Rural Health Care Initiative

Saffie and her family (son Umoro in blue). In the heart of Sierra Leone, your generosity is rewriting stories of resilience and hope. Let me introduce you to Saffie, a 20-year-old mother of three who embodies the transformative power of the Rural Health Care Initiative (RHCI).

Saffie's journey began in challenging circumstances, delivering her first child in a home made of clay walls and a straw roof at just 15 years old. Thanks to RHCI, the trajectory changed for her latest child, Alice. Through RHCI's care, Saffie was monitored daily at the Birth Waiting Home, receiving both nutritious meals and crucial education while awaiting delivery.

After a safe birth and rest, Saffie returned home to her family with her healthy baby girl in her arms. Yet, RHCI's commitment to Saffie did not end there. The organization addressed the high cases of malnutrition in rural villages, implementing an intensive program that included Saffie's oldest son, Umoro. RHCI's truck traveled through jungles to transport Umoro to the Children's Hospital, where he received life-saving care paid for by RHCI.

Today, Saffie's family continues to thrive, thanks to the ongoing support of RHCI. Saffie participates in a farmer-based organization, growing nutritious food with RHCI's guidance. She relies on RHCI's Outreach Clinic for family planning and regular checkups for her children, ensuring their health and well-being.

This success story is a testament to the impact of your support. As we reflect on over a decade of change in Sierra Leone, remember Saffie and the hundreds of others like her whose lives are transformed by this comprehensive system of care. Your contribution enables not just survival but the opportunity for these families to thrive.

Consider making a difference today by supporting RHCI on Give to the Max Day. Together, we can continue to empower resilient communities and create lasting change.

Thank you for being a beacon of hope.

Expectant Mothers at the Birth Waiting Home

Rural Health Care Initiative envisions a thriving Sierra Leone where healthy pregnancies and healthy children are expected.  

Our Mission:  To partner with rural communities in Sierra Leone in rebuilding its health care system and overcoming one of the world's highest maternal and child mortality rates. 

One in 31 women in Sierra Leone die due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth, the highest in the world.  Infant and child mortality are also among the highest in the world.  But it doesn't have to be that way.    

Expectant Mothers at the Mbao-mi Mothers' Home (Birth Waiting Home) in Tikonko. This is one of two Birth Waiting Homes built and operated by Rural Health Care Initiative to give pregnant rural women access to skilled care at childbirth, which greatly increases their likelihood of a safe delivery and healthy baby.  

To learn more about our lifesaving work and our impact:     

visit our website at: www.rhcimnsl.org