Illawarra health workers making a difference in Liberia

The University of Wollongong academic was one of three Illawarra health workers to make the trip to the struggling west African nation in November, and they’re hoping to recruit others for a return trip in January 2018.

It continues their work with the Liberian community in the Illawarra, as supporters of the Wollongong-based Future of the Children Foundation.

In Monrovia, Liberia, Dr Goodfellow established hygiene practices for school students while Mick Fernandez – director of the region’s First Step needle and syringe program – raised awareness of sexual health and drug and alcohol issues.

Meantime Wollongong refugee advocate, Monique Bolus, ran a range of energetic workshops to inspire, and empower, young women.

‘’We all had our specialities,’’ Dr Goodfellow said. ‘’Monrovia was ground zero for the 2015 West Africa Ebola outbreak so hand hygiene is particularly important … though challenging with no running water or soap.’’

Thanks to the Australian team’s efforts, a freshwater well is now operational at the school, allowing the kids to wash their hands before class and lunch.

Mr Fernandez also made a lasting impact on the students, and was so inspired by them he wrote the words and music to a song Beautiful Liberia.

‘’The words assumed an instant ‘anthem’ quality with our classes – including an audience of over 100 parents of children enrolled at the school,’’ Dr Goodfellow said.

Ms Bolus was also moved by the resilience and determination of the young women and girls of Liberia.

‘’It was devastating to see how Liberia had been traumatised by the civil war.

‘’However the work Wollongong-based Jay Jay Augustine, his family and his team of teachers are doing at the Gaye Town (Monrovia) Elementary and Junior High School is laying the foundations for an empowered and well educated new generation of Liberians who will rebuild their beautiful country,’’ she said.