<p>Hi everyone,</p> <p>I am going to Sierra Leone in West Africa, in January 2012,&nbsp;to volunteer for Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO).&nbsp;My placement is in a large maternity unit in&nbsp;Freetown, the capital city.</p> <p>In the UK we are fortunate to have access to high-quality healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth. In Sierra Leone there is a shortage of trained doctors and midwives, as well as other resources, and many women suffer serious health problems or die.</p> <p>My role will be to assist in training local medical, midwifery and nursing staff in Obstetrics &amp; Gynaecology. I will also be carrying out clinical work in the unit.</p> <p>I will be in Sierra Leone for 1 year and I hope that I will be able to share knowledge and skills with people there, and make a lasting difference to the maternity care women receive.</p> <p>VSO are a charity and we need to raise money to enable them to continue to send volunteers to work in communities sharing skills around the world.</p> <p>I am going to be carrying out a number of fundraising activities locally but am very grateful for any donation you are able to give.</p> <p>Thanks,</p> <p>Carolyn</p>