The blessing of a smile.

HER SMILE BLESSES ME………

Blog post by James Bombolia Mansaray: Kabala, Sierra Leone

Meeting my beloved Sierra Leonean people in the villages always brings the smiles out of me.  No matter how down I am, no matter how overwhelmed I am, these people who have little to nothing always give to me more than I can express. Thanks to Nazareth House Apostolate for making it possible for me to go to these beautiful people even with the little support we are getting.

Have you ever noticed a true smile from the very poor? Go buy few bags of rice and bring to these villagers who might have been hungry for couple of days then you will see what I mean.  The thought that someone considered their troubles and came to them delights them so.  

Yesterday I gave rice to the few lucky ones in surrounding villages courtesy of money sent in by Mama Vicki to give out to some people for Christmas. It is always not enough but with the little we have,  you can see the smiles that am talking about.

It is easy to smile when things go good for you, when everything is falling into place, but most grumble when things are not going good.  But these villagers keep a smile even if things are worse.  They are happy for another day in hopes things might get better.  And when they get a bit of relief they are overjoyed. We all do smile and  always see people smile when they  get a gift or something but this lady set my eyes with tears of joy after I gave a bag of rice to her family. She just couldn't hold it inside and you can tell from her parched lips that there was nothing placed in her mouth several  days. I was so honored to be there for her and would love to do more of this and bring out more smiles like this.  I can do this but I need your help through NHA, donate today, let's bring out more smiles. 

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!

Report from James Mansaray in Freetown. Part 1 of 3

REPORT FROM JAMES MANSARAY: Freetown, Sierra Leone

Being away too long leaves me with no option but to apologize to you all for the silence. I was totally worn out and needed rest which I guess you all will understand, I hope.

A Birthday comes once in a year but it seems as if mine comes twice. Just after my week off, my birthday was here, followed by Kadijahs’ birthday few days later. See what am saying? I get to celebrate with Kadijah, too so it seems like I am having two birthdays. I thank you all for making these two special days wonderful for both of us. Now I know that I have so many around me with lots of love and concern. Tenki!

Now, let’s talk about the past few weeks here at St. Laurence House and the NHA School in Kabala. You will all recall that I spent couple of days with them a few weeks ago and I did have a wonderful time too.



You've had a glimpse of the students on the blog already. It seems as if Mama Vicki could not wait even a few days for these pictures to go with my short report. Anyways, this is all part of our mission and I thank her so much for keeping you all alive with our day to day activities at Nazareth House Apostolate.

If you would ask me now “James, what you want to do next on the blog?” I will proudly say, "Meeting the NHA school kids”.


On my arrival at the school ground the first morning, they almost mobbed me with hugs and greetings. How could you say no to a bunch of love like this when there is a whole lot in the world searching for one? They are and had been part of us and there is no way to send them back. Consider yourself honored and lucky to be part of this family here. All those little THANK YOU signs came directly from the hearts of those pretty kids you see on picture. Nazareth House is making an impact and improving the lives of so many here.




MORE OF THIS REPORT TOMORROW - APRIL 15TH. CHECK BACK FOR PART 2 OF 3...
Read and see the students of NHA Kabala School in action, she report card day...



Have a great day...
Above photo is of the Collage of Photos that hangs in the Office of Nazareth House Kabala School in Kabala Sierra Leone.



Note from Blog Admin: the photo quality is not up to our usual standards. James will explain this in next blog posts. Don't worry, the quality will return. Things happen. : )

Students at our KABALA SCHOOL

 

The students of Nazareth House Apostolate Kabala School send out their thank you to all of you. (Click on any photo to enlarge and see in detail).

 

A handful of our supporters have been featured here.
To see more photos of our supporters please visit "Photo Web Albums" page of our website www.nazarethhouseap.org and
click on the "Our sponsors" photo album

 

James and Alie stand on the porch of the NHA Kabala School.

 

With sweet candy cane still fresh on their lips and pencils in hand, the children return home for the day. As the sun retires, they will climb into their Mosquito Netted beds and dream wonderful plans of how their education will improve their lives and benefit their future.

For every child at our school in Kabala, there are dozens more who are not able to go to school - can't pay school fees, no transportation, etc. We've got a lot to do, there is so much need. Yet, we've taken a huge step in the right direction, we are making a difference. Please continue your support.

 

As James and Alie head back to Freetown from Kabala, they distribute the remaining candy canes along the road to some of these children who do not have a new school building, who do not have fancy new uniforms.

 

 

These children have to work hard to survive. They must all work together to help their parents provide.

 

They don't have time for school, no time to stop and savor a candy cane, they must keep on working.

 

Alie helps this small girl with her bundle and her candy cane. She must walk long and fast to accomplish what she needs for her family to survive.

It is these faces, these children that need our help. Help us to help children like these to be children, to laugh and love and be free. Together through Nazareth House we can deepen our work and reach more and more. Please keep up the support.

Nazareth House Kabala School in session today, Closed Tomorrow in memory and respect of Fr. Robert M. Haux

Today the students at Nazareth House Apostolate School in Kabala, Sierra Leone will attend school as usual
They will make the long walk up the steep hill, through the morning mist to their beloved school. A school made possible through generous hearts who made their education a reality...one such heart will be buried tomorrow, but cherished in memory with love forever.


As Pa Foday rings the bell, the students rush to enter the building, a school building that a little over a year ago was only a dream.

As the desks and benches fill up...

...the straggling students arrive and another school day begins. Thanks to you, education is a HUGE reality in Kabala...

(note: all students now have uniforms completed and are in use, these pictures were taken a few weeks back)

Back in the capital city of Sierra Leone, Freetown. More and more lives that have been touched by Fr. Bob's love assemble with signs to pay their respects. Pa Sorie and Sanu (manager of the internet cafe) at the Internet cafe that James uses most to bring updates and news to us in America.