More Pictures from the Election Weekend Event in Kabala

During the elections, Paygay's mother looks on...

P C Paygay walks through the streets, greeting the people of Kabala.

Paygay's Election: Kabala, Sierra Leone

James Mansaray documented the election and celebration of Paygay as Wara Wara Chiefdom of Koinaduga District, Kabala.

A note from the New Young Paramount Chief in Kabala

Kondonwulay Paygay Mansaray writes:

Thanks for all your support and prayers in my election as CHIEF. Special thanks to my tribal authorities, women and children of Kabala, for giving me this honor and to you the Nazareth House Apostolate Staff, especially Fr. (Seraphim) Hicks of Louisville Kentucky and Mama Vicki for all your prayers.
THANKS A MILLON FROM THE GBAKU OF WARA WARA YAGALA .

Returning to Kabala for New Year's Day traditions

For New Year's Day we journeyed to Kabala

for the annual hike up the mountain. A tradition for the people of Kabala. Upon our arrival in the village,

we were welcomed by so many relatives and friends, including Chief Paygay.

The NHA School students were on holidays so there was less activity for us dealing with the school, but we all did have a good time reuniting with Pa Foday and Kadijah’s family. We all were anticipating the biggest hike the following day which seems to be the part of the cause of my exhaustion upon my return to Freetown. Even if you are young, In Sierra Leone malaria, disease and lack of healthy diet makes you weak and you get tired easy. Although you guys have made my life much better, we are still not exempt from those disturbances.

Thanks to you all for making 2009 very successful for NHA. You did make a mark and brought hope and smiles to very very many people. None of this good have happen without your support.

Thank you and God bless you all.

Being absorbed in his Mercy.

James B. Mansaray.

Update on Husianatu

During our New Year's trip to Kabala, we made one stop along the long road to Kabala till we reached Kafogo Village where we expect to meet a smiling Husianatu or Asanatu (I always mix the names - they are the twins from our website homepage photo).

The remaining little twin girl that catches the eye and heart of you all and NHA in particular.

On my previous trip to drop her family rice, she was all smiling but this time round we were all disheartened to find her very sick with eyes all so yellow

and she looks very weak. (click on photo to see detail of yellow eyes, so sad)

There was nothing we could do but help out with some money

so that the Mama could take her to the hospital for prompt treatment.

Unfortunately we could not find them on our way back

so that was another cause for alarm and asI type this report; I still wonder how she might be doing.

Yet still, I hope to make a trip back soon to check on her. For now, we are saying our prayers for her. I so want to find her well when I return.

Year in Review: By James Mansaray

Today marks a few weeks since we returned from our last mission trip to Kabala to crown the year 2009 and welcome the New Year. Although, I've been home a few weeks now, I am tired and worn out. That in no doubt explains the amount of energy burnt last year, especially hard driving last three months when we all worked extra hard in

making the work you are sponsoring successful. It seems the more people are joining in support of NHA, the more we are able to do. This makes sense, so keep talking this organization up - tell the World, so more and more good can be done.

I most times go stubborn refusing requests from Mama Vicki that I should rest, sleep - delay my trip and go when fully healthy. But laying their resting makes me think I am a man of all season, I can do this without rest.......... but indeed I am feeling the pinch now. But you know what?...When there is good support from you guys, we here get energised and eagerly get to passing it on to those in need. So your support, your contributions keep us alive as well as those in need. You give us the energy by your compassion to give aid.

It could be helping out the school kids at our NHA school in Kabala, or giving medication to the poor Kroobay Clinic, maybe buying few bags of rice for the hungry, or fitting shoes on the barefooted.

All of this makes up to something and good in the eyes of God and mankind.

For us at St. Laurence House, wrapping up the year was nothing fancy or big to-do, for we always doing it in our own simplest way. There were still enough shoes from One Love Foundation to give out, bags of rice and medicines from Mama Vicki and still a box full of Candy canes to share as our Christmas tidings. This we always do every year but this time round, post acted well and we did it

before, during and after Christmas.

We greeted the people with whatever little we had and this was warmly welcomed and received. Both Lucy and Ann Marie once more did their own thing,

Kadijah, always the mother,

steering the needs surrounding these poor people,

ROO doing his usual job to toddlers like him and doing so in good faith and with great smiles.

I, on the other hand, am happy to share my usual work and allowing them to jump right in and do my usual work. I am so happy to see my family take on this work with such great love and care. I am so proud of them.

The NHA Blog is back...

Nazareth House Apostolate apologizes for the silence on the blog these past weeks. Our staff, workers, and supporters have been anything but silent. They have been actively working hard to see that 2010 brings as much compassion and love to the people of Sierra Leone as NHA showered on them in 2009. We thank you for your continued support. Invite your friends to be a part of this meaningful apostolate. Together we are changing many lives for the better.

At year end, we found ourselves delivering shoes and we are still handing them out, every time we see a pair of bare feet.

Having a few candy canes left to give away, James and the family handed them out.

We were delighted that this year the candy canes arrived in Freetown in time for Christmas delivery.

Nazareth House welcomes its newest and tiniest supporter, Leila.

My granddaughter was born one month premature due to her mother's preeclampsia. She and mommy are healthy and doing fine. We thank all of you for your prayers before, during and after the birth.