Red Cross Society
The Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, with support from the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), has launched a scheme to employ Freetown's amputees. They register the names of the amputees, along with their prior experience, qualifications and the type of work they would like to do. The information is sent to potential employers.
According to Steen Wetlesen of the IFRC, "the response from the government and the business community has been very positive". Speaking to the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Mr Wetlesen said, "amputees can get jobs as security guards, teachers, meter readers, guards and gatekeepers." Already a local company has hired six male amputees.
Because of the large number of amputations and other wounds people suffered, Handicap International will remain in Sierra Leone for the foreseeable future. It has already drawn up plans to set up workshops in two other cities - Bo and Makeni - when the security situation permits. Handicap International is also training Sierra Leoneans to become technicians to manufacture the limbs.
Handicap International