Joseph N. Kobba is the founder and executive director of the Rural Youth Development Organization (RYDO) in Sierra Leone. Mr. Kobba completed his Community Development and Public Administration studies at the University of Sierra Leone. He founded RYDO in 1996 with the mission of transforming communities through capacity-building and promoting socio-economic development in remote villages through education, healthcare, food sustainability, and community development programs in rural communities.
Prior to founding RYDO, Mr. Kobba worked as a development officer at notable humanitarian organizations and government agencies to promote their health-related initiatives, economic development, and capacity-building works focused in rural communities.
Every year, RYDO benefits thousands of people in rural communities by improving, transforming, and equipping young men and women with a better quality of life through RYDO’s partnerships with 13 healthcare facilities in rural communities, Bread and Water for Africa®, and CMMB (Catholic Medical Mission Board).
“With the donation of medicines by CMMB in collaboration with Bread and Water for Africa®, there has been a vast improvement in the treatment of the patients who visit our health facilities,” says Mr. Kobba. “The incidence of maternal mortality, child mortality, morbidity, dehydration, malnutrition rates, and infectious diseases has been reduced.”
Despite the challenges, Mr. Kobba remains steadfastly committed to advocating and creating solutions to serve the underserved people who have no choice but to accept below-standard healthcare services at several hospitals and clinics. None of the facilities RYDO works with have access to grant-providing organizations; this means that without RYDO involvement, all those receiving quality medicine at these facilities where RYDO works would go without.
Sierra Leone suffers from one of the highest maternal and child mortality rates in the world. The life expectancy in the village of Mokoba, where RYDO is located, is just 38 years. Though many of the diseases commonly contracted in the village are preventable and treatable with the right medication, the people of Mokoba are often forgotten and underserved due to their limited availability. These health realities are among the motivations that keep Mr. Kobba pursuing RYDO’s mission with selfless dedication and determination.
Thank you, Mr. Kobba, for your commitment to delivering healthier lives worldwide. It is an honor to celebrate you as an MDP Hero and recognize our trusted partnership with RYDO.
