Pictured left to right: Amanda’s mother, Lisa; Mr. Abubakarr Kamara, Mayor of Makeni; and Mrs. Adama Marian Michael, 2024 Amanda Award winner
At ROW Foundation, a highlight of our year is announcing the annual Amanda Award recipient. In 2019, this award was established to honor the memory of Amanda Brook de los Santos who lost her life to seizures at a young age. Each year we award a $5,000 cash grant (which includes matching funds from Amanda’s mother, Lisa) to recognize a leader or organization making strong impacts in addressing epilepsy treatment gaps.
For 2024, we selected Mrs. Adama Marian Michael of Loreto Health Services in Makeni, Sierra Leone. In her role as a mental health nurse, Nurse Adama has provided epilepsy care for 46 years. Epilepsy care is scarce in Sierra Leone and about 95% of people with epilepsy cannot access medical treatment for their seizures.
Loreto Health Services is an epilepsy care leader in Sierra Leone’s Northern Province. This faith-based community health center provides medical care in Makeni and conducts regular clinics in outlying rural areas. Patient and caregiver support groups are also offered. We’ve collaborated with the Loreto team since 2018 when we began a partnership with Healey International Relief Foundation to provide ongoing supplies of epilepsy medication.
Amanda’s mother, Lisa, presented the award in Makeni along with Josephine Garnem, Healey’s Executive Director. Josephine says “Nurse Adama is a true champion in the field of compassionate and professional care for people living with epilepsy. She has not only provided exceptional care but has also been a beacon of hope for so many families in our community. Her tireless efforts have made a profound difference, and we are deeply grateful for her leadership and commitment.” Last year, during a trip to Sierra Leone we recorded this short video that captures Adama’s passion for her patients and shares some of their lived experiences.
The life of Amanda Brooke de los Santos is the inspiration for our annual Amanda Award.
Nurse Adama has exemplified compassionate epilepsy care over her 46-year nursing career.
Partnerships Make the Difference
Thankfully, our dedicated partners are making progress. ROW has established long-term partnerships with Healey International Relief Foundation, Medical Assistance Sierra Leone, Loreto Clinic, Connaught Hospital, Ola During Children’s Hospital, and the Epilepsy Alliance of Sierra Leone.
Partner with Us
Your partnership with ROW provides essential funding needed to mobilize medication and provide education and diagnostic support across 38 countries, including in communities in Sierra Leone. Will you consider a gift to ROW today to make an impact on the “Rest of World”?
See more ROW videos on our YouTube channel.
Special thanks to filmmaker Jack Pendelton for helping us tell these stories from Sierra Leone.
