July Updates

The good thing so far about July is the weather is cooling off. The rainy season is settling in allowing for cooler days and nights.

Unfortunately for me, there has been a water shortage. So having running water has not been consistent at all.  Actually, I had two full weeks without running water, but with the assistance of members on the compound they fetched water for me so that I could do the basics. The blessing is the other Lay Mission-Helper who is in Sierra Leone. Kathy, is a nurse that is commissioned to Holy Spirit Hospital and resides only about a 7-minute drive away from me. She has allowed me to stay at her cottage during the weekend so that I can have access to running water and electricity. If it wasn't for her kindness, I was truly reevaluating my decision.

I am still in Sierra Leone.  This week I have had running water every morning and am thankful for this. Also, on another note, I have had communications with members of the Management Team at St. Ignatius University in Uganda. It was a pleasure hearing from them. They requested, while I am in the continent that I visit. If I can during the holidays, I will share the visit with you all.

Now the semester is over, the students are preparing for their final exams. I am assisting with the preparation of the 3rd WAAQAN International Conference that will be held at the University of Makeni. This is allowing me to make more connections within the university as well as with other higher education institutes and partnerships. I do hope that it is a success for West Africa and Sierra Leone. The submission of abstracts is over, but sections of the event will be held online. I am sharing the flyer. The abstract submission was extended to July 15th. Please feel free to register and join virtually.

 

Bye for now,

Nancy 

World Bank Consultations

The month of June was a difficult month for me. Still adapting to the extreme heat, while surviving two weeks without electricity at the end of May. June began on a positive note as I was looking forward to a long weekend mid-June to explore Freetown and Lungi. The first two weeks there was electricity and daily running water. Yeah!

The first two weeks were busy preparing for lectures and engaging in futuristic endeavors.  We had visitors from the World Bank to examine and explore how they may help us and Sierra Leone with job creation, especially for the young graduates.  The visit concluded with rich discussions on plans to expand the academic programs by launching a Biomedical Engineering Equipment Technician program and a Biomedical Engineering program with the hopes of receiving accreditation in 2027.

My contribution to the conversation was to encourage foreign companies who make health and medical equipment to establish at least two manufacturing warehouses in Sierra Leone which would require an agreement to hire staff from Sierra Leone. Also to donate old or expired equipment to the university for the programs labs. This partnership would provide job opportunities, provide training opportunities, and most importantly significantly improve the lives of Sierra Leone with regards to health care. It also included discussions with entrepreneurship ideas, waste management, and securing faculty to lecture in the additional programs that will be launched in the upcoming year(s). I have attached a few pictures from the meeting as well as the announcement.

 

The World Bank concludes consultation with UNIMAK Staff

The World Bank Sierra Leone Country Team, led by Country Manager Abdu Muwonge, concludes consultations with University of Makeni (UNIMAK) staff on June 11, 2026,  for the upcoming 2026–2031 Country Partnership Framework (CPF). Held at the UNIMAK Fatima campus, the high-level meeting featured significant contributions from UNIMAK Registrar Foday Augustine Bangura, Director of Academic Affairs Fr. George Gbamanja, and Dean of Commerce and Management Dr. Santigie Kaba, who all offered localized, academic insights on the Country Partnership Framework (CPF), aiming to align the World Bank's upcoming five-year framework specifically on job creation.  In addition, other staff of UNIMAK also made meaningful contributions that focus on job creation across all sectors of development in Sierra Leone. They also discuss UNIMAK's impact on economic growth through the core values of teaching, research, and community engagement.  The WORLD BANK Country Manager, Abdu Muwonge,  praised the UNIMAK staff for their brave inputs on the Country Partnership Framework (CPF).

Hoping that July is a better month.

God Bless,

Nancy

UNIMAK Mass and Projects

Hi All,

It has been a bit challenging with assessing enrollees and instructing them on how to use technological tools. However, they are adapting and learning. I have observed their progress thus far.

There is a quaint Chapel on campus. Mass is held weekly, attached are a couple of pictures of students and staff after service. In addition, I attend weekly Sunday mass with another LMH missionary, Nurse Kathy. We tend to have Sunday brunch at one of the local restaurants. Sometimes a local, Sheku, a graduate of UniMak joins us and shows us around town. I have attached a few pictures as well.

The other three projects assigned to me are going at a slower pace due to the team members’ busy schedules, which will change by the end of the month. We will establish the workplan for the BME curriculum this week. The workshop session on Quality Assurance has been pushed back to end of summer for faculty and hopefully for the QA team in July and August for training. I look forward to being fully engaged with set action items soon.

Stay tuned for more information on the international conferences.

Bye for now.

Nancy

  

Education Programming

At times the heat is still unbearable, but I am beginning to become acclimated to it.

I am discovering more about the education programming and am looking forward to visit different schools within the district. This will provide me with a better context to develop and improve curriculum that is requested of me.

The culture within the university is diverse through the many university partnerships throughout the world. Where staff and students participate in exchange programs and virtual classrooms. UniMak has made many strives over the years to provide continuous and sustainable development in education.

I was able to attend Mass on campus at the Chapel which is held weekly. I have attached a group picture with the celebrant Fr. Gabriel, staff, and students.

Nancy in center of back row

May God bless you.

Nancy

Productive Week

Hi Again!

This week was better! Still sweating but less, power every night, and I am adjusting to a schedule. Yeah!

My direct supervisor is the Deputy Director of Academic Affairs. He is over the Post Graduate Division of the University. I do not know how he does it all because he is also an attorney for the Diocese, and lectures 3 courses.  As Senior Academic Officer, I think my initial matrix of responsibilities will evolve. 

I lectured the first class of one of the courses that I have been asked to teach, Principles of Educational Administration and Management. The students vary in experience, age, and future aspirations which makes for rich discussions. I did enjoy this first session. The other course that I will lecture is Social Psychology. We did not meet because it was a national holiday, Workers Day (equivalent to Labor Day).

I had the opportunity to briefly sit with the coordinator over the public health programs. We will be collaborating over the curriculum development to establish three new programs for accreditation to form a department. I look forward to our next meeting for planning. I am also a Dissertation Advisor, so I met with the Doctoral candidate to review his proposal.

Workers Day was nice. I met more staff during the morning activities. We participated in a Walk (which was more like a fast walk and light jog). The walk ended in a field, where we participated in a variety of exercises. I have attached some pictures and video. I enjoyed the exercise, which I miss.

All in all it was a productive week.  Next week I will be meeting with the Quality Assurance Office team. I was tasked to provide oversight and professional development to assist their progress for proper implementation as they are a younger less experienced staff.  In the USA, the office is usually called the Compliance Office but in the EU, UK, and most of Asia it is called the Quality Assurance office.

Well bye for now.

Nancy

Week 2

So, the folks in Sierre Leone stated "in a few weeks your body will adjust."  It has been two weeks and at my feet there are puddles of my sweat from my face. The thoughts running through my mind are - when exactly will this adjustment begin? I am so looking forward to it.

I had the opportunity to meet with the members of the Education department. I am looking forward to meet with members of the sustainable development program.

Besides the other duties that I will be assigned, I am lecturing two courses that begin next week. So this is a research and planning week for me.

I have had the opportunity to meet with a fellow LMH missionary, Nurse Kathy.  It's nice having someone from the USA near. We are attending Sunday mass together and then breakfast.  Here is a picture at a local cafe with a Sierra Leone, named Sheku. 

Bye for now.

Week 1

Well, my first week in Sierra Leone has been nice but also challenging.

I had a pleasant tour of two of the University of Makeni campuses. The main campus, Fatima, currently houses the post graduate programs. I will work at this campus. The other campus, Yoni, is newer and about a 30-minute commute away. It currently houses Computer Science, Law, and the Applied Science programs.

In construction now at the Yoni campus is the Post Graduate Department, that is expected to house all post graduate programs. The expected opening is next fall. I have attached pictures of the construction site.

The challenge was not only jet lag but the inferno-like temperatures that my body was enduring. OMG!!!  Nothing else to say; only those who have experienced it can understand.

Goodbye for now.