VACANCY NOTICE: HEALTH EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS

 

CARITAS BO in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation is seeking for employment self motivated, committed, qualified and visionary health professionals with sufficient knowledge and experience for the Bo Midwifery School which starts operations in September 2017.

Caritas Bo is a member of the global federation of 165 Caritas member organizations. In Sierra Leone, it is one of the four Diocesan Development Organizations working in the four Southern Districts (Bo, Bonthe, Moyamba and Pujehun Districts). Over the years, Caritas Bo has worked in Collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Sanitation, Social Welfare Gender and Children’s Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security the  and Ministry of Education.  In the Health Sector, Caritas Bo supports both primary and secondary health service delivery  at PHU Levels  as well as at its Catholic Referral Hospital  In Serabu. With a € 1.3 million grant from its partners BMZ and Action Medeor, Caritas Bo now seeks to contribute the health systems strengthening drive in Sierra Leone.

OUR VISION: A society devoid of extreme poverty where everyone is assured of a daily bread, equity and peaceful co-existence.

Our Mission:

  • Eradicating extreme poverty
  • Restoring human dignity and
  • Promoting social justice
  1. VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT – PRINCIPAL / ADMINISTRATOR OF MIDWIFERY SCHOOL BO (1)

 

 

 

QUALIFICATION: Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing specializing in Midwifery, with a Diploma in Midwifery Education and a Masters Degree in a relevant discipline.

 

EXPERIENCE: At least five (5) years of administrative work experience in nursing/midwifery Education

 

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB: To coordinate and manage activities of students and staff recruitment as well as supervision and capacity building of staff, promotion of the training and selection of students. Successful candidate will provide professional leadership in the day to day running of the school and its strategic planning, performing roles in the training and teaching of students and trainees as required. The selected candidate will also be involved in the development of the curriculum, setting up time table,skills lab, development of school concept prior to school start and reporting on activities.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS REQUIRED:

  • Proven track record or previous planning and administration
  • Demonstration of previous leadership roles and responsibilities
  • Experience in training/teaching and transfer of knowledge
  • Track record of communication and facilitation skills
  • Ability to write quality reports in English and meet deadlines

 

 

SALARY:      (Le106,400,000) per annum

 

Starting date: As soon as possible

 

 

  1. VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT – Midwifery Tutors (3)

 

 

QUALIFICATION: B Sc Degree in nursing  plus a  Diploma in Midwifery Education, registration with the Nurses and Midwives Board and a valid license

 

EXPERIENCE: Capable of impacting the necessary required knowledge for students to be extremely responsible and able to calmly deal with the emotional demands of caring for a mother and her new child during  and after birth. Strong communication skills and a helpful and caring nature that can help students to set a  mother’s mind at ease. At least four years teaching experience in a medical discipline with a midwifery bias.

 

 

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB:  Transfer essential competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice including:

  • Social epidemiology and cultural context of maternal and newborn
  • Pre-pregnancy Care and Family Planning
  • Care during labour and birth
  • Care for women during the Post Partum period
  • Facilitation of abortion related Care

SALARY:  (Le.35,280,000) per annum

 

Starting date: April 2017

 

                    

  1. VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT – Librarian/IT(1)

 

QUALIFICATION: A degree in library science / IT

 

EXPERIENCE: Must be capable to follow publishing and media trends closely, as well as be up to date on the latest computer technology. Skills in acquiring and organizing new materials for the library and deleting obsolete items.

SALARY: (Le.33,810,000) per annum

 

Starting date: July 2017

 

  1. VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT – Security

 

QUALIFICATION: 

 

EXPERIENCE: perform surveillance functions within the facility. They may monitor security cameras to determine whether there are any potential problems. By monitoring the security cameras and the building itself, security personnel can watch for signs of break-in or for other problems, such as fire, a burst sprinkler or something else that might cause damage.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

  • Admission Control
  • To have a desk at or near the front of the building

Have control access to the building. This may be in the form of direct control, such as having to open or close the door to admit people inside the facility.

Giving out of visitor’s badge, or requiring visitors to sign in and out of the facility.

SALARY: Negotiable (Agency Firms are encouraged to apply)

 

Starting date: March 2017

 

  1. VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT – Guidance Counsellor (1)

 

QUALIFICATION: A master’s degree in education counseling.

EXPERIENCE: 

2-3 years classroom instruction and practical experience working with real students. Including skills in:

  • Counseling Processes
  • Ethical Issues in Counseling
  • Career Development for Students

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

Help solve personal, social and academic problems in the school. Teach students to identify problems, such as alcohol and substance abuse, family violence. Teach and practice conflict resolution skills to resolve these problems.

SALARY: (Le. 22,050,000) per annum

 

Starting date: September 2017

 

 

  1. VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT – House Keeper / Gardener (1)

 

QUALIFICATION: Basic Education Certificate Level or able to read and write English

 

EXPERIENCE: Previous Experience in similar position at institutional level.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

To keep the compound and facility clean and conducive for learning, caring and watering plants, execute simple maintenance works on facility (buildings)?

SALARY: (Le14,700,000) per annum

 

Starting date: March 2017

 

  1. VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT – Cleaner (2)

 

QUALIFICATION: Basic Education Certificate Level or able to read and write English

 

EXPERIENCE: Previous Experience in similar position at institutional level.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

 

To keep the compound and facility clean and conducive for learning

SALARY: (Le8,000,000) per annum

 

Starting date: May 2017

 

GENERAL INFORMATION TO ALL APPLICANTS :

 

All application letters should quote the title of the position applied for and also provide the following details:

– Motivation letter

– Brief summary of career with competencies (Curriculum Vitae)

– Certified true copies of academic and professional certificates

– At least two references from supervisors indicating the number of years of work experience

– Certificate of good standing and registration to practice as health professional in Sierra Leone

All applications should be addressed to:

The Programme Assistant,

Caritas Bo

14 New Gerihun Road Bo

E-mail: caritasbo2014@gmail.com

Closing for the receipt of all applications is Friday, 24th February, 2017.

NOTE: Only shortlisted Candidates will be contacted

WATER AND SANITATION FACILITIES FOR RURAL PRIMARY SCHOOL IN SOUTHERN SIERRA LEONE

A comprehensive needs assessment survey undertaken by Caritas Bo revealed that our operational area has no priority sector, as the level of poverty in all aspects of life in these areas deserve equal attention. The survey clearly brought out that abject poverty hunger, water borne diseases, very poor sanitary facilities, gender inequality and gender base violence, youth unemployment, street children, child labour, high rate of teenage pregnancy, are all deep-rooted in all the communities. Extreme poverty makes it impossible for the communities to access clean, safe and potable drinking water. This leaves them vulnerable to preventable health and sanitation hazards.

In responds to the above stated findings, Caritas Bo received 275 Euro from         Kindermissionswerk a child centred organization in Germany for the implementation of WASH activities in 25Rural Primary Schools in Bo, Bonthe, Moyamba ,Pujehun and Bo districts respectively.

The Goal of project: was to prevent and minimize the incidence of the outbreak of cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, and other water borne and related diseases in the beneficiary communities.

The objectives of the project are to;

  1. Improve the health and sanitation of the beneficiary schools by providing them potable water and VIP latrines
  2. Raise the awareness of beneficiary communities on basic hygiene and sanitary practices
  3. Provide basic hygiene and sanitary materials soap for hand washing, clean containers for storage for training and post training period at least for six months after training

Key activities undertaken by project include the following:

  1. Identification of locations for project activities, formation of committees in the communities, election of community executive, digging the wells and fitting them with hand pumps, digging the VIP latrines and building the superstructure and making the facilities usable.
  2. Registration of trainees, engaging the services of trainers, procurement of training materials

 

Project Duration: is 12 months running through April, 2017.

Completed toilet in FutaSAM_0702 SAM_0755

 

WATER AND SANITATION FACILITIES FOR RURAL PRIMARY SCHOOL IN SOUTHERN SIERRA LEONE

A comprehensive needs assessment survey undertaken by Caritas Bo revealed that our operational area has no priority sector, as the level of poverty in all aspects of life in these areas deserve equal attention. The survey clearly brought out that abject poverty hunger, water borne diseases, very poor sanitary facilities, gender inequality and gender base violence, youth unemployment, street children, child labour, high rate of teenage pregnancy, are all deep-rooted in all the communities. Extreme poverty makes it impossible for the communities to access clean, safe and potable drinking water. This leaves them vulnerable to preventable health and sanitation hazards.

In responds to the above stated findings, Caritas Bo received 275 Euro from         Kindermissionswerk a child centred organization in Germany for the implementation of WASH activities in 25Rural Primary Schools in Bo, Bonthe, Moyamba ,Pujehun and Bo districts respectively.

The Goal of project: was to prevent and minimize the incidence of the outbreak of cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, and other water borne and related diseases in the beneficiary communities.

The objectives of the project are to;

  1. Improve the health and sanitation of the beneficiary schools by providing them potable water and VIP latrines
  2. Raise the awareness of beneficiary communities on basic hygiene and sanitary practices
  3. Provide basic hygiene and sanitary materials soap for hand washing, clean containers for storage for training and post training period at least for six months after training

Key activities undertaken by project include the following:

  1. Identification of locations for project activities, formation of committees in the communities, election of community executive, digging the wells and fitting them with hand pumps, digging the VIP latrines and building the superstructure and making the facilities usable.
  2. Registration of trainees, engaging the services of trainers, procurement of training materials

 

Project Duration: is 12 months running through April, 2017.

Completed toilet in Futa SAM_0702 SAM_0755

CARITAS BO SETS UP A MIDWIFERY IN BO DISTRICT

Caritas Bo in collaboration with the ministry of Health and Sanitation has received a € 1.2 million grant from BM2 through Action Medeor to set up a midw ifery school in Bo.

The school will target 50 State Enrolled Community Health Nurses (SECHN). The two years programme will provide skills based competencies in modern Midwifery.

Admission of the first set of students will be in October, 2017.

This initial grant will run until December, 2020. Other international organizations like UNFPA and GIZ have indicated intentions to support the initiative in response to the presidential recovery plan.

IMG-20170314-WA0072IMG-20170315-WA0009 IMG-20170314-WA0073 IMG-20170315-WA0011

Bishop Charles hails staff of Serabu Catholic Hospital

On a bright Wednesday morning June 3rd 2015, the Bishop of Bo Diocese, Charles Campbell arrived at Serabu Hospital from Bo City.Hisentourage comprising the Supervisor Madame Theresa Songu, the Programme Manager of Caritas Bo Mr. Thomas Johnny and two journalists working for Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation ( S.L.B.C) and a community radio Kiss fm 104 respectively. The purpose of the visit is to have firsthand information on the progress of his largest Diocesan Health facility in the Diocese of Bo.
Delivering the annual update starting May,2014 to May ,2015 , the Hospital Manager, James T Lahai informed the Bishop and entourage on progress ,noting that the hospital continue to provide free medical treatment to pregnant ,lactating mothers and children under age five. He continued that since the outbreak of Ebola epidemic, no medical personnel or patient at Serabu Catholic Hospital have been infected with the virus, considering the high level of awareness on Ebola prevention and control. He said suspected Ebola cases have always been referred to appropriate treatment centers.
He added that the hospital management has and will continue to prioritize the welfare of staff and patients in the hospital
He disclosed that the Hospital was a recipients of donations received from MSF, CHASL and Healing Foundation. He identified the need for capacity building for staff at the hospital
Responding, the Bishop thanked the staff of Serabu hospital for the tremendous work done during difficult times in the history of Sierra Leone.
The Supervisor Md. Theresa Songu also heaped praises on the staff for providing an enabling environment for her to monitor the activities of the hospital.
The Bishop went on to bless the newly constructed triage and proceeded to bless the emergency ward for children all at the Serabu Hospital.
The Bishop with his entourage further visited the proposed Holy Rosary Primary School compound site which is adjacent the Serabu Hospital.

On the last leg of his visit to Serabu the Bishop visited the burnt Parish House of Sacred Heart Parish where he met a cross section of Parishioners. After casual discussions the Bishop left for Bo City.
This visit was based on the management principle that “ people do not necessarily do what you expect rather, the would do what you inspect.”

Caritas Bo benefits from UNICEF windfall grant for Ebola affected Children and Families

SECURITY OF EBOLA CHILDREN AND FAMILY IS PARAMOUNT

Caritas Bo were among beneficiaries of UNICEF funded project worth over One hundred thousand Euros .The project focuses on protection ,care and support of Ebola affected children and their families in the district of Moyamba, Sothern part of Sierra Leone. The project will target Ebola victims in seven chiefdom of Moyamba, Kori, Kowa. Kanjai, Dasse, Lower Banta, Upper Banta and Baguma.

In an exclusive interview with the press shortly after the signing of official contract with UNICEF , Director of Caritas Bo ,David Yambasu described the projects as key in supporting children affected by Ebola and families, stressing that the security of Ebola affected children and family is crucial to the fight against Ebola epidemic that continue to plague Sierra Leone.. He said the project key activities include but not limited to family tracing and reunification, building resilience of boys and girls as part of their recovery process, psychosocial support, protection and care for Ebola Affected Children, Training of community actors to monitor the implementation of the project key objective of protecting Ebola children and families.

The project which has begun will last for a period of five months, starting March, 2015 and ends in July, 2015.

Special Memorial Mass for Canadian Philanthropist Late Des Garvey

Reverend Fathers and sympathizers posed after the wake for Late Desmond Garvey (Mr. Bo)

Children at St. Mary’s Children’s Home in Bo ,  on Thursday ,15th January,2015 ,held a special memorial mass at their conference room in Bo, for late  Canadian national Desmond Garvey commonly known as Mr. Bo , who died a year ago. . He died after a fatal accident, hitting his head on a snow, and did not recover from the shock. The mass attracted senior catholic priests, church members, former Deputy Mayor of Bo City and stakeholders in Bo who were very touch about the death of Des Garvey. The memorial mass was twined up with the 15th anniversary of the Home.

The late Des Garvey was a philanthropist and was deeply in love with Bo City after the end of the eleven year civil conflict, he worked positively to give a better life to destitute war affected children at St.Mary’s Home and further established a link between Bo City Council and Nepean Council in Canada, his home town, an effort that contributed positively to infrastructural development in Bo. The Late Man was also interested in the social life of the people particularly the youths, as a sport lover he was also instrumental and a brain behind the formation of a football club in Bo, Nepean Stars, a club that made remarkably progress in the national premier league and place Bo on the soccer map.

 

Special


During the special mass, whilst making the opening prayer, Caritas Freetown Executive Director,  Rev Father Konteh described the late Des Garvey as a close friend to the St, Mary’s Home, a man that was passionate about serving humanity irrespective of race or color.  He said the Late Des Gravey supported financial and physically to the construction of the St.Mary’s Home I order to provide a permanent shelter for orphans and needy children n post war Sierra Leone. He explained that Des was very concern about development in Bo, adding that the late man supported the construction of two markets in Bo, Bongo market being one of the two markets constructed.  He made mentioned of the role of Late Des Garvey in twinning up Bo City with the Nepean Council, a relationship that ushered a new down .He said, the late was about to replicate his good work with the late Mayor of Bo, Toma Alias to the current Mayor after couple of discussion but death shattered his dream for a new Bo. He further commented on the role of the late man in repatriating six indigenes of Bo to Canada for a better life, noting that the six Sierra Leoneans are now proud citizens of Canada.

The Reverend Father Konteh was proud of the vocation of Late Des Garvey in serving mankind and giving hope to disadvantage children in a post war country. He lamented on his death as a big lost for Sierra Leone, Bo in particular.

Special prayers were offered by the children, distinguish mourners and priests present for the Late Des Garvey who many considered as humanist and good will ambassador for Bo City.

Children of St.Mary’s Children’s Home receives food donation from Hilfedirekt NGO

Presentation of food items and hygiene materials to the Home by HilFedirekt Director St.Mary’s Children’s Home were recipients of some quantity of food and non food items as an emergency response to children’s need amind Ebola outbreak in the country. The support was provided by RTL Germany through a local nongovernmental organization, Hilfedirekt operating in Bo, Sierra Leone. Hilfedirekt-SL is working on joint project with Welthungerhilfe supplying quarantined homes as a response to Ebola crisis.

Making the donation, Country Director, HILFEDIREKT-SL, Dr. Musa Syed Bainda says the gesture was part of special consideration for needy children based at the St.Mary’s home in Bo whilst he pinpointed that the food items donation was part of their response to reducing hunger in quarantine communities.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the Home, the Executive Director Caritas Freetown  Reverend Father Konteh thanked the donor for kindest thought for destitute children, noting that the donation was a reflection of their good thought for humanity in the world.

Father Konteh, hailed HILFEDIREKT for putting the St. Mary’s Home in the list of donation adding that the food and non food items donated was timely and a felt need for the children.

In a separate development, the proprietor of Tony Blair International Academy in Bo, Tony Blair has awarded a scholarship to Mohamed Turay, an orphan residing at the St.Mary’s Home, Bo. The scholarship covers tuition fees for the entire secondary education and uniforms, Mohamed Turay, a JSS 2 pupil, was recommended by the manager for his as the most outstanding performance in school.

Caritas Bo supports food security drive in Sierra Leone

The economy of Sierra Leone depends largely on its rural farmers. The country has 5.4 million hectares of arable land, of which, less than 15% is cultivated per annum. Similarly, over 80% of irrigable areas and wetlands remain uncultivated. Nonetheless, agriculture is responsible for almost half of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), nearly two-thirds of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood.  However, the low agricultural productivity has restricted access to seeds, tools, land, and markets.  The absence of alternative rural income generating activities and credit facilities has trapped many communities in a perpetual cycle of poverty. Agricultural productivity and quality in rural areas is hampered by a reliance on intense Sweden farming, or slash and burn.

In response to these gaps, the Director of Caritas Bo says Caritas Bo engaged five communities in Kowa chiefdom to implement an agricultural project entitled:“Empowering five rural communities in mechanised food production for self reliance and sustainability.” The General Objective was to empower rural people in the Southern province of Sierra Leone to exercise their rights to sustained food security. Its specific objectives were; to encourage rice production in Moyamba district. 200 farming acres was identified at Njabahun Village which was cultivated in two years leading to a yield of 868 bushels of rice. Caritas Bo contracted a Construction firm for the construction of a store measuring 41’- 6’ x 21’-0’ and drying floor measuring 35’- 0’ x 20’- 0’ to help in the reduction of post harvest loss. This three year project was supported by Manos Unidas which was implemented in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture Food and Forestry Security.

Providing a safe home and better life for Ebola Victims in Sierra Leone

Children were the hardest hit, the pic.. Include ebola orphans
The outbreak of the Ebola virus has left severe shock and distressed killing over two thousand people with over thousand orphans, widows and widowers. The care and security of Ebola survivors is equally crucial to the eradication of Ebola in Sierra Leone. It is in this vein that UNICEF has provided support to Caritas Bo with a grant of $125,000 to support children and their families in the recovery process in Moyamba District, South Sierra Leone.

As part of the reintegration and recovery process, children will be provided psychosocial support. Family Tracing and reunification will be conducted in 7 chiefdoms: Kori, Kowa, Kamajei, Dasse, Lower and Upper Banta, Bagruwa and chiefdoms. These actions will be carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children’s Affairs with Plan Sierra Leone as Counterparts.

“Children will be placed in foster care where reunifications with their biological relations do not work out. School materials will e provided for very vulnerable children. Community based protection structures including Child welfare committees and Child Action groups will be supported” says Caritas Director, David Yambasu.  A six months follow up plan will be drawn and implemented.

He added that Caritas Bo, also runs a Children’s Home which is located in the Saint Theresa’s Parish in Bo. The Saint Mary’s Children’s Home has been inexistence since 1989. The home caters for orphans and very vulnerable children providing a safe, loving and caring home with both mother and father figures in residence.  It has a capacity to house 30 children in accordance with the minimum standards set by the ministry of social welfare gender and children’s Affairs in the National alternative care policy. The Home provide a safe and caring environment for 38 child ebola survivors when  no other home in Bo District was willing to receive these survivors even though MSF declared them safe, well and non contagious.

The children’s home is funded from donations from friends and charities among which is the Saint Mary’s Children’s Home charity in Australian, The Healey Foundation, Individual family members, parishioners and The Catholic Bishop of Bo.

Meanwhile, all those who feel touch and wish to donate can do so now by contacting Caritas Bo : Why not donate and be part of this soul saving initiative of the catholic Diocese of Bo?