Fibre Optic Cable arrives in Sierra Leone

I would like to report that little Fatu continues to make progress recovering from the wicked snakebite she received on Tuesday night.   Thank you to everyone for your prayers, love and concern. She is a very fortunate young lady. 

In other NHA news, at this writing we have now reached $3,795 for the West Coast Couple to match by October 31st.  We do have some funds pledged but it is the policy of NHA to not count anything until it is in the bank.  Time is limited, we want the WCC to fund the full $5,000 so please, send in anything that you have today.  We only have $1,205 to go to meet the matching goal.  Remember everything helps, there is no such thing as too small of an amount to give - especially now since it will be doubled.  The most recent donations came from South Carolina, Virginia, Washington and Georgia.  

In the midst of all the illnesses, the poverty, the snakebites - an opportunity, an action, an event slips into the mix and there is a glimmer indicating that change will come to Sierra Leone.   

So it was when the Fiber Optic Cable  was pulled into Salone a few weeks ago.  A darkened sky with threatened rains, gave way to an event worthy of celebration as President Koroma received the submarine fiber optic cable at Lumley Beach.   

James was there to be a part of the celebration and to do what he does so well - document it in photos for us at NHA.  

Another tiny piece of Sierra Leone history as the country tries to rebound and move forward.  Eager and excited by what this strange tube coming out of the ocean can mean to progress and the recovery of their war-torn nation, the people gather on the beach to witness its arrival.

The cable is expected to provide job opportunities, lower the expense of communications and reduce the high cost of doing business in this West African nation.

 It will become operational within a year - if progress goes on unhampered.  

In his speech, President Koroma described the landing of the cable as a great moment for everyone, adding that it will open the country to the international world.  





At Nazareth House Apostolate this pleases us much, as daily communication to our staff in Kabala and our school is necessary to the ongoing welfare of our work in Sierra Leone and when we are unable to connect with each other, it makes a difficult work more difficult.  

President Koroma assured everyone that "It will enhance the transparency of my government to the people of this nation. It is a gateway for job opportunities for creative Sierra Leoneans. I see it as great moment and remarkable achievement,"  

President Koroma said that there will be no reverse again in the area of development and that the country can only move forward. 





"Nobody will doubt the fact that Sierra Leone is transforming and changes are taking place. We will continue to effect the changes we promised and our nation will never be the same again" - President Ernest B. Koroma

NHA Student receives snakebite

A 7 year old girl, living in Africa, has had a good day at school, enjoyed running and being around her friends.  

As night falls, she helps prepare the family meal by boiling potatoes.  There is no electricity, she can barely see by the light of the fire under the cooking pot.  She takes a step and her bare foot lands on an angry snake - a cobra.  The snake reacts and she is bitten.  Did I tell you that she is only 7 years old?  

She is rushed to a hospital -  isn't that what you are supposed to do when you are injured or sick? Arriving at the hospital she finds no medical personnel.  They have left for the night, leaving their patients to fend for themselves, not one doctor anywhere to be found.  As if that isn't turmoil enough, the storage area that contains the venom antiserum is locked with only one man to have access to it.   

Sounds like a horror story or a movie but this is exactly how Fatu spent her evening last night.  

Scared and in pain, she lies on a hospital a damp plastic bed - no sheets.  The headboard is dirty, the paint is cracked and chipped. 

A make-shift tourniquet is placed around her leg, her toe has been bitten.  The swelling is beginning to take place.

James makes contact with the one and only man who has access to the Antiserum, the man asks if James has any money.  James pays and the antiserum is made available.  

As there is only one man with access to the antiserum in the whole village, it turns out there is only one antiserum pack - for all of the village.  It has been used on Fatu, the next snake bite victim is out of luck. 

After the pain reliever and the antiserum, Fatu seems much better.  The night will tell whether she continues to improve or not.  

Such is the case for villagers in and around Kabala, medication and medical help is extremely limited. 

This is why they depend on NHA to help them out.  

NHA has just purchased ($319.00) and is sending Vermox (generic form) for worms - internal parasites - along with antibiotics, etc.  Its not nearly enough, but one child saved, one life made better makes the difference.    It cost us $3.00 per pill and it takes 6 pills to cure someone with worms invading their bodies.  It is your donations that provide these pills. 

We will be looking for ways to make sure snake anti-venom serum is provided.  It is these needs, these situations that beg your compassion and generosity.  Help NHA help those in need.  Give today, give someone in Sierra Leone a chance. 

Nazareth House Apostolate

185 Captains Cove Dr.

Taylorsville, KY 40071

or through the website 

www.nazarethhouseap.org 

by using the paypal donation link.   

bibbidi-bobbidi-boo

Two weeks ago, James traveled  from Kabala to Freetown, the Capital City of Sierra Leone, to pick up supplies and check the Post Office.  The entire family went along.  Kadijah needed to have a prenatal checkup, Roo was having strange fever and Lucy didn't want to stay behind in Kabala - so everyone piled into a transport and went with him.   Upon arrival, Roo's symptoms worsened, Kadijah couldn't get in to see the doctor as fast as she hoped and the Postal Workers were on strike.   Oh Freetown, you never change too much.  

The Post had called James and informed him that he had a few boxes, but because of the strike he had to wait.  Roo's illness became worse, which prompted them to stay put in Freetown and see what was going on with him.   Turns out Roo had strep throat and if the doctor gave him REAL Amoxicillin, he should be fine in a few days.  ...and finally James was able to receive the packages from the Post.  

In the boxes were some medication from our headquarters in Taylorsville, Kentucky and from our Chapter in Athens, Georgia (through Granny Pearl's Trunk) there were two boxes filled with dresses for some our students at Nazareth House Apostolate School.  

James needed to return to Kabala to check on the School, Kadijah decided to stay in Freetown until Roo was healthy enough to travel.   Sanu agreed to accompany James back to Kabala.  On the return trip, James and Sanu noticed some children walking the highway.  They had no real clothes and what clothing was on them was tattered. 

As they drove towards Kabala, boxes of dresses in tow, here were children without dresses.  "Put 'em together and what have you got ... bibbidi-bobbidi-boo"    The two guys, without saying a word, stopped the car and tended to the moment.  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to put two and two together and know what to do.  

bibbidi-bobbidi-boo ...and two little girls are transformed into nice clothing and their mother's smile tells it all.  Fairy Godmother? - unreality!  Supporters of NHA changing people's lives? - total reality! 

As the journey continued, James and Sanu kept their eyes open for more opportunities to surprise a little girl with a dress.  This is one of my favorite things to do when I am in Africa, traveling along the roads, meeting people and giving them supplies and filling needs as we travel.   

Where there is a grass hut, 

there will be people -  so you make your way to them, box in hand.   

The chances are good 

that most of the children you find in the village, will not be wearing much clothing 

and if they have clothes on, they are tattered and ragged. 

More villagers, more dresses.   Slip on a dress and ....

bibbidi-bobbidi-boo

repeat the process 

a red polka dot dress and a sweet little girl 

put them together and what do you got?   

You have smile after 

smile after smile....

Having clothed this village in dresses, its time for James and Sanu to move on to the next.  

but the villagers would not hear of sending them on without some good ole village hospitality.  

So with whatever small amount of food they have, they offer it to their guests.  

It is the way of the village, hospitality is extremely important.  

And so it is with Nazareth House Apostolate; it is thepractice at St. Simeon Skete.  Always offer hospitality -

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.  Hebrews 13:2

Filled with gracious hospitality and thankfulness to the good cook,  James and Sanu head on towards Kabala, its beginning to get dark and the roads get worse the closer you get to town.

As they leave, behind them are smiles and

a very thankful village!

To be continued... more villages stops along the way back to Kabala

check out this blog often for more reports.

Want to help Nazareth House Apostolate change lives? 

Give today!

NHA 

185 Captains Cove Drive

Taylorsville, KY 40071 

or give through our paypal donation link on our website

www.nazarethhouseap.org