Maternal and newborn mortality rates are high in Sierra Leone, with 122 deaths per 1,000 live births. Child malnutrition is a leading contributor to child deaths and is the causal chain for 60% of child deaths. Geographic access further limits pregnant women and young children from reaching health services, especially since very few villages are connected to a main road. These barriers to accessing quality healthcare are especially prevalent across Tikonko, one of 14 chiefdoms in Bo District. Large sections of Tikonko were completely destroyed from 1994-1995 during Sierra Leone’s civil war.  Innovative and accessible health services are critically needed in order to meet the needs of mothers and children in rural Tikonko.

​One Day’s Wages is partnering with Rural Health Care Initiative (RHCI) for a third year to improve maternal and child health outcomes in Tikonko Chiefdom.  Our partnership is supporting and expanding child health services through newborn home visits, an immunization program for young children, malaria case management, outreach clinics, and financial support for children with acute illness requiring hospitalization.  Children experiencing malnutrition will receive specialized treatment, including nutrition education and cooking demonstrations for caregivers. Similarly, our partnership supports and expands health services for pregnant, postpartum and lactating mothers through a women’s health clinic and financial support for obstetric emergencies requiring hospitalization.  Finally, the capacity of Tikonko’s health workers will grow through in-depth training opportunities on topics including preventative care, newborn care, immunizations, and malnutrition.