Precision Agriculture

Not many people have heard the term “precision agriculture” before, understandably so; the concept is fairly new, unfamiliar even to ultra-modern farms in our own country. However, this new technology has important implications for the future of agriculture, the environment and food security. If implemented in a mainstream way, geostatistics and precision agriculture could make a huge impact on crop yield and environmental sustainability worldwide.

            Basically the idea of precision agriculture involves using specialized tools to analyze and record environmental data, such as soil composition, depth, alkalinity, quality, rock content, et cetera. Sounds like a pretty basic idea right? Precision agriculture takes it a step further to analyze the variations that take place throughout an individual plot of land. Therefore, a farmer would be better informed, year after year, as to which locations on his or her land best suit which crops, as well as any soil modifications that might be necessary to improve quality. All of this would serve to improve crop yield, which would aid food security measures and individual farmers worldwide, as well as environmental protection, which would encourage sustainable agriculture for generations to come.

            However, the impact of this new technology (or application of technology) on countries like Sierra Leone remains to be seen. Indubitably, the developing world tends to be last to receive new technological advancements like these, and it’s likely that at first it would only benefit a small amount of farmers. And while a higher crop yield might also enable the U.S. to increase its food aid gifts to countries like Sierra Leone, the benefit there is negligible, as it is of course no guarantee that such a food surplus would in fact lead to additional aid. Not to be underestimated, though, is the potential savings in environmental impact – the continent of Africa boasts a wide gradient of ecologically diverse environments, and as such tends to suffer the most from the devastating effects of climate change.

            Surely, this new agricultural practice is an exciting development that could mean big things for Sierra Leone’s farmers. However, it remains to be seen if that technological leap forward will truly play out in the most advantageous ways to the people, or if it will remain a tool only for use on wealthier, modernized farms like those in the United States – ultimately not where it is most needed.

Marisa N | Volunteer Blogger

Khadarlis for Sierra Leone

marisa@khadarlis.org

Fatama Turay UPDATE

Even if you have read Fatama's story before, please do so again, as the information and  fundraising link has changed!

I am writing today with a heavy heart, and a call to action. A woman contacted us at Khadarlis only a few days ago, informing us of a desperate need for assistance. A young Sierra Leonean woman named Fatama has been suffering from an oral infection (now identified as cancer) for a heartbreakingly long time. She had a tooth extraction in March of 2012, and a few days later, she began to experience swelling in her jaw. A ground team in Sierra Leone confirmed this case and sent us photographs as evidence of its legitimacy. Fatama has had surgery, antibiotics and more, but has responded to none of the treatments. She is now experiencing a burning in her throat, and can barely eat. No hospital or clinic has been able to treat her with any success.

            This beautiful young woman is 17 years old, an accomplished high school student in Freetown. Khadarlis is trying to raise money to send her to a hospital that can properly treat her. Please, if you can help, even a small amount, even a few dollars, it will go a long way to helping Fatama get treatment that will save her life. You can make a tax-deductible donation online here: http://www.razoo.com/story/Help-Save-Fatmata-Turay-S-Life   or mail a check (memo line: Fatama Turay) to:

Khadarlis for Sierra Leone

99 Academy Avenue, Providence, RI

02908

This picture above is Fatama before the infection set in.

I have attached a photo and her sick history (written by her mother) below from just a few days ago, but please be wary, the pictures are simply heartbreaking, and very difficult to look at. Please, consider putting your support behind this important case. Every penny is significant, and each bit goes another step towards saving this young woman’s life.

HER SICK HISTORY

Fatmata had a tooth extraction carried out on 3rd March, 2012. After few days, swelling commenced.

On April, 2012 surgical procedure had to be done on the same area at the Connaught Hospital Freetown (Dr. Patrick Don-Davies- Chief Dental Officer), after that, Radiographic survey showed osteolytic, and destruction lesion of most of the right mandible and maxilla. Since April to June, she was on antibiotics but was not responding to treatment. So, some doctors were suggesting that it could be Burkitt Lymphoma.

On August, 2012 she was referred from another clinic from one of the hospital in the North Makeni Government Hospital to be precise, X-ray shows she has loss of the mandible.

On October, 012 she was admitted again at the Holy Spirit Hospital, Northern Sierra Leone, she was giving the same treatment (antibiotics) but the swelling still remain the same.

On November, 2012 Fatmata was referred to Guinea – Conakry Hospital Ship M/V Africa seeking surgical treatment. During the pre-operative screening process the doctors said they highly suspect symptoms for Burkitt Lymphoma, but they didn’t do any test nor X-ray. They said they do not have the capability to provide treatment for this illness.

On December, 2012 Madam Harriet took the poor girl to her doctor (Dr. Arthur D O Wright) who suggested we do biopsy test. The result of the biopsy was Epulias with no signs of malignancy. However, other experts doubted this diagnosis so with the help of fun-raising efforts from Madam Harriet Danjaju, we were sent to recommended hospital in Ghana for repeat biopsy and possible treatment. Their biopsy concluded Squamous cell carcinoma and they told us Fatmat’s condition was terminal and abandoned us. We flew back to Sierra Leone, again with the help of Madam Danjaji, and are now admitted at Choitram Hospital in Freetown for stabilization as Fatmata’s condition continues to worsen. Experts abroad and in Sierra Leone doubt the cursory medical investigations done in Ghana and the diagnosis. A hospital in the USA has agreed to analyse another biopsy of Fatama’s mass so we can get a definite diagnosis and pursue treatment. We are hoping to go to a hospital in India once a diagnosis is made and Fatmata is stable enough to travel.

Imagine if this was your child. Please help me save my only child’s life. Every little helps. May God bless you in abundance for your generousity. Please pray for my child’s recovery. My heart bleeds for her as I see her slowly and painfully fade away likel this. Thank you for reading our story.

Healthy, Wealthy and Wise? Healthcare in Sierra Leone

Healthcare has been a topic of intense debate in the United States these past few years. We argue about the best way to go about taking care of the poor, and how to care for those who have no insurance. Should they be prioritized behind those with insurance? Should everyone be penalized going without insurance? Should an insurance company be allowed to deny coverage due to a pre-existing condition? What we often forget during these conversations, important as they are, is that many Americans are fortunate just to have insurance. In Sierra Leone, insurance is not a topic discussed in the news media or at the dinner table, because nearly all medical care in Sierra Leone is paid for out of pocket.

            Healthcare in Sierra Leone is managed by a mixture of private, government and non-government organizations (NGOs). The country is divided into districts and each is run independently, generally decently effectively. Though the infrastructure may have been destroyed during the war, it is gradually recovering. However, the public health situation in Sierra Leone is somewhat bleak – the average life expectancy is only 48. In 2007 the country had the highest child mortality rate in the world, and although it has been steadily improving since then, the maternal mortality rates remain some of the highest in the world. The country also suffers from periodic epidemics of disease, such as yellow fever, cholera and meningitis.

            The lack of institutionalized insurance in Sierra Leone is a big factor, as healthcare (preventative or otherwise) is extremely cost-prohibitive in a country where 70% of the population lives below the global poverty line. Sierra Leone has launched several public health initiatives, mostly aimed at reducing the maternal / infant mortality rate, and the United Nations continues to assist Sierra Leone in rebuilding its hospitals and medical centers. A sophisticated and comprehensive healthcare system is still a long way off. While our system is not perfect, we should appreciate the basic healthcare most of us enjoy access to, and assist our neighbors in Sierra Leone any way we can to reconstruct a healthcare system that will best serve the needs of their community.

Marisa N. | Volunteer Blogger

Khadarlis for Sierra Leone

marisa@khadarlis.org

Khadarlis’ Work in Education

            Education in Sierra Leone has been in deep water since the civil war. Because of the conflict and violence, many school buildings have been destroyed, resources demolished, and the institution of education that would naturally guide children through school starting in early childhood, lost. There is no formal schooling process for children or would-be teachers in much of Sierra Leone at this time. The situation is especially dire for girls, as in many areas, cultural beliefs against educating girls and women preventing them from accessing appropriate schooling.

            Fortunately, a big part of the Khadarlis mission revolves around education in Sierra Leone. We have instituted a program called Classroom-to-Classroom, in which U.S. students sponsor a class in Sierra Leone. We have assisted with building repairs, resource funding, school meals and much more. Boxes and boxes of school supplies hve been shipped to Sierra Leone – textbooks, pens, pencils, notebooks and more. Our goal is to supply at least one pencil, pen notebook and term meal for each student, to assist with his or her learning. While there is still much work left to do, Khadarlis continues to work steadily to bring the light of learning into the lives of Sierra Leone’s future doctors, teachers, parents, business owners and leaders.

An Appeal for Help

            I am writing today with a heavy heart, and a call to action. A woman contacted Khadarlis only a few days ago, informing us of a desperate need for assistance. A young Sierra Leonean woman named Fatama has been suffering from an oral infection for a heartbreakingly long time. She had a tooth extraction in March of 2012, and a few days later, she began to experience swelling in her jaw. A ground team in Sierra Leone confirmed this case and sent us photographs as evidence of its legitimacy. Fatama has had surgery, antibiotics and more, but has responded to none of the treatments. She is now experiencing a burning in her throat, and can barely eat. No hospital or clinic has been able to treat her with any success.

            This beautiful young woman is 17 years old, an accomplished high school student in Freetown. Khadarlis is trying to raise money to send her to a hospital that can properly treat her. Please, if you can help, even a small amount, even a few dollars, it will go a long way to helping Fatama get treatment that will save her life. You can make a tax-deductible donation online here: http://www.razoo.com/story/First-Aid-Sierra-Leone/share     or mail a check (memo line: Fatama Turay) to:

Khadarlis for Sierra Leone

99 Academy Avenue, Providence, RI

02908

This is a picture of Fatama before the infection set in:

I have attached a photo below from just a few days ago, but please be wary, the pictures are simply heartbreaking, and very difficult to look at. Please, consider putting your support behind this important case. Every penny is significant, and each bit goes another step towards saving this young woman's life.