"O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. "
- Psalm 30:2 -
Mercy Hospital Dedicates New Surgical Wing
Bishop John K. Yambasu speaks during the ceremony
On Friday, January 18, Mercy Hospital officially opened the doors of its long-awaited Surgical Wing. The celebration included remarks from various dignitaries and Mercy leadership, a welcome song performed by Mercy staff, the Act of Dedication performed by Bishop Yambasu, an official ribbon-cutting and tour of the new surgical wing, and refreshments. Bishop John K. Yambasu, District Medical Officer Dr. Roland Carshon-Marsh, UMC Health Coordinator Catherine Norman, UMC Bo District Superintendent Reverend Francis Charley, Chairman of the UMC Health Board Dr. Dennis Marke, and HCW Executive Director Melody Curtiss each shared remarks at the ceremony. 
CRC holds annual Sponsor A Child Christmas Parties
The CRC welcomed all of the children in its program to their annual Sponsor-A-Child Christmas parties on December 20 and 21st. This included the 20 children from Fengehun Village. CRC Case Managers also visited Pujehun village to bring gifts and a small celebration to the CRC students there.
Each student was presented with an inflatable solar light, a wristband and some toiletries. Students also enjoyed food and drinks, and a nativity play performed by students in the CRC program. HCW Missioner, Chris Davis was able to attend one of these parties and offer his services in assisting with the party.

For the first time, parents were encouraged to attend and assist with serving food and drink. The staff entertained parents and their CRC students with a skit designed to teach them how to form stronger attachments with each other.
Mercy Launches Electronic Medical Information System
On Friday, January 18, Mercy Hospital officially launched its Electronic Medical Information System (EMIS) - a database which will enable the hospital to use electronic medical records to track patient data. The first electronic records management system in the country, the database will have a positive impact on patient care as it will be much easier to access a patient's history and chart. Hospital Administrator, Jinnah Lahai, is thrilled about this new addition to Mercy. “It has added more value to Mercy in comparison to other facilities. It will lead to greater transparency and data security."
Helping Babies Breathe Training Held at Mercy
Saturday, January 12, five Mercy staff attended the "Helping Babies Breathe" training held in the Great Hall at the CRC. The training, arranged by Carol Nelson of Rural Health Initiative was led by neonatologist Dr. Sulaiman Sannoh. Dr. Sannoh, a native of Bo, is currently working in New Jersey.
Want to travel to Bo?
Join the July 2019 Mission Team!
Applications are being accepted for the July 2019 Helping Children Worldwide trip to serve at the Child Rescue Centre and Mercy Hospital in Bo, Sierra Leone. Projects may include teacher learning exchange, medical projects and outreach, and other opportunities to support the staff of the CRC and Mercy. Sponsors of CRC students will have the opportunity to visit the student they sponsor.  

Projected trip dates are July 13 - 27, 2019.  An interest meeting will be held on January 26th at 10 AM by teleconference or in person at the HCW office in Chantilly, VA. The application deadline for this team is January 31, 2019. 

For more information on the application process, or for teleconference instructions for the interest meeting, email Linda at  [email protected]
2019 Mission Trips information meetings and deadlines
Have you thought about traveling to Sierra Leone with one of our UMVIM teams? The deadlines for the Summer and Fall 2019 teams are approaching. Apply today!
2019 UMVIM TRIP SCHEDULE

Travel Dates: May 18 - June 1, 2019
Interest Meeting: Dec 15, 2018
Application Deadline: CLOSED

Travel Dates: July 13 - July 27, 2019
Interest Meeting: Jan 26, 2019, 10 AM
Application Deadline: Jan 31, 2019

Travel Dates: Oct 19 - Nov 2, 2019
Interest Meeting: Apr 27, 2019, 10 AM
Application Deadline: Apr 30, 2019
Did you make a donation to Helping Children Worldwide in 2018? 91% of companies match employee charitable contributions with at least a 1:1 ratio, that means you can DOUBLE your impact by participating in your company's matching gift program! Use our search engine to find out if your company has a matching gift program and get the process started today with the correct forms, guidelines, and deadlines. Your contributions and matching gifts can help Helping Children Worldwide, the Child Rescue Centre, Mercy Hospital, and the Missionary Training Centre make an even greater impact in Sierra Leone in 2019.
HELP LAUNCH FUDIA'S COOKBOOK
Be a part of the LAUNCH CAMPAIGN to publish and produce Fudia's Cookbook, which will feature a wonderful collection of recipes, photos, stories of life and culture of Sierra Leone, as well as the history of the Missionary Training Centre on the UMC Urban Campus Bo, and Helping Children Worldwide's mission in West Africa. 

All funds raised through sales of Fudia's Cookbook will support the care and maintenance of the MTC and the mission teams who travel to Sierra Leone through HCW.
Help us help you!
Are you not getting information you want or getting too many emails from us?
Update your profile at the link below so we can better serve you
Helping Children Worldwide is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org | EIN 76-0729857 | CFC #44370