Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 Homecoming - Week 2 (Part II)

Hello world!!!

Hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing fantastic, thanks to the Almighty. As promised, I'll be writing detailed blogs about my adventures during my recent Homecoming Trip to Salone as Miss Sierra Leone USA; read my preview blog post. On Tuesday (May 7th) morning, I visited the Embassy of the United States of America and had a meeting with Ambassador Michael Owen, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Sierra Leone. As a U.S. Citizen, it was fitting for me to pay a courtesy call to the Ambassador and officially talk about my Homecoming trip. At the meeting, I spoke about the purpose of my Homecoming trip, my reasons for getting involved with the MSLDC Inc. organization and the Miss Sierra Leone USA Pageant, my  platforms as Miss Sierra Leone USA, my endeavors as a mining engineering student, and many more. Ambassador Owen was very welcoming and expressed his excitement to meet me, and also discussed the importance of Sierra Leone-USA relationships, and the importance of Sierra Leone’s diaspora to both countries. Unfortunately, I didn't get to take a photo with the Ambassador with my camera due to the fact that their a zero-tolerance for cameras at the embassy but a photo was taken by the embassy's photographer and I'll share it when I receive it in my inbox!

On Thursday (May 9th) morning, I visited Rokupa Government Hospital. As a daughter of a nurse who loves and cares for her patients, members in the healthcare sector are very important to me and that is why I made it a priority to visit these medical institutions, interact with the patients, and express my gratitude to the medical practitioners and hospital staff. In addition, in my personal platform (advocating for SHERO), H is for health. Also, the national platform of the Miss Sierra Leone USA Pageant is improving infant and maternal health in Salone.

Left-Right:
Matron Binty Bangura,
Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson,
and Matron Hawa Janneh

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and nurses of
Rokupa Government Hospital in the antenatal clinic

At midday, I visited The Sierra Leone Psychiatric Hospital in Kissy. This hospital was opened in 1823, one of the oldest psychiatric institutions in West Africa, and the only institution in mental health in Sierra Leone that caters to patients who come from all districts of the nation. During my visit, Dr. A. Muana (the hospital's medical superintendent) discussed the institution's history, its challenges, the importance of mental health in our nation, and many more. I got to visit the female and male wards, and interact with the patients in the 6/10 wards that are primarily used at the moment. Getting to interact with the patients brought a lot of emotions for me because on one end, I was happy to see that the hospital is a great resource for those that need mental health care and have the opportunity to have a healthier future; this hospital provides free healthcare to all patients. However, it was difficult to see how young and vibrant most of the patients were, most of them were 30 years old and younger, and primarily men. In addition, this hospital also caters to individuals dealing with drug abuse and used as a rehabilitation center due to the fact that Sierra Leone currently does not have drug rehabilitation centers. The hospital has very few mental health professionals, and some nurses do their practicals at this institution; I got to meet them and thank them for their service.

I'm pictured below with Matron Anneiru K. Braimah, who kindly gave me a tour of the hospital. Besides my interaction with the patients and nurses, I also got to see and express my gratitude to the kitchen staff. Their role in cooking nutritious food for the patients is very relevant, and they are a key contribution in the development of the hospital. I am very grateful to have had a chance to visit this institution, especially since I know the importance and relevance of mental health in a community, and I plan to help raise awareness on this sector as well as the hospital. Hopefully this post will inspire you to do the same as well.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and Matron Anneiru K. Braimah

Later that afternoon, I visited the United Methodist Health and Medical Services; this institution has a general hospital and an eye clinic. During my visit, I visited the various wards of the hospital and interacted with the patients in the female and male wards, meet and thank the nurses, doctors, and staff for their dedicated service to the welfare of the patients. In the photo below, I'm pictured with little baby Gifty, who was just a few days old. Baby Gifty and her mother, Yeabu, currently benefit from our nation's free healthcare system for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children 5 years old and below.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and baby Gifty

"The soul is healed by being with children"

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 and nurses of United Methodist Health hospital

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and Mr. Johanes (son of one of the nurses)

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and the hospital's pharmacists

Overall, I had a productive day that was very informational. I'm grateful for the knowledge I gained at all institutions, and ability to have been given this opportunity. I hope to give back in some way from this experience.

Ruby B. Johnson,
Your Miss Sierra Leone USA.

Like my Facebook Page & Follow me on Twitter (@MissSaloneUSA)

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 Homecoming - Week 1 (Part IV)

Hello world!!!

Hope you and yours are doing well. This summer season has been very good to me, and all I can do is thank the Almighty. As promised, I'll be writing detailed blogs about my adventures during my recent Homecoming Trip to Salone as Miss Sierra Leone USA; read my preview blog post. On Friday (May 3rd) midday, I visited Ola During Children's Hospital. Catch up on where I spent the morning in my previous blog post.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 Ruby B. Johnson and Miss Kadija at Ola During Children's Hospital

Ola During Children's Hospital is the only children's hospital in Sierra Leone. In the photo above, I was getting to know little Miss Khadija and her mama. Khadija was shy but such a sweet little girl!

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 Ruby B. Johnson and Nurse Musu

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 and Matron Aminata Lahai

The beautiful lady I am pictured with in the photo above is Matron Aminata Lahai (Matron at Ola During Children's Hospital), and she was very kind to take me on a tour around the hospital that afternoon.

Left-Right:
Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson,
Dr. David E. Baion (Specialist Pediatrician), and
Matron Aminata Lahai

Dr. Sesay and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 and nurses of Ola During Children's Hospital

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 and member of Ola During Children's Hospital Kitchen Staff

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 and members of Ola During Children's Hospital Kitchen Staff

In the two photos above, I'm pictured with some members of the kitchen staff. Besides giving thanks to the nurses, doctors, and matrons that serve the patients, I made it a duty to thank the kitchen staff as well. Their contribution of cooking nutritious food for the patients is very important, and their service is very relevant in the welfare of the children.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 and Ola During Children's Hospital nurse

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 watches as Dr. Ishatu Mustapha does check-up on one of the children at Ola During Children's Hospital

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 and nurses at Ola During Children's Hospital

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 Ruby B. Johnson and newborn at Ola During Children's Hospital

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 Ruby B. Johnson and newborn at Ola During Children's Hospital

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 and nurses at Ola During Children's Hospital

Ola During Children's Hospital is the national pediatric referral center for the whole of Salone. This hospital also serves as the pediatric training facility for the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) students. In the photo below, I was getting to know little Mr. Mohamed and his mama, Yeama. He was a sweet and friendly little boy!

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 and baby Mohamed and his mother, Yeama

Later that afternoon, I visited the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital, also known as Cottage Hospital. PCMH is the largest public maternity hospital in Sierra Leone. I was given a tour of the entire hospital by the Matron of the hospital, Matron Margaret Mannah, and Matron Ruby Williams. These women served as fantastic hosts, and welcomed me as their own daughter.

Left-Right:
Matron Ruby Williams,
Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson,
and Matron Margaret Mannah of PCMH

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 and Matrons of Princess Christian Maternity Hospital

This week was National Midwifery Week in Sierra Leone, and I got to know some valuable information about Sierra Leone's midwifery programs. The ladies wearing white in the photo above are also midwives, and were wearing those shirts in commemoration of the Week.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 with Matrons and nurses of Princess Christian Maternity Hospital

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 and newborn twins at Cottage Hospital (PCMH)

In this photo above, I was in the General Labor Ward welcoming two cuties that were born few hours ago, welcoming them to our native land Sierra Leone and the world! If you've followed my blog from the beginning of my time of as service as Miss Sierra Leone USA, you should know by now that I absolutely love and adore people's kids, so this day was one of my favorite times during my 2013 Miss Sierra Leone USA Homecoming Tour!!!

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 and nurses at Cottage Hospital (PCMH)

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 with Matrons and Nurses at Cottage Hospital (PCMH)

Miss Sierra Leone USA and PCMH's Pharmacists and Secretary

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 and student Nurses at PCMH

"Dis na wi Miss Salone, nahin de reprizent wi na Amerika!" This was the introduction that I was frequently given and whenever I heard it and received the warm welcome, I felt very honored & proud to be your Miss Sierra Leone USA!

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson,
Matron Margaret Mannah (woman in Afrikana), and
student Nurses at Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (Cottage)

In the photo above, I am pictured with some nursing students from various institutions that are doing their practicals at PCMH. The Sierra Leone nursing program is no joke and very intense, my mom and other nurses trained in Salone can testify to this.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 and PCMH Antenatal Clinic Staff

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 and PCMH Antenatal Clinic Staff

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 tours Princess Christian Maternity Hospital

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 and Matron Margaret Mannah of Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (Cottage)

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 and Matrons during PCMH tour

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 with Matrons and Nurses of Princess Christian Maternity Hospital

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 and Nurses at Cottage Hospital (PCMH)

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 and Dr. A.D. Koroma of Princess Christian Maternity Hospital

Dr. A.D. Koroma of Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (Cottage)
and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Dr. A.D. Koroma of Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (Cottage)
and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Overall, I had a great time visiting these two hospitals, getting to interact with the patients and express my gratitude to the hospitals's doctors, nurses, matrons, and staff. Visits to these hospitals were very important and rewarding because: health is one of the five pillars in my personal platform (advocating for SHERO) as Miss Sierra Leone USA, and the national platform of the Miss Sierra Leone USA Pageant and MSLDC Inc. is improving maternal and infant health in Sierra Leone. I appreciated every moment of these tours, and I'm humbled to have been welcome with open arms.

Stay tuned, there's one more appearance I have to write about in the upcoming blog about on this day!

Ruby B. Johnson,
Your Miss Sierra Leone USA

Like my Facebook Page & Follow me on Twitter (@MissSaloneUSA)

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 Homecoming - Week 1 (Part III)

Hello world!!!

Hope you and yours are doing well. I've been enjoying the summer weather and doing fantastic, thanks to the Almighty. As promised, I'll be writing detailed blogs about my adventures during my recent homecoming trip to Salone as Miss Sierra Leone USA; read my preview blog post. On Friday (May 3rd) morning, I visited the EducAid School at Lumley, run by Mrs. Miriam Mason Sesay.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 with EducAid Sierra Leone students

In the photo above, I'm pictured with the students that gave me a tour of their school. The girls are part of the science stream with hopes of becoming medical doctors as well as arts stream, and the boy is in the commercial stream. Listening to them talk about their studies and academic dreams was very inspiring to me.

Students of EducAid Sierra Leone

The EducAid Sierra Leone school in Lumley provides FREE secondary school education to their students, and prepares them for national exams (some were taking mock exams during my visit), the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 visits EducAid Sierra Leone

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 visits EducAid Sierra Leone

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 visits EducAid Sierra Leone

Miss Sierra Leone USA speaking to students of EducAid Sierra Leone's Women's Project

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 with students of EducAid Sierra Leone's Women's Project

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson with students of EducAid Sierra Leone's Women's Project

The Women's Project program provides education to girls and women who are teen mothers, dropouts, single parents, etc. During my meeting with the students of this program, I spoke about the significance of women's education and that we women are truly the backbone of our communities, "educate a woman, she and her community will benefit!" In addition, as a current student I believe in the power of education and that is why I decided to make education one of the pillars of my personal platform (advocating for SHERO) as Miss Sierra Leone USA.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 speaking to students of EducAid Sierra Leone

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 speaking to students of EducAid Sierra Leone

Before the end of my visit, I spoke with the students about the importance of education, and that the future of Sierra Leone is in our hands as the leaders and builders of tomorrow.

Students of EducAid Sierra Leone

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson speaking with students of EducAid Sierra Leone

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest"

Later that morning I visited Lumley Government Hospital, spoke with the Matron and Medical Superintendent, and interacted with the patients, nurses and staff, and babies! The babies and young mothers of today in Sierra Leone benefit from our country's free healthcare service to pregnant women, children 5 years old and below, and lactating mothers. Being that Health is one of the pillars of my platform SHERO, I see this opportunity to be very relevant and a fantastic service to our Salone women, mothers, and babies.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 and Baby Mister. Sierra Leone

The little baby boy I'm carrying in the photo above was one of the many cuties that were there for a check-up, and is one of the babies that benefit from our nation's free healthcare service to children under 5 years old and lactating mothers (his mother is the beautiful lady in brown to my right).

Medical Superintendent Dr. George (Lumley Gov't Hospital) and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 and nurse anesthetist Mary Katta (Lumley Gov't Hospital)

Matron Winifred Bah (Lumley Gov't Hospital) and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Sierra Leone USA

Like my Facebook Page & Follow me on Twitter (@MissSaloneUSA)