Hygiene Drive to Combat Ebola in Sierra Leone

Esperanca and BeaVan Charities, another local nonprofit that provides comprehensive solution to the grave problem of malnutrition in Sierra Leone, West Africa, have joined forces to collect much-needed hygiene supplies for the people of Sierra Leone.

“The Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone and particularly the capital Freetown is getting worse,” said Tom Egan, president and CEO of Esperança. “The once commercial center of the country is being hit incredibly hard.  Basic hygiene supplies are desperately needed.  We’re coming together with BeaVan Charities to collect hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and basic cleaning supplies.  Our goal is to send care packages weekly to the areas hardest hit.”

BeaVan Charities has been informed by our contacts in the area that they are lacking basic hygiene supplies.  There is no cure for Ebola and as it stands only these small protective measures will help.  We’re hoping the community will come together and help us collect supplies for the people in West Africa.”

Here are the supplies that are greatly needed:

  • Anti-bacterial soap
  • Bleach based germicidal Clorox wipes
  • Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer, 4oz flip-cap bottle
  • PURELL Premoistened Sanitizing Hand Wipes, 5 x 7, 100/Box
  • Baby Wipes
  • Disposable Diapers
  • Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
  • Plastic Gloves
  • donations to purchase Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food (for children in quarantined communities that have already started experiencing food shortages)

Donations can be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., at Esperanca’s office, located at 1911 W. Earll Dr. Phoenix, AZ 85015 or you can make a donation either on our website or on the Esperanca website at www.esperanca.org/sanitize

“As with other infectious diseases, one of the most important preventive measures is frequent hand-washing.  Use soap and water, or alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60% alcohol when soap and water are not available"

                                                                                                                                 -      Ebola Virus and Marburg virus Prevention

(Mayo Clinic)

 “The Ebola Virus can be relatively easily eliminated with heat, alcohol-based products, and sodium hypochlorine (bleach)or calcium “hypochlorite (bleaching powder) at appropriate concentrations”

 “Alcohol-based hand rubs should be made available at every point of care (at the entrance and within the isolation rooms/areas) and are the standard of care”-

 “It is advisable to provide workers undertaking contact tracing and case finding in the community with alcohol-based hand rub solutions and instructions to appropriately perform hand hygiene”~

  (Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance with Focus on Ebola-)

(World Health Organization)

August 2014