

We were very pleased to be able to witness one of these awards being given during our stay. If we had an award to give we would, without hesitation, certainly choose CHAL as the recipient!