Saying Good-bye to 2008 & Welcoming the New Year

2008 has been a long, hard, but never-the-less rewarding year, for Nazareth House. We've had sorrows, we've saw many dear, dear friends pass on, we've had pain, and we have been without. Yet, in the same light, we've loved, made new friends, we've provided, we've had joy, we've had many wonderful accomplishments - what a jammed packed year this has been!

In the Holiday Spirit, our family & staff at St. Laurence House in Freetown, gathered their friends and neighbors, packed a picnic lunch and headed to the quiet No. 2 River beach to spend a day of celebration of fellowship, of thanksgiving, and of optimistic anticipation of new beginnings as 2009 unfolds.

 

 

 

 

St Laurence House friends & neighbors

 

Kadijah (always the gracious hostess) Good Food and Good Friends

 

 

A day of fun and fellowship. Best Wishes for a Blessed New Year from all of us at Nazareth House Apostolate.

More Salone Smiles...

 

As Christmas approached, James went to the rice store and purchased several bags of rice(provided by Nazareth House Apostolate through your generosity) to distribute to those in need.

 

He headed towards Kabala to take our School's teachers and administration their salaries. As he did so, he delivered bags of rice along the way.

 

This ensured several families would indeed have a meal for Christmas - as well as many other meals in the weeks to come.

 

 

The smiles show that THIS GIFT was most welcomed.

 

Thanks for making possible smiles, please continue your support for 2009. God bless you.

Kroo Bay Sierra Leone -NHA

The latest video is up from our work in Kroo Bay, Sierra Leone.

This Christmas Day, many of us are enjoying a huge family dinner with our loved ones and friends (including our pick of several desserts) , we are opening presents and counting our blessings.

Yet, there are millions of people around the world that will spend this Holiday without a meal, without any gifts. Hungry and exposed to disease, they make do with what they have.

 

A young mother pulls together a dinner made of a small handful of rice, a bit of cassava -

 

 

the family gathers to share a dinner (only enough for one)

 

I have witnessed such scenes many times in Sierra Leone.

 

 

In Freetown, I see children playing with sticks and old tires

 

with huge smiles on their faces, having the best time with one another, true wholesome child's play.

 

 

They didn't get any new toys for Christmas, yet they are having fun. ...and they are thankful.

 

This is a time to celebrate our blessings. It is a time to anticipate a new year with plans for bettering ourselves, etc. This is all good and necessary. It is also necessary and the time is now to come together on behalf of those who need our help.

The people in Sierra Leone need your help. We ask you to consider a commitment to regular support of the work of Nazareth House Apostolate in 2009, so that you will make a difference in the lives of those who so desperately need you. Give them a chance, change their lives. Nazareth House is working to better their lives by providing food, shelter and medical assistance. As we do this, it is only a bandaid, we also work deeper by providing education and skills for continued improvement of their lives.

Oh...and if you are looking for a last minute 2008 tax deduction (before December 31), your donations to Nazareth House are tax-deductible and will be the perfect gift for your brothers and sisters less fortunate than yourself. God bless you all.

Best Wishes for a Simple & Wonderful Christmas Day

Blessings & Peace from Nazareth House

click on photos to enlarge

The Gift of a SMILE

Click on any photo to enlarge

While many are busily preparing for the Christmas festivities, Nazareth House Apostolate would like to extend our heart-felt thanks to all of you

 

who have looked beyond yourselves to be there for someone else.

 

Those that you've helped in Sierra Leone don't have the means to send you a Christmas gift, wouldn't matter anyhow...

 

because the gift that they have for you

 

is greater than any store bought piece of merchandise..

 

it is the gift of a smile...

 

not just any smile but a genuine and absolutely beautiful heartwarming smile.

 

The smiles that you see are there because you made that effort...

 

the effort to help a brother or sister in need.

 

 

We wish you many smiles

 

God bless you.

Loading up, Moving On....

Today, James bought rice for several families. He will be distributing it to them this week.

 

I am happy to see that this store looks well stocked, no empty shelves. This is a good sign.

 

I always love to see pictures of the streets of Freetown. I always miss it when I am not there. So much activity, so much color.

 

 

Noticing the bright red car that James is loading with rice, I see that Sanu has once again tossed the keys to his car to James to do the work of Nazareth House! Thanks Sanu, WE LOVE YOU - you are so good to us!

The Work of Nazareth House Apostolate

All of us have dealt with a lot of sadness lately, for Nazareth House it has been well pronounced. Many of our good friends have went on before us and we are left here on earth to carry on. Lonely as it might be at times, we must do just that...CARRY ON. Too much is at stake to stop the momentum of the great work that has been started by our loved ones who have recently gone ahead of us. We must never forget and strive to move forward; knowing they are in the cloud of witnesses cheering us on.

Nazareth House is doing what Nazareth House does... loving Salone.

Kadijah, Ann Marie and lil' Roo packed up some necessities and went to deliver them to Marianna. Before he passed on in October, Nazareth House promised Pa Amadu, Marianna's late husband, that we would take care of his family. A promise must be kept and through your generosity we are keeping it well.

 

Supplies in hand, they carry them into Marianna's home.

 

...a few bars of soap, a little powdered laundry soap, some tea, some powdered milk ...

 

...and a little cash in which to eat, pay bills and exist...

 

WOW! Isn't it wonderful - we are loving seeing these smiles!!!!

Nazareth House works individually, finding those in need and helping according to what best helps that family. Of course, we do what we can to provide medical supply to hospitals, (especially Kroo Bay & Kabala Gov. Hospital) and we provide for our Kabala School... but our real work is finding those in the cracks, left out, not noticed - who quietly struggle to exist. Making a difference - one person, one family - at a time. Thank you for your continued support in providing for these beautiful people.

December 15, 2008 (slideshow clips)

Funeral of Kadija Sho-Sawyer nee Jalloh, RIP

Photos to follow, please scroll down

NHA Report by James Mansaray: Freetown: 15 December 2008

It’s about an hour ago that ‘beauty’ was finally laid to rest at the Kissy Road Cemetery. None could believe that Kadija made her way to the other side of life so soon leaving a whole lot left undone.

At the Bishop Baughman Memorial United Methodist Church, Bright Street, Brookfields, Freetown was held a memorable funeral service for the late Mrs.Kadija Sho- Sawyer. The ceremony was graced by many dignitaries like the First and Second Lady, members of parliaments, Ministers, and a whole lot of family members including several friends both here and from the Diaspora.

 

 

Despite our job and busy schedule, my wife Kadijah joined me to witness this ceremony. I for one, just can’t miss it. I grew to love Mrs. Sho- Sawyer from the day I heard of her death. Having gone through all that she was doing and intend to do for Sierra Leone, it felt like I had known her for long. This gave me the urge to visit Dr. Sho- Sawyer at the hospital.

With all his pains, broken leg and injured head, Dr. Sho- Sawyer made it possible to be there walking with crutches to give his wife his last respect.

 

He made a profound last tribute saluting his lost cherished love. You can see the mixed feelings in this gentle man mentioning how he was coping with Kadija on his side.

 

I felt so honored being part of this service, celebrating the lost of a Sierra Leonean Icon like Kadija. I wish I could do more for Kadija.

At the funeral, I met more and more people with the idea of helping Sierra Leone. This is our goal at Nazareth House Apostolate and we join to celebrate her life by working hard to accomplish what she left undone.

Thanks to Yanoh and Mama Vicki who gave me the chance to do meet these wonderful people. It was great meeting Young women like Cynthia, Nameneh, Ami all from the U.S. We all look forward to do more together to benefit Salone in the near future.

Kadija, is gone but her spirit will continue to dwell in us. May her soul rest in perfect peace. - James B. Mansaray

 

 

Rest in peace Salone's beloved...

 

Dr. Mitchel Sho-Sawyer, Kadija's husband

 

Kadija (Jalloh) Sho-Sawyer's mother

 

Kadija's father