LONDON: Watching with horror as the Ebola crisis ravages their country, Sierra Leoneans in London are mobilising to help their compatriots fight the deadly virus back home.
Health workers are taking leave from their jobs in the state-run National Health Service (NHS) to volunteer in Sierra Leone, where at least 1,200 people have died so far.
Others are raising funds for medical supplies, protective clothing and even hot meals for those affected -- anything that makes a difference.
"I see it as a call of duty -- I need to go down and help my people," said Ajan Fofanah, a 46-year-old trained paediatric nurse who has applied to spend eight weeks working in Sierra Leone.
He was born in the west African country and moved to Britain aged 27 to further his education. Now he wants to use his skills to help battle the virus that has killed four members of his extended family.
"I'm far away from them and this is what is heart-rending. I need to get closer," he added.
Fofanah was one of around 80 Sierra Leonean medics who attended an event in London last week to find out more about how they could help.
All were successful professionals keen to put their careers in Britain on hold and even risk being infected with Ebola to help their country.
Mohamed Koker, a 50-year-old emergency doctor who has worked in Britain for 12 years, hoped his knowledge of languages and traditions would help break down barriers with locals.
"I think the urge within me to perform what I call a national duty overrides my fear," he told AFP.
"Most importantly, I have all the Sierra Leoneans back home who have no medical knowledge and who are sacrificing themselves, who are doing more than I think I am doing here."
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