New Year, New Baby Boy...

We've been praying for the successful delivery of Binta Bangura's baby. Her husband, Anthony is James' uncle. I received this email tonight from James in Freetown, Sierra Leone:

Hey Mama Hicks,

You missed it!!! Few minutes after you log off the internet from our Chat, a nurse at the hospital called that Binta's surgery was successful and it was a bouncing baby boy. What a joy for us all!!! Binta was so worried and so was her husband. Guess what this is her third child. The first one was successful, lost the second and then got this one. She has gone through three major surgeries here in Freetown, can you imagine that? She said this is the last, great risk doing birth here. Thanks to the doctor for helping her get this one this time.

More tomorrow on this. I wont be able to see the new boy till tomorrow morning.
Thanks for all your prayers. See this was quick request and God fired back a quick answer.

Love to you all.

James and all at St. Laurence House.

Mosquito Net in Proper Use in Kabala

 

Many of you remember the previous post on this blog, last Fall, when NHA purchased mosquito bed netting for the families of Nazareth House Apostolate School, Kabala Sierra Leone at the cost of $8.00 per net. Donations for this purchase came from several of you, One Love Foundation and Penn Kidder School in Pennsylvania. (See September, October previous post of this blog)

There have been many news articles lately about Organizations donating items of need to an particular country or institution and the items not reaching the people for which they are intended. Instead it is stored in a warehouse and then sold to those lucky enough to afford the item. Such is the case with the mosquito nets we purchased. We bought them in bulk in Freetown, counted them quickly and immediately shipped them to Kabala for the students and their families. We did not have the time to read the bags in which each netting was enclosed. Once we began to distribute the nets in Kabala, we became aware that we had paid for something that should have been distributed to the people for FREE.

The above photograph of the nets we purchased quite clearly states "NOT FOR RESALE" which means the net was a gift (in this case from Canadian International Development Agency). (click on any of our blog photos to enlarge)

 

We found ourselves with the nets in hand and the need surrounding us...so...naturally we distributed them as planned.

 

It is disturbing to donate an item thinking you are helping a group of people, only to find out that someone is hording that donation to resale and make profit, while more and more children are dying of malaria. There are nets given for them, they simply aren't receiving them.

 

However, need breeds greed. It is not acceptable, but I do understand. People in such great poverty resort to anything to put bread on the table for their families. THEY ARE HUNGRY, VERY HUNGRY. This is not a situation specific to Sierra Leone, it is a common occurrence in many poor countries. In Sierra Leone, the government is working very hard to overcome this problem. It takes time. It won't clean up overnight.

 

This is where Nazareth House approaches this situation in a different manner. We have been blessed with a tremendous staff in Sierra Leone, both in Freetown and in Kabala. We personally deliver and hand out the needs.


Nazareth House builds relationships with the people it serves. Its not a "here's a handout, see ya later" kind of deal. Once we assist someone or organization, we continue with them, checking out to see that they are okay and that they have what they need. Our goals are to help them in such a way to rise above adversity, if not monetarily at least emotionally. We can't promise everyone that we will change their lives or make them prosper. We can't and we don't. That is not what Nazareth House is about.

We do promise to keep an eye out for that person/organization/family. We don't invade privacy and swarm over them intrusively, but check in...they have become part of the Nazareth House family and we look after one another.

 

Recently James returned to Kabala. Pa Foday has been monitoring the bed nets that we gave out in the Fall 2008. He checks to see that the families are using them properly.

 

Pa Foday and James and I are happy to report, the bed nets are being used properly, remain with the families for which they are intended ...and as you can see from the joy on this little girls face... Mosquito Free makes for a happy state of mind.

Thank You for a great 2008

Peace, Love and Blessings for a fine 2009!

Saying Good-bye to 2008 & Welcoming the New Year

2008 has been a long, hard, but never-the-less rewarding year, for Nazareth House. We've had sorrows, we've saw many dear, dear friends pass on, we've had pain, and we have been without. Yet, in the same light, we've loved, made new friends, we've provided, we've had joy, we've had many wonderful accomplishments - what a jammed packed year this has been!

In the Holiday Spirit, our family & staff at St. Laurence House in Freetown, gathered their friends and neighbors, packed a picnic lunch and headed to the quiet No. 2 River beach to spend a day of celebration of fellowship, of thanksgiving, and of optimistic anticipation of new beginnings as 2009 unfolds.

 

 

 

 

St Laurence House friends & neighbors

 

Kadijah (always the gracious hostess) Good Food and Good Friends

 

 

A day of fun and fellowship. Best Wishes for a Blessed New Year from all of us at Nazareth House Apostolate.

More Salone Smiles...

 

As Christmas approached, James went to the rice store and purchased several bags of rice(provided by Nazareth House Apostolate through your generosity) to distribute to those in need.

 

He headed towards Kabala to take our School's teachers and administration their salaries. As he did so, he delivered bags of rice along the way.

 

This ensured several families would indeed have a meal for Christmas - as well as many other meals in the weeks to come.

 

 

The smiles show that THIS GIFT was most welcomed.

 

Thanks for making possible smiles, please continue your support for 2009. God bless you.

Kroo Bay Sierra Leone -NHA

The latest video is up from our work in Kroo Bay, Sierra Leone.

This Christmas Day, many of us are enjoying a huge family dinner with our loved ones and friends (including our pick of several desserts) , we are opening presents and counting our blessings.

Yet, there are millions of people around the world that will spend this Holiday without a meal, without any gifts. Hungry and exposed to disease, they make do with what they have.

 

A young mother pulls together a dinner made of a small handful of rice, a bit of cassava -

 

 

the family gathers to share a dinner (only enough for one)

 

I have witnessed such scenes many times in Sierra Leone.

 

 

In Freetown, I see children playing with sticks and old tires

 

with huge smiles on their faces, having the best time with one another, true wholesome child's play.

 

 

They didn't get any new toys for Christmas, yet they are having fun. ...and they are thankful.

 

This is a time to celebrate our blessings. It is a time to anticipate a new year with plans for bettering ourselves, etc. This is all good and necessary. It is also necessary and the time is now to come together on behalf of those who need our help.

The people in Sierra Leone need your help. We ask you to consider a commitment to regular support of the work of Nazareth House Apostolate in 2009, so that you will make a difference in the lives of those who so desperately need you. Give them a chance, change their lives. Nazareth House is working to better their lives by providing food, shelter and medical assistance. As we do this, it is only a bandaid, we also work deeper by providing education and skills for continued improvement of their lives.

Oh...and if you are looking for a last minute 2008 tax deduction (before December 31), your donations to Nazareth House are tax-deductible and will be the perfect gift for your brothers and sisters less fortunate than yourself. God bless you all.