Detailed Narrative
Bo District Maternal and Child Health Project
Curamericas Global, in partnership with the United Methodist Committee on Relief
(UMCOR), Helping Children Worldwide, Mercy Hospital, Manjama Clinic, and the Sierra
Leone Annual Conference, will address the unacceptably high maternal and child mortality rates
in Bo District, Sierra Leone. Together we will implement a community-based health project that
will strengthen the healthcare system in eight communities and serve a population of 24,000,
expanding into additional communities in years two through five.
In Sierra Leone, 1 in 5 children will not see their 5th birthdays, due largely to preventable
and treatable illnesses like pneumonia and dysentery. We are implementing a comprehensive
community-based primary healthcare project that will simultaneously combat preventable and
treatable illnesses while strengthening ownership of healthcare and increasing demand and use
for care at existing health facilities. Our integrated approach to maternal and child health
includes interventions such as Breast Feeding, Nutrition, Family Planning, Water and Sanitation,
and Antenatal care.
One of the hallmarks of Curamericas Global work is our ability to combine specialized
expertise and programming with a more person- and community-centered approach, bringing
about sustainable changes in partner communities.
Our Approach
We are committed to evidence-based interventions and
measurable outcomes. Initially, each community participates in
a mapping and census exercise to identify those in need of services, such as mothers of
reproductive age. We then work with the communities to establish a network of Community
Health Volunteers through whom we implement a peer education system among pregnant
women and mothers of young children. The volunteers meet every 2-4 weeks in small groups
with a facilitator. The project also utilizes Mobile Health Teams to provide monthly health
services to each community focused on their identified needs.
Moving Forward
Curamericas Global will:

Build on local health facilities’ current community outreach;

Work with the Sierra Leone Annual Conference Health Board;

Strengthen partner capacity through training on project financial management and
monitoring and evaluation;

Train Community Health Workers on education and prevention;

Foster community participation at all levels through the prioritization of greatest needs
and assistance in fostering buy-in from village officials, Ministry of Health and other
stakeholders;

Improve equitable access to health services in the community and at the health facility
level;

Focus on preventable and treatable conditions of maternal and newborn care (e.g.
diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria, HIV);

Conduct a census and implement routine monitoring of
the project activities as part of our commitment to
evidence-based interventions and measurable outcomes;

Ensure the sustainability of benefits through education and productive partnerships.
Evidence of Success
The Nehnwaa Child Survival Project just completed its fifth and final year in
collaboration with the Ganta United Methodist Hospital in Liberia. Over the course of
the project, we served more than 137,000 people throughout 120 communities including
69,000 women and children under five. The project successfully achieved a 60% reduction in
child mortality.
Key accomplishments of the project include:

An increase from 2% to 86% in the proper treatment of fever for children under two
years old;

An increase from 46% to 99% in children who slept under an insecticide treated bed net;

An increase from 34% to 86% in children who receive three elements of essential
newborn care;

An increase from 15% to 61% in the use of modern methods of family planning;

An increase from Construction and rehabilitation of 45 wells and 256 latrines.
Project Budget - budget for the specific program or project for which the grant is being
requested.
Bo District Maternal and Child Health Project - Summary Budget
Item
TOTAL COST
I. Field Staff
$
45,240
II. Field Staff Fringe
$
634
III. HQ Staff
$
12,600
IV. HQ Fringe
$
3,528
V. Field Travel
$
12,750
VI. HQ Travel
$
19,580
VII. Field Equipment
$
57,500
VIII. Field Supplies
$
29,625
IX. Contractual, Field
$
15,967
X. Other Direct Costs, Field
$
22,230
XI. Other Direct Costs, HQ
Total Field Costs
Total HQ Costs
Total Direct Cost
XII. Indirect Costs -indirect Cost (10%)
Total Project Costs
$
$
$
$
$
$
1,800
183,946
37,508
221,454
22,145
243,599