Thank God! Samaritan's Purse Launches Bold New African Initiative So Families Won't be Forced to Turn Their Backs on Loved Ones Suffering From Ebola

News Staff : Oct 9, 2014
Staff – DeMoss

"If we don't provide education and protective equipment to caregivers, we will be condemning countless numbers of mothers, fathers, daughters and sons to death because they chose not to let their loved ones die alone." -Dr. Kent Brantly, Samaritan's Purse Physician and Ebola Survivor

REPORTER'S NOTE: Just the other day, I had a vision of a young child suffering from Ebola crying and reaching out to its mother for comfort. That picture provoked a deep revelation in me as I tried to put myself in the shoes of an African parent watching their child die, knowing they, themselves, would be infected if they touched their son or daughter. Honestly, I don't think I could do it. The God-given instinct to protect and nurture our children is simply too deep and powerful in a mother. Wouldn't most parents gladly sacrifice their safety to mitigate their children's torment? Thank God that Samaritan's Purse, who no doubt, has seen this heart-breaking scenario far too many times, has come up with this providential new program to protect families at ground zero where Ebola usually begins—in the home. -Teresa Neumann, BCN. (Photo via L.A. Times)

(Boone, NC)—As masses of Ebola victims continue to be turned away from Liberia's overcrowded treatment facilities, Samaritan's Purse has begun an innovative new program to help stop the spread of the disease through home-based interventions in some of the most remote areas of the country.

The organization's staff is training caregivers to provide supportive care to their infected loved ones while protecting themselves from infection. Samaritan's Purse has developed illustrated step-by-step training materials for this initiative. Each family also receives a home care kit that includes head-to-toe protective gear for one person, medicines, hydration items, disinfectants and a sprayer.

"With the number of cases increasing exponentially, it's time to think beyond what has been done in the past in the fight against Ebola," said Samaritan's Purse President Franklin Graham. "We pray that by training and equipping these families, we can stop the spread of this deadly disease."

Samaritan's Purse has already begun implementing this new program in villages along the River Gee. There are no Ebola Treatments Units or Community Care Centers currently operating in that part of Liberia, and families there have been left with no option but to care for their loved ones at home. In addition to the home-based care initiative, the organization will also be establishing the first Community Care Center in River Gee County. (Photo via Samaritan's Purse)

"If we don't provide education and protective equipment to caregivers, we will be condemning countless numbers of mothers, fathers, daughters and sons to death because they chose not to let their loved ones die alone," said Ebola survivor Dr. Kent Brantly of Samaritan's Purse.

Samaritan's Purse has been working in Liberia since 2003 to meet the food, clean water, medical care and other basic needs of people across the country. On Oct. 1, Samaritan's Purse airlifted 100 tons of relief supplies to Liberia to fight Ebola, including thousands of home care kits.