Trip Summary: Sierra Leone August 2008 Objective I:  Newton Dam   We had planned to lay roughly 1 ¼ miles of PVC pipe originating at the Newton Dam and terminating at elevated tank #1.  To this end, we had instructed the country director to facilitate hand digging of trench between the Newton Dam site and the first tank location in the community.  In our June trip, we had made arrangements with a local supplier to provide 3-inch PVC pipe suited to this purpose.  When we arrived in country, we discovered that the pipe was not available.  We ordered a sampling of the pipe to gain experience with its use for this project.  When it was delivered to the work site, it had sections of pipe missing that were necessary to effect connection between individual pieces.  We elected to return the pipe to the vendor and searched the city of Freetown for other possible suppliers.  We were unsuccessful in finding an alternate supplier.  Subsequently, we determined that we would need to send the PVC pipe, according to specification, in a container from the US.  This effectively delayed the connection of the water system, as originally scheduled for October.    We progressed with the construction of the five pedestals, beginning with the one located near the school.  It will be our intention, in a visit in October, to erect the platforms necessary to hold the water tanks so that water connection can be made when the pipe arrives, perhaps later in 2008 or early 2009.    I took instruments into the country to test the water for mineral volume and bacteria.  We sampled six different locations in the dam and viewed under microscope under both high and low field strength with and without stain. After centrifuge, the solids under inspection were minimal.  There were no mobile organisms to be seen and bacteria count was low.  Our conclusion was that this is an excellent water source. Bruce had come to a similar conclusion in our previous trip by sticking a cup in and taking a drink.                                                     Collecting tank at the Newton Dam site                            Checking out the new paving at the dam     Objective II:  NGO Property     Prior to my departure to Sierra Leone on this trip, I received a communication from an NGO in the area that was planning to vacate their property.  It may be recalled that a person or an outside entity does not, in effect, “own” property in Sierra Leone.  The property is leased from the community or the government for an indeterminate period of time.  The buildings and supplies on this facility have been donated by charitable organizations throughout the United States and Europe.  The NGO in question had made a strategic decision to vacate its properties in Sierra Leone.  In the communication with the community of Waterloo, they had requested that we evaluate the property for possible use by Willamette Medical Teams.  During our stay, we had opportunity to visit the property, and found it to be in excellent condition and afforded many opportunities for expanding the ministry of Willamette Medical Teams in the area.  We will continue conversation with the NGO and possible partners to effect a decision regarding this property.                                         Inside a clinic wing of a potential partner                                            In the courtyard of this beautiful clinic   Objective III:  Incorporate   We are in the process of discussing several business enterprises.  On the advice of counsel, we have made the decision to establish a corporate presence in Sierra Leone to conduct business.  We are acquainted with a citizen of Sierra Leone who currently resides in Buffalo, NY, a Mr. Anthony Saysay. Mr. Saysay had a company for 30 years in partnership with a Greek company.  The Sierra Leone corporation was called Afro-Atlantic.  Mr. Saysay offered to provide the legal structure for Afro-Atlantic to Willamette Medical Teams in as much as our objectives are humanitarian.  Mr. Saysay’s interests are to reestablish the fishing business in Sierra Leone and to provide, not only the revenue source, but the protein source available to the people.      Prior to, and during my time in Sierra Leone, I had negotiations with Mr. Saysay and his representative in Sierra Leone, Mr. Franklin Saysay, his nephew.  We were able to successfully complete negotiations, and executed documents with the Ministry of Development to reestablish Afro-Atlantic as a viable corporation, suitable to conduct business in Sierra Leone.  The certification allows us to engage in fisheries, import/export, agriculture, and general business.  Willamette Medical Teams is 80% owner of Afro-Atlantic, and the Misters Saysay share 20% between them.                                   Fishing boats like ours out in the harbor.                                    Bruce with the captain of the boat.   Objective IV:  Fishing Enterprise   During this time, I had occasion to visit a fishing village, near Waterloo, called Tombo.  Tombo is on the coast (duh) and has historically derived its principle source of income through fishing.  Historically, the waters around Sierra Leone were fished by enterprises from Europe and the former Soviet Union.  The fishing industry was crippled by the war and is just now beginning to regain structure.  The waters around Sierra Leone hold an abundant source of barracuda, which is a prized delicacy in Europe.  Because there has been no fishing enterprise for the past 20 years, the fishing supply is abundant, and the prices are at record highs.  There is also an abundance of labor available in the coastal communities of Sierra Leone, who would love to get back into the fishing business.  Taken together, this seemed to be an opportune time to develop a fishing enterprise that would support other humanitarian causes for Sierra Leone, through Willamette Medical Teams.    To that end, we requisitioned construction of a 59-foot drift boat (The Barbara Gayle).  We were able to conduct a marketing analysis to ensure that we had a ready source for purchase and met with the leadership in the community of Tombo.  We commissioned purchase of supplies and hired a crew, and expect to be in the water by the end of September.           Jerry shaking hands with the new captain of the boat              The "Barbara Gayle" getting ready to be launched    Objective V: Community Health Assessment   Emily, my daughter, is pursuing her graduate degree at Seattle University as a nurse practitioner.  As a portion of her graduate requirements, she is conducting a community health assessment in the Koya Rural District, which includes Waterloo.  Her objective was to complete 250 surveys in the four week period while she was there.  In the week that I was with her, she completed over 300 surveys and concluded the assessment.  She was able to make contact with each of the tribal regions that reside in the Koya Rural District.  The results of her study, not likely to be surprising, will do much to help us in planning for health assessment and development in the Koya Rural District, including Waterloo.    Next Steps: I plan to return to Sierra Leone in October of 2008.  Our objectives during this trip will be to: Lay platforms on the top of the pedestals for the water tanks. Conduct an assessment for a rice-growing cooperative in the Boli District. Continue to evaluate the progress of the fishing enterprise. Conclude negotiations with potential partners regarding the NGO property.