After the previous Blog Post, NHA received a lot of offers to send us supplies for the school (pencils, notebooks). We appreciate the consideration but we must ask you to refrain from the urge to donate items that require shipment to Sierra Leone.
Shipping to Sierra Leone is extremely cost prohibitive and NHA only sends items that are of most need. To date, the most productive form of shipping for us is to mail via USPS priority flat-rate boxes. However, each box is allowed a 20 pound limit and cost $55. Many times the medical tubing, syringes, etc are very light and since we are allowed 20 pounds - we cram in other items such as foil tuna packets, etc. However, each box is carefully thought out and only the most needed items are sent. So as to not waste space or poundage, we creatively use small articles of clothing, bandaids, candy for the school kids, etc as packing material. This keeps the medications safely in place during the postal journey and provides a treat for the recipients.
The best way to help NHA is to contribute financially. As you can see by the previous post we are able to purchase items in Freetown for the school, etc. Sometimes the items are higher in price than what we would find in America, but still very much cheaper than adding the overseas shipping cost of purchasing in USA and mailing to Freetown. Another plus for buying in Freetown is that it stimulates the local economy and provides for the merchants making a living.
Over-the-counter medications are not so easy to obtain in Sierra Leone and very outrageously priced. Therefore, from time to time we will make a special request for medications to be sent. We will inform you when the stock becomes low and we must restock. Until then we ask you to continue making your donations in the form of a financial gift. Thank you.
