Sick Pikin Project to Send Vulnerable Children to India for Medical Treatment

On Tuesday, 10th September 2024, The Sick Pikin Project held a press conference at the Caritas office in Kingtom, Freetown, revealing its plan to send vulnerable children to India for medical treatment.

Mrs. Grace Jones, Board Chair of the project, highlighted the organization’s achievements since its inception, noting that it has successfully addressed 306 cases, with 123 surgeries conducted overseas and 183 locally. The project has provided life-saving support to children whose families could not afford proper healthcare, restoring dignity to these households.

Mrs. Jones expressed concern over the growing number of children in dire need of assistance, with 56 cases currently awaiting funds for treatment. She emphasized the urgency of their conditions, noting the project’s struggle to secure the necessary resources.

Mr. Ishmael Alfred Charles, Lead Campaigner and Co-Founder of the Sick Pikin Project, echoed these concerns, pointing out that financial challenges have slowed their ability to send children abroad for treatment. However, he praised donors like the Bank of Sierra Leone and the Jalloh family, whose contributions have kept the project alive.

Mr. Charles announced that three children—Caleb Julian Sawaneh, Isatu Isha Kamara, and Mabinty Paulina Bangura—would be departing for New Delhi, India, on 11th September 2024. Due to limited funds, two of the children will be accompanied by their mothers, while the third will be under their supervision.

Mabinty Paulina Bangura, one of the beneficiaries, expressed her gratitude for the project, and the mother of another beneficiary, Mary K. Stevens, conveyed her relief and hope for her son’s recovery. Both called on others to support the project, stressing that their contributions could provide a second chance at life for these vulnerable children.