In 2016, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation awarded the Healey International Relief Foundation (HIRF) a grant to support advanced education for Holy Sisters in Sierra Leone. While the project formally concluded in 2022, the ripple effects continue as graduates enter the field with advanced degrees, boosting Sierra Leone’s healthcare system. Recently, we received a heartfelt letter from Sister Norah Oyagi who earned her MBA in Healthcare Management from Strathmore University in Kenya. Her words underscore the scholarship’s transformative impact on Sierra Leone’s health system.
An Opportunity To Work Together For Change
Reflecting on her journey, Sr. Oyagi shared, “I look forward to collaborating and applying what I’ve learned to strengthen Sierra Leone’s health landscape. This scholarship has empowered me to make a difference.”
She recalled how her encounter with HIRF staff at Holy Spirit Hospital inspired her to pursue further education. “When I was working in the Catholic Diocese of Makeni, I met HIRF staff dedicated to improving our health system. Their commitment sparked something in me—I saw a pathway to contribute more effectively by going back to school.”
Building Local Capacity for Long-Term Impact
Building a sustainable and resilient healthcare workforce is a cornerstone of HIRF’s mission. With support from the Hilton Scholarship program, nine Sisters pursued advanced degrees in healthcare fields, enhancing the local capacity to address Sierra Leone’s pressing health needs. Sierra Leone’s nurse-to-patient ratio—among the lowest globally at 1.65 nurses per 1,000 people—underscores the urgent need for this initiative.
Each additional healthcare professional makes a difference. Sisters are now registered nurses, equipped to deliver essential care, especially in underserved regions.
One Sister in Makeni, for example, now leads diabetes education outreach in nearby villages, educating communities on diabetes management and prevention and addressing a rising need for chronic illness management in rural communities with limited access to care. This grassroots engagement is vital as diabetes rates continue to rise, particularly in areas with limited healthcare. Her work exemplifies the program’s ability to meet specific community health challenges.
Addressing Mental Health Needs
Sierra Leone’s need for mental health services is acute, especially in rural areas where trauma from past conflicts, the Ebola epidemic, and ongoing socio-economic hardships is common. Thanks to the Hilton Scholarship, two Sisters pursued advanced degrees in mental health counseling, equipping them to address this often overlooked and under-served aspect of public health. Their work is a lifeline for communities, providing support for individuals and their families grappling with trauma and mental health challenges.
Tackling Public Health Concerns
With degrees in public health, three Sisters have focused on the prevention of both communicable and noncommunicable diseases, impacting communities in profound ways. Sister Magdalene Umoh, a Master of Science graduate in Occupational and Environmental Health & Safety, now heads the Public Health Department at Makeni University. She reaches up to 200,000 listeners through radio broadcasts, discussing hygiene, environmental protection, deforestation, maternal health, and more. Her annual health campaign brings free testing and essential health education to rural areas, directly benefiting hundreds.
Lasting Community Impact
Through the Hilton Scholarship Program, 26 Sisters have earned advanced degrees, expanding their roles in healthcare, education, and business. Their contributions extend beyond immediate care; they are shaping public health policy, educating communities, and building the capacity of local leaders and building a foundation for sustainable change in Sierra Leone’s health system. As HIRF Executive Director Josephine Garnem emphasized, “This program has transformed the sisters into community leaders who are driving public health initiatives, shaping policy, training others and creating community partnerships that multiply their impact. This embodies HIRF’s commitment to capacity building, which remains at the heart of our mission.”
To learn more about our capacity building efforts click here.
