EUROPEAN SOCIAL PROJECTS
OPERATION MAKENI
“Operation Makeni” is the national project of the International Committee of Rotary Clubs District 2080.
Guided by the motto ‘service above self’ and fuelled by a profound love of helping others, our dream to contribute to providing accessible healthcare for all has been transformed into a remarkable reality.
The project aims at supporting “The Holy Spirit Hospital” in Makeni, Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone, one of the world’s poorest countries, faces dire challenges with regards to healthcare, stemming from past civil wars, the devastating Ebola epidemic, and subsequent pandemics, which have put a severe strain on its healthcare system.
In collaboration with the Xaverian Missionaries, we have identified the most critical needs and urgent medications required by the hospital, particularly following a recent fire that damaged part of its infrastructure.
The main goal of “Operation Makeni” is to gather pharmaceutical supplies for “The Holy Spirit Hospital”. From April 13th to 20th, volunteers from 12 Italian Districts will be stationed at approximately 80 pharmacies to collect these supplies. All collected materials will then be centralised in Parma, at the headquarters of the Xaverian Missionaries, and subsequently shipped to Sierra Leone in the coming months.
We have achieved great results so far. Last year, the volunteers managed to collect more than 2000€ worth of pharmaceutical supplies in one single day, from just three pharmacies. This motivated us to expand the project further.
This project has already been awarded the Rotary Club Roma award for the academic year 2020-2021 and been recognised as a project of public interest in interclub commissions for the academic year 2021-2022, thus becoming a national initiative.
In the words of our founder, Paul Percy Harris, ‘If service is to go beyond oneself, who can say then that the Rotary club goal is unattainable?’
We extend an invitation to you to support this noble cause. Together, we can bring hope and vital assistance to the people of Sierra Leone. Please, find attached a series of videos and photos that showcase the direct impact of Operation Makeni.
