Stories
July 29, 2025 • 2 min read
In Guara Chiefdom’s Perri town, residents and local leaders marked the handover of a newly constructed maternal and child health post. The unit replaces an overcrowded, under-resourced facility where women once gave birth on the floor. Funded through generous donor support following a powerful visit by GOAL’s Board, the new unit offers safe, dignified care for mothers and newborns.
Perri, a rural town in Sierra Leone’s Kenema District, has long struggled with inadequate maternal healthcare infrastructure. In 2023, a visit by GOAL’s Board and senior leadership revealed the urgency of the situation: two women in simultaneous labour had to share a single bed, one giving birth on the floor. The visit spurred immediate action from donor partners, enabling GOAL to construct and equip a modern maternal and child health post. This intervention supports national efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.
A Facility Rooted in Urgency and Community Need
In Perri, Guara Chiefdom, community members and local leaders gathered to celebrate the opening of a fully equipped maternal and child health post, one that responds to years of pressing need. The ceremony was a moment of pride, but also a moment of reflection. James Riak, Country Director of GOAL Sierra Leone, recalled a 2023 visit that had a profound influence on the project’s origin. “That visit left a lasting impression after realising that a woman had given birth the night before, and another was in active labour. The room was so small, our delegation couldn’t fit inside,” he said. He further shared how the community described a moment when two women were in labour simultaneously: “One had to use the single available bed, while the other gave birth on the bare floor. It was a moment that underscored the urgent need for change.”
A Safe, Dignified Space for Mothers and Newborns
The newly built facility includes two beds in the labour ward, four in the postnatal ward, a fully functional washroom, and essential medical equipment. Its impact was immediately visible. Lucia, a patient who arrived just a day before the opening, shared her experience: “Even in pain, I came here because I knew I would be in good hands. There are now sufficient beds, and a toilet is available inside the labour ward. I didn’t have to go far. That matters when you’re in labour.” She shared the room with Mariama, another pregnant woman. Their experience highlighted the core purpose of the project, ensuring no woman is forced to give birth on the floor again.
A Continued Commitment to Maternal Health
At the handover event, District Health worker, Hawa Kallon, applauded GOAL’s dedication to improving health outcomes in Kenema: “Since 2017, you have done so much to improve healthcare in Guara, Koya, Dama, Tonkia and across the district. GOAL is a household name doing a marvellous job.”
James Riak also expressed appreciation to donor partners and reinforced GOAL’s alignment with the Ministry of Health’s maternal health objectives. He said, “The facility belongs to the community, and it is the community’s responsibility to ensure its sustainability and support the healthcare workers operating the facility so they can remain motivated,”. GOAL is now supporting the construction of two additional facilities in Sandaru and Sembehun, expanding its mission to promote safe motherhood across the district.
