Side view of the renovated Murray Town Maternity Ward

On November 15, 2025, the Murray Town community in Freetown celebrated a pivotal moment in its ongoing efforts to improve its maternal and child healthcare. Sudu, an NGO that works with children, alongside key donors, MusCare and Friends of Sierra Leone, officially handed over the newly rehabilitated Murray Town Maternity Ward to the community and the Community Health Worker. The ceremony marks the culmination of a community-driven project aimed at creating a safe, functional, and hopeful environment for the more than 1,000 mothers and newborns who rely on the facility each year. This project directly addresses the critical need for improved maternal health infrastructure in a country with one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.

The renovation arrives at a critical time for Sierra Leone, a country that continues to face one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. Each year, the Murray Town facility receives more than 1,000 mothers and babies, despite previously operating in unsafe and deteriorated conditions.

The handover ceremony held on November 15, 2025, represented a significant achievement in collaborative, community-focused development. The event brought together key project partners, government officials, and local stakeholders to formally commission the upgraded facility. The extensive rehabilitation work, fully funded by a generous donation from MusCare, has transformed the center’s infrastructure. In addition, essential new equipment, including modern delivery and postnatal beds, were also procured with financial support from Friends of Sierra Leone.

In attendance were distinguished guests from a range of organizations committed to public health and social welfare in Sierra Leone, including other stakeholders and Community Health Workers from the community, who were present to formally accept the facility. The work of Sudu as the on-the-ground implementing partner was central to coordinating these efforts and ensuring the project met the community’s specific needs.

Before the renovation, the maternity ward was in such a poor condition that pregnant women were often forced to leave their community in search of safer care. Many described the situation as frightening and stressful especially for women in labour who had to travel long distances to give birth.

Sudu has worked in Murray Town since 2019, supporting foster families and training local households. After witnessing the state of the maternity centre, the organisation realised that improving the facility was essential to protecting children and mothers from the very start of life.

With funding from MusCare, Sudu began a full rehabilitation of the building, repairing the structure and creating a safer, cleaner space for childbirth. Friends of Sierra Leone supported the project further by providing new equipment, including modern delivery beds and postnatal beds items the centre had gone without for years.

Government officials, community leaders, health workers and partners attended the handover ceremony, marking the end of months of work and the beginning of a new chapter for maternal health in the area. Community Health Workers, midwives and nurses expressed relief and gratitude, saying the updated space will allow them to provide better and more dignified care.

New modern delivery beds at the Murray Town Maternity

The journey to this moment began earlier this year when Sudu, MusCare, and the community set a fundraising target of $7,450. Work officially kicked off after a small ceremony on September 20, 2025, which brought together Sudu staff, local authorities and facility heads. Their collaboration made the project possible and now serves as an example of what community-led development can achieve.

Handing over ceremony of the Murray Town Maternity Ward

The program was covered by two leading TV stations in Sierra Leone:
1. African Young Voices Television (AYV TV): Starts at the 5:28-minute mark.
2. Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC TV):.  Starts at the 6:30-minute mark.

Also read more of this event on:
1. https://www.switsalone.com/52698_murray-town-maternity-ward-reopens-after-major-renovation-by-sudu/
2. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1LAAT9xfRY/?mibextid=wwXIfr

My name is Ryan Clark, and I am a University of Chicago student who is interning at Sudu for this summer. Last summer, I interned in the development department of All Chicago, a Chicago non-profit that combats homelessness and helps other Chicago non-profits to do so with the assistance of the federal government. While Sudu is also a non-profit, in many ways it is significantly different from my previous job, and the challenge of negotiating this new context appeals to me. Sudu has fewer employees, and Sudu cannot rely on regular funding from the Sierra Leonean government. While funding is more difficult, Sudu also has great opportunity for growth that I am excited to participate in. The smaller workforce may also enable me to cultivate a broader array of skills.

My work at Sudu will partly be dedicated toward fundraising efforts. Toward this end, I have been working with Sudu’s new grant writer, Sharon Dekker, and I will be facilitating fundraising from sources other than foundations. I will also be supporting Sudu’s staff with monitoring and evaluation (M&E). M&E allows Sudu to demonstrate its successes in our annual report and have adequate records to be able to secure grants. I will study how Sudu’s M&E practices could be improved and ensure that our internal record-keeping is clear and organized.

While the context of Sierra Leone is new for me, Sudu is addressing the urgent need of finding homes for orphans, and so I am inspired to assist Sudu with its important work.

April 2nd 2024

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news of the passing of Idrissa “Papani” Turay, a bright and brave soul in our care. Despite his tender age of 8 years, Papani taught us the true meaning of courage and resilience. 

Born into challenging circumstances in Sierra Leone, Papani faced life with a smile that could light up the darkest of rooms. His journey took a heart-wrenching turn when he was diagnosed with a rare pediatric brain cancer, a battle no child should ever have to face. 

Determined to give Papani every possible chance, we were able to secure treatment for him in Ghana, where he underwent multiple surgeries and extensive treatment in an effort to conquer the disease that threatened his young life. Papani fought bravely, surrounded by love and unwavering support, but despite the best efforts of his medical team, he sadly passed away.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Papani, a child who was part of our family. His levity, infectious laughter, and boundless love have left an indelible mark on our hearts. We are comforted by the knowledge that we were able to provide him with love, care, and a sense of family during his final months. Papani may have been with us for only a short time, but the impact he made will last a lifetime.

We extend our deepest sympathies to everyone whose life was touched by Papani and we thank those who contributed either financially or inkind to his care–this includes all Sudu donors. As we mourn his loss, we also celebrate his life—a life that, though brief, was full of moments that reminded us of the strength of the human spirit and the power of community.

In loving memory of Idrissa “Papani” Turay, we will continue our mission with renewed dedication, honoring his spirit by supporting and nurturing the children under our care with even greater love and commitment. Rest in peace, dear Papani. Your light will forever shine in our hearts.

“Janice saw Sierra Leone’s broken informal foster system that makes it easy for child trafficking and abuse and said not on my watch. She finds safe families willing to foster children.”

Read the full blog post here.

Sudu is hiring for two positions in Sierra Leone! Check them out below.

Part-time Accountant

Sudu is looking for a part-time accountant to direct and oversee financial activities of the organization including preparation of current financial reports as well as summaries and forecasts for future growth and general economic outlook. See full job description

Early childhood tutor

Sudu is looking for an experienced tutor to conduct once a week tutoring sessions with Sudu’s children. The individual should have early childhood teaching/tutoring experience. See full job description