Page 47 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • November 2012 47

Swindon and Sierra Leone 1
Aid worker joins Red Cross emergency team
tackling cholera outbreak
Former Greendown School pupil Anna Hirsch-Holland, 25, from Shaw,
spent two weeks in October with a Red Cross emergency response
team in Sierra Leone helping to treat people at risk.
The disease which had already
infected over 18,500 people result-
ing in 270 deaths has spread rapidly
across the country with cases in all Hong in
13 districts.
Anna who is based at the British Oriental BUFFET RESTAURANT
Red Cross’s London HQ joined
experts from the global Red Cross
movement working to halt the rise
in the number of people affected by
the water-borne infection, which
Celebrate a super value
causes severe vomiting and diar- Celebrate a super value
rhoea and can kill within hours if
left untreated.
yet super taste
The team supplied health facili- yet super taste
ties with cholera kits, raising aware-
ness of good hygiene practices,
including surveillance and early
Christmas
detection. They were also involved Christmas
in providing safe water through Anna, during a deployment to Liberia
in Hongxin.
household water treatment and in April this year at a British Red Cross
rehabilitating water points. poject to support refugees from the Ivory in Hongxin.
Before she left Britain Anna said: Coast
“The Red Cross work to promote difference to communities, and
good hygiene practices and make succeeding in reducing the number
sure people have access to clean of people infected.“
drinking water is making a huge www.redcross.org.uk
Swindon and Sierra Leone 2 Roast, Seasonal Vegetables
Army sergeant Amy keeps communications fl owing
Another ex-Greendown School pupil currently in the country is Amy & Santa Claus Visit *
Phillippo, 30, from Abbey Meads, who is a communication specialist
with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. * In Evenings & Sunday of 28-Nov to 24-Dec
She was promoted to Sergeant in dealing with problems, Amy has
October and posted for a year to the been involved with the National
International Military Assistance Youth Award Scheme (NYAS), the FREE Xmas Crackers for
Training Team (Sierra Leone) where Sierra Leone equivalent of the Duke
she manages the communications of Edinburgh Award. Parties Booked Before 28th-Nov*
systems. She said: “So far I have helped at a
She said: “With national elec- few presentations trying to increase * T&C applied.
tions taking place in November, involvement in the NYAS and am
we’re all very busy ensuring com- presently trying to coordinate a
munications networks are running project amongst other service per-
in the background without any sonnel to help in the construction of
problems.” a school made out of plastic bottles
When not in her workshop and close to our base.”
Amy with children in Sierra Leone in October

FREE Meal Voucher(s)

for a Party with 6 or More Adults*

*Advance booking required, please
visit our website for details.

Booking line:
01793 877888

Pepperbox Hill, Peatmoor,
Swindon, SN5 5EZ
w w w . h o n g x i n . c o . u k

19 - 48 November 12.indd 47 18/10/2012 16:24