Goats & Chickens & Roo, Oh my!

On this particular night in Kabala, I wanted to check on some livestock that had been given to villagers as gifts through Nazareth House via One Love Foundation.

The recipients of these gifts

lived a good distance down the road

which enabled us to enjoy a nice Evening walk along the way.

Upon reaching the house, the family eagerly came out to greet us.

They proudly showed us their gifts - the goats and chickens.

They were very happy and thankful to have received such fine livestock. The chickens were happily pecking on the floor of the steps

as they listened to the radio.

As we gathered the fowl

and goats

for a group photo,

we found out something

we didn't know about Roo.

He is terribly afraid of goats! What a Freetown city boy he is!

This is something he will have to overcome very quickly. I am sure the move to Kabala will take care of that.

GOT SHOES? _____send them to us

I was recently asked: "What does Nazareth House need to operate and what are your expenses?"

The answers are:

1. Our first priority is to establish a permanent center of operations in Freetown, i.e.our own compound. For many reasons, the most practical location for the compound is Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone. As you are well aware, Communication between Nazareth House supporters and those we serve is very important to our work. It enables the flourishing of relationship. Through the blog, Youtube and the website we meet and get to know each other. We learn in detail where our donations are going and how it makes a difference collectively and per each individual. In return the recipient also knows about the donor. Internet communication at the level that we expect and depend on is best accomplished in Freetown. It is also the port in which supplies reach our staff. The accessibility of Freetown, the availability of supplies, etc. make it the prime choice for operations.
   
2. Many worked very hard to pay this year's rent for St. Laurence House, our rented operations center. We have until next March on the current lease.We must own our own property before that time lapses. Time flies by, we need to work very hard to accomplish this goal quickly. There are too many depending on us to survive for us to let this go by the wayside. We have all worked too hard and changed so much to stop now. We must carry on. Special Donations for the compound should be sent noted "Compound Fund".
   
3. Nazareth House's general expenses run at $2000.00 per month. This includes the salaries of 5 teachers at the Kabala School and salary for the school's Superintendent. There are no salaries for administration, etc. of those who work for Nazareth House in the United States. It is all volunteer. The teachers are responsible for well over 200 students as well as administration for the school in Kabala. Pa Foday, a most capable Superintendent, not only supervises it all, he also supervises each of the students personal lives i.e. he faithfully drives his dilapidated motorbike checking on the living conditions, proper assembly and usage of mosquito netting, family health of each and every student. Not to mention, he also works and maintains the village farm. Pa Foday is in desperate need of a new motorbike to do this task. The children live great distances from the school. Special Donations for a new motorbike should be sent noted "NHA School Motorbike". In addition to the salaries and monthly maintenance and supplies for NHA School and its students, Nazareth House monthly expenses include feeding several families in Freetown and various villages between Freetown and Kabala, especially Two Hut Village. We cover medical fees and medications, school fees in and around St. Laurence House, and maintain our staff as well as utilities for our rented center of operations. It is truly amazing how much we are doing with so little. This is because God can do big with small. When we think we are not big enough or capable of providing the need, God says "IAM". Our income barely covers the monthly expenses. There are some months it doesn't make it and people must go without. This is the reason for our campaign to secure minimum $25 monthly donations. The more people that are giving $25 a month, the more we can do for the men, women and children who are without food or are surviving on a single meal a day, dying of curable diseases, living uneducated, etc. We must spread the word and generate more support. If you haven't already committed to a monthly donation please consider doing so today. Monthly Donations can be mailed each month to Nazareth House Apostolate at 2216 Goldsmith Lane, Louisville, KY 40218 or sent automatically through your Financial Institution's online billpay system. You may also pay through the website via paypal.
   
4. Monthly income is our most crucial need at this time, without it, we cannot meet the needs of so many desperate people, as well as raise the funds to perpetuate our existence in Sierra Leone with our own compound.

GOT SHOES? In addition to monthly support, we have partnered with One Love Foundation, Summit Hill and the students at Penn Kidder School in Pennsylvania to collect shoes for the students of our Kabala School and the children of St. Mary's Orphanage in Freetown.

St. Mary's Orphanage (outskirts of Freetown)

We are looking to collect over 300 pairs of children's shoes. We are accepting NEW shoes only. (if you have some exceptionally shoes in excellent shape, we may accept them but please do not send well worn or dirty shoes). We are looking for sneakers and substantial shoes but will also accept flip flops. Remember it is hot and humid in Sierra Leone and the rainy season is fast approaching. All Shoes should be of various children's sizes (toddler to teenage) and should be sent to:

* Nazareth House Apostolate/One Love Foundation (For SHOES ONLY)
* Attn. Maria Stianchie
* 402 W. White Bear Drive
* Summit Hill, PA 18250

Be sure to Note Nazareth House Apostolate and your name on each shoe shipment.

Shoes should be sent prior to May 23, 2009.


All Financial Donations should be sent to:
Nazareth House Apostolate
2216 Goldsmith Lane
Louisville, KY 40218

Life of a package traveling from USA to Sierra Leone

For years now Nazareth House Apostolate has tried to find the most cost effective and successful route of getting supplies to Sierra Leone.

 

Above photo: Freetown Postal Workers sorting our boxes received in Freetown last year. Roo helps to sort them.

I tried DHL, but that is ridiculously cost prohibitive. Simply, we found that the US POST PRIORITY FLAT RATE BOXES have been very prompt in getting there. Once there, the Freetown post has been great in making sure our supplies get to James. Problem solved.

 

Box after box filled with medical supplies, essentials, and gifts for the poor have been traveling from Louisville to Sierra Leone with reasonable speed and 100% arrival rate.

I recently traveled to Summit Hill, Pennsylvania to meet with my dear friend, Maria Stianchie,founder of ONE LOVE FOUNDATION.

 

Maria & Vicki at Allentown Airport


Maria and I have blended our efforts to make the work possible in Sierra Leone. It is the orphanage that she supports, St. Mary's Orphanage near Freetown, that Nazareth House Apostolate has now also made commitment.
St. Mary's Orphanage



It was Maria who kicked in the final funds for NHA to reach their goal for their last mission trip in September 2008. It was Maria who produced the first funds in hopes of securing Nazareth House's compound. Its that "unity thing" we keep talking about at Nazareth House - to its fullest again. It blows me away, seeing people working together.

While at Summit Hill, Maria told me of the need to get a laptop charger to Fr. Sandy of St. Martins in Freetown. "No problem", I said, "lets go to the post, pack it up and send it to James"; "It should be there in 10 days or maybe longer but it will get there". This has always been the case, so I wasn't concerned.

In Maria's kitchen (which is the place to be in Summit Hill, this woman can cook!), we packed up everything we could get our hands on, including the charger in a nice new US PRIORITY Flat Rate box - white with red/blue lettering. We went to the post, Maria paid the shipping cost and off the package goes. Simple, easy, no problem...

Last week, James got the call, the box has arrived...

 

But it was in a totally different box than the one we packed...

 

PLUS most of the contents were missing. Of the 500 pencils we sent, only 21 arrived!

 

The charger was there but the connectors were not. We packed this box solely for Fr. James Sandy. This young priest works so hard for his people and these were items Maria wanted him to have...even down to the Muscle Milk.

Little Roo took it upon himself to investigate this strange drink

 

and he believed that a complete, detailed investigation required a taste...

 

Roo quickly gave his stamp of approval and the drink brought a huge smile to his face. He thinks "THIS IS SOMETHING FANTASTIC!"


James was very disappointed that many of the items intended for Fr. Sandy had been removed from the box. He filed complaint with the Freetown Post but they hinted that it must have happened in America. I hold a different opinion.

I was shocked that these items had come up missing when I have had such a good re pore with the Freetown Postal Workers. They have been very honest and fair with us, no troubles at all. And now, suddenly we have missing packages and this one arrives in a completely different box! James tells me there are new workers at the Post Office, maybe they have not learned proper procedure, not aware of the thing which is right. Despite it all, this is so sad. We have several other boxes out, most importantly some much needed health items for the orphanage. I pray they show up very soon.

James packed up what he has named "Fr. Sandy's Empty Box" and attended Sunday Services at St. Martin's where Fr. Sandy is priest.

 

The whole St. Laurence House Family attended Mass at St. Martins.

 

Lucy gives Fr. James Sandy his "empty box" and he checks out his "goodies".

 

Being the gracious, humble man that he is, Fr. Sandy is thankful for his "empty box" and is anxious to taste the muscle milk.

 

Fr. Sandy with the St. Laurence House Family, James, Roo, Kadijah, Lucy and Ann Marie.

God works in mysterious ways, the ripping open of the box was meant for bad, but God made it for good. James and his family were delighted to meet Fr. Sandy and I know a new and lasting friendship has been formed. Just as Maria and I work together in America; I am sure that James and Fr. Sandy will be work together in Salone.

Reminder, we've been allowed a slight grace period on the rent. There is still time this week to send in your donation. We are in need of $2,200 today. Please consider a gift to keep this beautiful work going. It is so unique because it goes far beyond humanitarian aid, it is building relationships - we're finding out the world is not so big after all. Interaction with our brothers and sisters, despite an ocean in between, doesn't stop us, the love is growing.


Two ways to give:
Mail to NHA
2216 Goldsmith Lane
Louisville, KY 40218

or through the website
www.nazarethhouseap.org
left panel, bottom of page DONOR link.

LORD, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle? * or who shall rest upon thy holy hill?

Even he that leadeth an uncorrupt life, * and doeth the thing which is right, and speaketh the truth from his heart.

He that hath used no deceit in his tongue, nor done evil to his neighbour, * and hath not slandered his neighbour.

He that setteth not by himself, but is lowly in his own eyes, * and maketh much of them that fear the LORD.

He that sweareth unto his neighbour, and disappointeth him not, * though it were to his own hindrance.

He that hath not given his money upon usury, * nor taken reward against the innocent.

Whoso doeth these things * shall never fall. -Psalm 15

NHA makes life difficult for Malaria Mosquitoes...

 

 

 

Through your generosity and compassion, NHA was able to provide Mosquito Bed Netting for all of the families of the students at NHA Kabala School, for many families in Freetown, and for several families along the road from Freetown to Kabala. It was very exciting to be able actually place these nets into the hands of those who desperately need them and to those who will actually use them for their purpose: to help stop the spread of malaria! As I said before, unfortunately we had to purchase these bednets at $8 per net! This was a very worthwhile expenditure and we didn't mind to do it. What we did mind, was finding out after we opened the box full of nets, that these bednets were clearly marked "NOT FOR RESALE" as they were gifts to the people of Sierra Leone from other Aid Organizations. They were intended to be distributed to those so vulnerable to malaria, but instead were hoarded and resold. At least, ...at least, NHA was able to put these nets over the beds of families for which they were intended...and this is a blessing.

Pa Foday has assured us that he will check in on all the families that received bednets at the school and see that they are being used properly. We thank him for this and appreciate his time given to assure that malaria mosquitoes attempt at reaching the children is hampered.