BETTER LIVES FOUNDATION Helping to better lives

Bringing over 30 years

experience

Supporting 24 projects

More then 400volunteersworldwide

BLF a unique opportunity

Chairperson’s MessageSince August 2014 we have dedicated ourselves to fund raising for our Ebola Program in Sierra Leone & our Medical Camps in Uttrakhand, India.

We are very sad that we have lost friends and colleagues to this deadly disease of Ebola, which continues to take a toll on the whole community.

BLF Volunteers in Sierra Leone have been trained in Freetown at the Ebola Treatment Centre, on Ebola Awareness & Prevention. They have successfully managed to spread the word in the local community through BLF outreach program. This includes Preventative Care, Containment of Ebola and Assisting the Quarantined Families.

Your continued support saves lives by enabling us to organise monthly supplies of Food Parcels, Medical Aid, Protective Wear and Hygiene Items to Quarantined Families in The Yoni Chiefdom.

Our Medical Work in Uttrakhand, India will continue in remote villages, with the next Team going out in April 2015. Over a 5 day period we are preparing to treat over 3000 patients.

Volunteers are involved in many fund raising events; Running the Brighton Half Marathon, enchanting vibrant colourful “Rhythms of Raas” Garba Event, Yorkshire 3 Peak’s Challenge, thrilling Skydiving and A Masquerade Ball to raise awareness and vital funding for Charities ongoing work.

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all our supporters, well-wishers, donors, sponsors, advertisers and above all our dedicated VOLUNTEERS, who have helped with our ongoing Projects.

Devi Patel, Chairperson

High Commisioners Message

In Sierra Leone Better Lives Foundation has been doing amazing work espe-cially through the recent Ebola Outbreak in the country. Their support has been imperative in ensuring they continue to provide educational training and medical support to some of the most remote places in Sierra Leone. Despite the fact that some of those patients treated are from a low income background, the organisation has continued its work to ensure it can continue being active during the outbreak. All volunteers have such a huge passion for what they do and i am extremely impressed with them covering their own travel and accommodation to ensure those who need their knowledge and medical support are not forgotten. This is an amazing foundation that needs all the support they can have.

His Excellency Mr. Edward M. TurayHigh Commissioner of the Republic of Sierra Leone

To the UK and Northern Ireland

Our MissionSUSTAINABILITY IS AT THE CORE OF EVERYTHING WE DO

Sustainability is the key to a successful medical camp. We recognise the synergy between the commercial and ethical objective and the result has been to create an ethical culture in everything we do. We strive to achieve our project objectives and partner with like-minded charities to provide additional support for our ongoing initiatives.

WHAT WE DO:

• We better people’s lives and develop a self-supportive structure

• We actively work to provide Free Medical Aid in those areas where it is scarce or virtually non-existent

• We implement camps including pre and post-operative care where needed.

• We initiate Village Outreach Programs to facilitate ‘preventative’ healthcare.

• We build and establish Primary Heath Care Clinics and Day Case Surgical Units

• We provide health education that is relevant to the needs of the local population and environment.

• We work in partnership with other charitable organisation

WHAT WE DON’T DO:

• We don’t give anything less then 100% in our healthcare, ethics and integrity.

• We never leave an area until our project is completed and handed over.

• We don’t cut corners or work in half measures, everything we do matters.

Dee Kathrecha Photography

Contact: 07960960581www.hddesigns.co.uk

www.facebook.com/hddesigns.co.uk

Opening TimesClaim 10% off

your purchase

when you quote

AimLocal

Specialists in:

28 Watford Road Sudbury HA0 3EPwww.jalsafood.com / info@jalsafood.com

0208 908 4148

- Jalebi and Ghatiya- Pure Mava sweets- Chaat Counter

Monday - Friday10:00 am to 7:00 pmSaturday & Sunday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm

- Outdoor Catering- Tiffin Services- Pure Kaju Sweets

Specialists in:Jalebi and Ghatyia | Pure Mava Sweets | Chaat Counter | Outdoor Catering |

Tiffin Services | Pure Kaju Sweets

Opening Times:Mon-Fri: 10:00am to 7:00pmSat & Sun: 9:00am to 7:00pm

0208 908 414828 Watford Road Sudbury HA0 3EP

www.jalsafoods.com | Info@jalsafoods.com

“I have been to The Better Lives Medical Camp to Sierra Leone twice now. It has been a thoroughly satisfying and humbling experienceforme.OnmyfirstvisitIwasoverwhelmed by the amount of local people that visited the camp. The sheer hard work that goes into making each camp successful, from all the drugs required to accommodate the patients, the logistics of the trip, the feeding of all the volunteers that are part of the Medical Camp.

Ifoundthe10dayssoveryfulfillingandsatisfying.Theextremeheatdidnotphase me or any of the other volunteers. We equipped ourselves with water and caps and did what was required. I wish that in the future there is enough funding so that there is a facility there for daily administration for minor ailments so that it eases the pressure slightly when the main General, Optical or Hernia Camps are carried out.On my second visit I found that a lot of the old paper processes had been computerised making it so much more efficient.Afencehadbeenbuiltandshadedseating constructed to allow the patients relief from the blazing sun. There is never any shortage of volunteers from Medical orgeneralfieldsaspeoplevarenowmoreaware of giving back to society.I had a fantastic time, not once did I miss the things we take for granted. There was magic is bathing by the well under the stars with storms brewing, the generator would pack up without notice leaving us with candle light. I look forward to my next trip.”

SHILPA PATEL, Wallington 7

Personal Experiences

Our MilestonesOver the last 9 years we have worked on a long term sustainable development plan in Yonibana, Sierra Leone. We have built and establish a Primary Health Care Clinic, a Day Case Surgical Unit and implemented a Preventative Health Education Program. In the long term we will aim to prevent and reduce the 5 most common diagnosis in Sierra Leone; • Malaria • Acute Respiratory Infections • Hypertension • Gastroenteritis • Malnutrition

• Adopted 4 Schools - R.C Primary School, Kumrabai Area and R.C Primary School, Masethleh Area, Yonibana Secondary School and Mile 88 School

• 502 local volunteers trained in Nursing, Basic Medical Proticals, Computer Literacy and in Education Training Program

• 2 Dentists were trained by BLF who have started their own clinics

• 13 PostGraduateCommunityHealthOfficersfromNjalaMedicalSchool,completed Ophthalmology Clinical & Surgical Training with BLF. These students will be stationed in Government Clinics in the 13 Districts of Sierra Leone

SUSTAINABILITY IS AT THE CORE OF EVERYTHING WE DO

9

BLF successes up to 2014:

• Registered UK Charity• Construction of “Yonibana Sai Hospital” and Guest House• OfficialCertificateof Accreditationtoprovidequalityhealthcareregistered

by The Medical & Dental Council of Sierra Leone• “YonibanaSaiHospital”OfficiallyopenedbytheMinisterof Health&

Sanitation• Shipped 1 container from India with Hospital Equipment• Shipped 3 containers from UK with Hospital Equipment, Medicines,

Fixtures, Clothes, Shoes, Stationary, Computers, Educational Material and School Furniture

• 52 Students are sponsored by BLF to further their studies to qualify in differentfieldstostrengthenanddevelopaself supportingstructureintheTonkolili District as shown

• BLF is supported by over 400 volunteers worldwide.

• BLF has treated in excess of 43,800 patients to 2014.

Kishan SankrechaMobile MilkshakesContact: 07985665466 info@shakewala.comTwitter: @shakewalaFacebook: shakewalawww.shakewala.com

PrakashSkylift ImageContact: 07879854158Twitter: @prakashskyliftFacebook: SkyliftImageswww.skyliftimage.com

BLF Ebola Update“Yonibana Sai Hospital” is situated in Tonkolili District, which is one of the most economically productive parts of Sierra Leone. A district of around 400,000 people in West Africa. Tonkolili has been quarantined four times since this outbreak of Ebola, which no one is allowed to leave or enter without special dispensation,inanefforttocombatanoutbreakwhichisspirallingoutof control, with 1,400 deaths so far. Each quarantine period lasts a minimum of 21 days. It is experiencing a continued spread which threatens its farming and mining industries.

BLF Food & Protective Equipment Aid

In January 2015 alone, according to The Ministry of Health and Sanitation:

• 8,048Cumulativeconfirmedcases 448 Tonkolili District

• 2,188 Recorded Survived and Discharged Cases

• 2,885Recordedconfirmeddeath

13

The deadliest Ebola epidemic on record has infected almost 20,000 people in WestAfricaandalthoughtheofficialdeathtollisjustunder6,000,expertsbelievethe real fatality rate may be as high as 60 or 70 percent.

The virus can fell its victims within days, causing rampant fever, severe muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and in many cases unstoppable internal and external bleeding.

Ethnic Elegance For The

Modern Woman

We specialize in a range of Sarees and bespoke outfits made from Natural Fibre for the Elegant Modern Woman

Come and view our exclusive range by appointment with

Meena E-mail: meenapatel109@gmail.com

Mobile: 07956 385493 We are proud to be associated with Better Lives Foundation who continue to

excel in the service for the needy

Visit and Like our FaceBook Page on www.facebook.com/pages/Ethnic-Elegance-for-the-Modern-Woman/410930112384542

actively supports

Better Lives Foundation

Nira & Dipak Radia & Family would like to wish all volunteers and supporters of

Better Lives Foundation

A very successful

Rhythms of Raas Garba Event

And all future endeavours

WELLSWOOD PHARMACY

Wellswood House, Fairway Avenue, Borehamwood Herts WD6 1PU T: 0208 2076530

www.wellswoodpharmacy.co.uk

15

A truly remarkable experience that has helped me develop a sense of independenceandself-confidencethatwillmotivate me to help others for the rest of my life. Even amongst the hustle and bustle, I felt like a part of a cohesive team.

Thefirstdaythatthehospitalopenedwas probably the toughest day of work. I spent some time learning how to interact with the diverse range of people and deal with the various medical problems that came through the door. I began to develop

Personal Experiences

17

friendships not only with fellow BLF volunteers, but also with the local volunteers. The strengths and talents that I discovered through this trip will certainly help me clarify my careerpathandwillgivemetheconfidencetoexplore exciting career options in the future. On this trip, I learned more than express on paper, and I believe that over those ten days, I worked the hardest that I ever have. I know now that medicine is indeed the correct career path for me; it was easy to loose track of time while in the hospital, and found myself wanting to stay late or extend the day. This trip has helped me realize how lucky I am, and it has shown me that by seekingtounderstanddifferentculturesandwaysof living, I can also better understand myself.

KRISHAN CHIBBA, Medical Student, California.

It was a wonderful wealth of experience to see people working tirelessly everyday and to have the chance to watch, help and become one of those people. It was trurly inspiring to see the doctors that give their patients sight, nurses that take away pain and orthopaedic surgeons rehabilitate patients so they can walk again.

I’mnotaqualifiedhealthcareprofessionalyet,butI’mgladIwasthere…What really made the trip incredible was 40 of the most interesting, funniest caring people I’ve met in a long time. They transformed the experience completely and made everyday so much fun, taught me so much as we worked together and gave me a home away from home.

VIDHYA CHAUHAN Medical Student

Against consecutive obstacles the theatre was set up to carry out intraocular eye surgery. Sharon and Emme our 2 trained nurses along with our other volunteers from the UK were fantastic in carrying out ‘deep’ cleaning.68 Surgical procedures over 7 days, involving removal of dense cataracts as well as managing aggressive glaucoma indolent in Western Africa. NIRAL KARIA BSc, FRCOphth, Consultant Ophthalmologist

3 To

otin

g B

ec G

arde

ns

Stre

atha

m, L

ondo

n SW

16 1

QY

Phon

e: 0

20 8

677

9677

Em

ail:

stm

aryc

areh

ome@

gmai

l.com

Pr

oprie

tors

: Sub

ir &

Kin

nari

Pate

l

19

JOIN OUR MEDICAL CAMPS AND BE APART OF SOMETHING SPECIAL

www.facebook.com/BetterLivesFoundationJoin us on Facebook, see our updates, share pictures and connect with other volunteers.

@BLFCharityFollow us for live updates and see what other volunteers have been tweeting. #RoRSee photos and information from our last fund raiser. Can’t come on a camp? Support BLF from home.

http://www.betterlivesfoundation.orgVisit our website for more information, photos from our camps and event, or to donate.

Info@betterlivesfoundation.orgEmail us with your questions and quires. Someone from our team will personally get back to you.

@

Find Out More

Instructions to your bank or building society to pay by standing order. Name and full postal address of you bank and building society. To (Name of bank):

At (You bank’s full address);

Postcode:

Bank Sort Code

Account Number

Please pay Better Lives Foundation by Standing Order from the account detailed on this instruction. I understand that this instruction may remain with Better Lives Foundation and if so, details will be passed electronically to my bank/building society. Signature: Date:

BETTER LIVES FOUNDATION Charity No.: 1122290Tel: +44 (0)203 239 1201

Email: info@betterlivesfoundation.org Web: www.betterlivesfoundation.org

Your Gift - One Off or by Standing Order(Please tick only one as appropriate)

I would like to give a single gift of £__________ to “Better Lives Foundation”

Standing order-Please pay “Better Lives Foundation”, HSBC Bank, Southall Branch, Sort Code: 40-42-13 Acc No.: 81527886 Quoting(Your Name):________________________________The sum of £____________ monthly/quarterly/yearly till further notice or cancelled by me.

I wish to make my donation by way of a standing order on the

3rd 10th 20th 28th day of the month (Tick as appropriate)

I would like to make my 1st donation during the month of________________ (Please choose a start date at least one month from now)

Your Bank Instructions - Standing Order

Note that banks and building societies may not accept Standing Order instructions from some types of accounts.PLEASE COMPLETE & RETURN THIS FORM TO YOUR BANK

How can you help?

Title NameAddress

Post Code

DOB

Sign Date