Post comes so St. Laurence House can do their job... Giving, Giving, Giving.

Most of the supplies we ship to St. Laurence House in Freetown is hospital supply, medical, over the counter medicine and special needs. However, the USPS allows 20 pounds per flat rate box. Many times we have syringes and IV tubing which weigh very little. So we cram the box with other items taking advantage of the 20 lb limit. These last few shipments have been filled with medicines and extras to be distributed at Christmas time to those living around Freetown. We've also shipped our annual candy canes for the students at our Nazareth House Apostolate Kabala School. Many of the over the counter medications were purchased from Dollar Tree and Big Lots. Effective medication at a great price.

We've been praying for little Samuel Mansaray, the son of Paul and Hannah Mansaray. Paul is James' elder brother. Samuel has not been well, not able to take nourishment and has no appetite or energy. Plagued with repetative fevers and swollen glands, no doctors have been able to diagnose him or help him.

Samuel was the reason for this shipment, we sent him some nourishment boosters such as "Kids essentials" to give him vitamins and hopefully stimulate his appetite.

The boxes are hauled home from the Post Office to St. Laurence House

(Kadijah is lifting 60 pounds worth of supplies - 20 lbs per box)

where they are sorted according to distribution.

The St. Laurence House family

gets into the helping unload and sort the boxes.

Everyone is checking to see if there might be something special

just for them tucked in the packages.

I always try to put something fun, something unusual for James and the family to find when they open up the boxes.

This time it was Groucho Marx Faces which Roo and James

displayed for us all immediately! Heh! Groucho doing the Spiderman sign... Oh Roo, such fun you are...

"Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes? " -Groucho Marx

In these particular packages Roo received his Christmas gifts, a bit early. When I was in Freetown, Roo had a tiny toy Scooby Doo toy, so I sang the Scooby Doo theme song from the cartoon. He looked puzzled at me. Roo didn't know there were Scooby cartoons or Scooby Songs or anything. So in returning to the States, I sent him some dvds, only to find out that their television at St. Laurence House has now bit the dust and there is no way to watch the videos... sigh. Prices for an old analog TV in Freetown range upwards of $900 so it is not feasible to buy one there, and no way to afford cost of shipping them one - for now they will do without and maybe I can figure a way to bring a portable dvd player to them next mission visit. However take a good look at the smile on Roo's face,

watching the videos doesn't matter to him, he's happy enough just to look at all the DVD cases with his favorite characters on them.

This was Roo's special box,

having new Scooby Doo pajamas

and several people helped add a few spiderman gifts -

ah this Christmas has already proven to be one of his best,

Roo is very happy but ALWAYS

remembers to share with his friends.

Nazareth House and all involved are very thankful for your love and support. You make this happen! You are bringing about many many smiles. God bless you!

Excitement, Smiles & Lip Licking Fun!!! Ah, the joy of a candy cane...

 

One by one, Alie distributes candy canes & pencils to the students at NHA Kabala School. While Alie is doing that, James snaps away these photographs so that we can share in the event as if we were there ourselves.

 

As this little girl crams her candy cane into her mouth, the girls behind her patiently, eagerly await their turn!

 

Click on this photo below to get the full details and see the utter joy of these children! The smiles, the giggles, experience it all. Carry these smiles with you today as you go about your business. The chances are they are the most genuine smiles you've seen in a while. Thank you for being a part of the joy for these children.

 

Candy Canes Arrive at NHA Kabala School

 

James enters the classroom and warms the students up with some clapping and singing as they prepare to receive their gifts of candy canes & pencils.

 

Alie Jalloh gets more students ready for the big moment. How different from 1st world countries and how moving to see children thrilled to receive a candy cane and pencil. This is a very exciting day for them, the day the candy canes come. It is a rare treat and the children are anxious.

 

 

A teacher, Alie and James line the kids up outside. See tomorrow's post on this blog to view the photos of the children as they receive their treats. Have a wonderful day; See ya tomorrow...

One Hut Village gets Candy Canes

Report by James Mansaray: Freetown, Sierra Leone:

I realise it has been a while since I last wrote on this blog. I miss reporting and I miss you all so much - especially those contributing in making NHA grow and become more interesting. I've been very busy working, implementing the care and aid that you, through Nazareth House provides for the people of my country. So much to say but I will start with just a few words, and they are actually words of prayer for you all supporting the Nazareth House Apostolate Cause here in Salone (Krio for Sierra Leone).

You won't expect me to jump straight to the activities coming up this year 2009 without first mentioning the last days of the year 2008, would you? As the old year rolls out and the new year slides in; there is so much to reflect on. With your help and support a whole lot has been accomplished. We now look forward to reaching more of the lost, more of the sick, more of those clothed in rags and to make bigger and better differences in the lives of those who are our brothers and sisters in God.

Customarily for NHA, our first priorities are to pray and to love each other and to bring smiles to those who think there is no need to smile. I guess you've all had a visual taste of the tiny red and white stuff called candy canes that Nazareth House has been spreading around Salone. Not all are fortunate to have it but we at NHA have been making it possible for hundreds to have a taste of it for at least once a year.
This time round, our thanks goes to Carlos & Pat Portuondo ( Milford, Connecticut) who kindly provided it for distribution to our kids in memory of our dear friend, Fr. Bob Haux.

Sorry to say it took more than a month traveling in post to get here but it did come, Better late than never - and as Mama Vicki said in earlier blog posts, its usually around the time for dusty Harmattan. No matter when they come, the kids are extremely grateful and happy.

As usual, Roo, Lucy, and Ann Marie were the first to get a bite of the peppermint canes, followed by a handful of kids at Godrich village, and then on to one hut village before reaching the final destination at the Nazareth House Kabala School.

 

My gratitude to a young man, Alie Jalloh from USA who was here to help me do it all.


Alie was a bit shy to enter into the hut at ONE HUT VILLAGE. It is so different from his life now in America.
Once inside, Alie got a good memory of what it is like to live in a hut such as this and now with these photos you can experience life in a mud hut, too. Notice the simple but strong bed made of wood (Alie must have thought his weight would break it, but it is very sturdy). Click on the photo to enlarge it and you will see that this village is using its Mosquito Netting that Nazareth House Provided last September.

Mohammad seems a bit thin, I think next visit we should concentrate on more food supplies for this village. Mama Vicki treated everyone at One Hut Village for internal worms and from the kids bellies we can see some improvement but we will need another treatment for them soon.

Once back out of the hut, Alie gets back to handing out NHA candy canes.

 

 

It doesn't take long before the kids are sucking down the sweet minty sticks. A treat they have never experienced before. Thanks Pat & Carlos and thanks to all of you that make it all possible to do this work. It is a team work, the candy, the funds to make the trip, the other supplies we carried on this trip. NHA has the best team and the best cooperation. Thank you all.

 

I sign of for now, but look again tomorrow...we have much more to say about candy canes as we reach Kabala and see the students. And you know me, I will be showing you lots of my pictures. See you tomorrow. I love you all, James

Delivering red & white striped smiles

As James continues on his way to Kabala,

 

 

one child after another receives a special treat, a candy cane.

 

The students at Nazareth House Kabala School anxiously wait for their candy canes to arrive. The picture below is of the students receiving their candy canes last year. Be sure to note the difference when you see the students this year receiving the candy canes. These pictures will be posted in the next day or so. When you see this years photos, notice that the students now have school uniforms and a school building - thanks to Nazareth House Apostolate and those who support its endeavors to aid and assist the lives of those in Sierra Leone.

Candy Canes and Harmattan Dust

Each year, shifting winds known as the Harmattan head southward from the Sahara Desert. As it darkens the skies with sandy grit, the dry air also makes for some really cold nights for the people of Sierra Leone, who are used to blustery equatorial weather. The dusty wind can be severe enough to ground airplanes & helicopters. Because of the extremely chilly nights and the dust that aggravates the lungs, most in Sierra Leone see this weather condition as a great nuisance. But for others it's a business opportunity. Charcoal vendors move their product to buyers seeking nighttime warmth.

Secondhand clothes sellers bring out the knit-wool hats, hoodies and ski parkas. Children bang dust out of customers' rugs with broomsticks. For car washers, it's an excellent time to bring in some much needed funds. As you look around, you can see the dusty yellow coating it leaves behind on palm trees...

 

...and little boys. (click on above photo to enlarge & look closely at his dusty legs)

No matter when Nazareth House Apostolate sends the Annual Candy Cane Treats, it seems they always arrive about the time of Harmattan - when dust in the air coats everything...and everyone.

 

Notice the dust on these children. You could write your name in the dust on the little boy's belly. Candy Canes and Dust do not make the best combination, but to these children, a few extra gritty particles really didn't matter. A candy cane is such a special treat.

James and his friend Ali recently made the trip from Freetown to Kabala for the annual distribution of candy canes to our students at the Nazareth House Kabala School recently. Along the way, they handed out candy canes to the children they met as they passed village after village.

 

The young man on the left is sporting a Harmattan dust covered face with a shiny sticky circle around his mouth, evidence of a well licked candy cane!!!


You who are filled with love and compassion for the people of Sierra Leone, are able to express this through Nazareth House Apostolate who delivers that love into a tangible reality. What a team we all are in Nazareth House. Thanks for your support... and the difference you make in the lives of so many... Have a wonderful day!