The Photos of Alimamy's Funeral in Freetown

 

 

 

 

Pictures of Alimamy at his pharmacy, the second picture is of Samuel (James' nephew - Paul's son)with Roo and Alimamy's daughter Imami. A picture of Hannah, Alimamy's sister and Paul's wife and the last photo is of Alimamy's mother at the coffin.

Alimamy took care of the sick, Goodbye dear friend Salone will miss you!

above picture: Alimamy attending to two ill and starving children.

Report by James Mansaray, Nazareth House Freetown:
It was on a rainy Wednesday morning that I got a text message from Mama Vicki announcing the death of our beloved aunt Nancy of Grace Church. Yes, it was said by her doctor that she will be passing on but the right time was to be decided between her and Jesus. This message was received with pain thinking of how much aunt Nancy has blessed and loved many here in Sierra Leone. For Lucy and Ann Marie, it was all tears whilst Kadijah could not say nor eat anything for the rest of the day.

Three hours later, we were again struck with the news of death of Alimamy Samuel Gebateh ( my brother's wife - Hannah's elder Brother) at the Wilberforce 38 hospital. This is another blow to St. Laurence since he was one of our main medical persons here in Freetown.

Fr. and Mama Vicki happened to meet him a year ago when Little Roo was a baby. Alimamy did all he could to make sure that Roo got his circumcision surgery done well and at a very low cost.

ALLMAN as I always call him died at the age of 33 leaving behind a beautiful Daughter, several brothers and sisters, aging parents and a host of responsibilities. All his life, Alimamy grew up in Kabala and after high school got him self admitted at the Bo Paremedic school where he attained great knowledge as a medical officer. As the war intensifies, Alimamy got his first job working for a group called DOCTORS WITH OUR BORDERS in the Port Loko Kambia District and did all he could to help heal war victims and sick people in that area. With time and as the job fades away, he took on the task to set up a private Pharmacy here in Freetown. Alimamy became like a father and and everything not only for the people of Grass Field, Lumley but for many people here in Freetown. Alimamy is one of the medical men that will treat you first before asking for money. When his tribute was read yesterday at the St. Luke Church, he left behind fifteen million leones ($5,000) that poor people owed to him in unpaid medical fees.

Strange black signs under his feet was the seed of all this. Later on he was said to to be suffering from lungs infection, God only Knows whether he must have contracted this disease as he was trying to helped thousands of helpless sick people. Having lost his only love for reasons best known to her, Alimamy begins to deteriorate fighting hard to help him self up. (His wife left him) At his sick bed, he was giving instructions and helping sick people through his mobile phone. A patient was at the point of death in a bed adjacent to his at the 38 Hospital and the doctor in charge finding it very difficult to find his vein for an IV --it was Alimamy how came to his rescue.

The Youngest Medical Officer at the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology. Godrich Campus was also working hard spending more time to improve and become a better helper to the suffering Sierra leonean died leaving so much undone behind him. Quoting his words when I last saw him, " James, I feel so bad that I don't have the strength to go and see my sick patients, that's why I am telling this doctor here to do all he can to make me well." I just could not look into his eyes at that moment. I remembered him helping me survive the terrible Typhoid disease that almost killed me last year, it was this brave man that helped me through it. It was very difficult for me to stand this moment.

I will end by saying that please keep praying for this family that he left behind, especially his six year old daughter. She has gone through a lot and needs all of us to help her out from this great loss. She is attending the same school as Lucy and Ann Marie and she will probably be in the care of Paul and Hannah.

He has been blessing not only to Nazareth House Apostolate but the nation as a whole. We will miss him.

In Christ.

James B. Mansaray.

St. Laurence House says goodbye to good friend...

As the Grace Church Family says Good-bye to their dear friend, Nancy Denison, in Louisville, Kentucky - the St. Laurence House family in Freetown also say their goodbyes to Nancy. Nancy, a long time Sr. Warden of Grace Church, communicated regularly by email, text with James before her illness took hold of her. She was very involved in their lives, in the ministry in Sierra Leone. Whatever the need, if just a phone call of encouragement, Nancy was quick to be there for our Nazareth House family. She loved them and they loved her as evidenced by the above photos - it is their way of saying goodbye to a member of the family that has penetrated their lives across oceans, across borders, across boundaries.

Today, Grace Church celebrated Nancy's life in a Requiem Mass for the parish. Carol South, our organist, played the songs that Nancy (a dedicated member of the choir) cherished and loved. Words of love were spoken. It was a beautiful tribute to the one we loved so much. The impact that Nancy has had on our lives (at Grace Church and beyond) is tremendous, she will be missed and always in our hearts.

Photos for Post Below...

 

 

 

 

Photo 1: James visiting Gladys at hospital before she passed on. Through the supporters of Nazareth House, Gladys' hospital fees and medical treatment were provided as well as assistance to her and her family.
Photo 2: Simba, the crazy and beloved wild dingo of St. Laurence House
Photo 3: The St. Laurence House Staff, James, Roo (on James shoulder), Ann Marie (background peeking out), Lucy and Kadijah.
Photo 4: Smiling little Roo!

See post below...

....sigh....

While those of us in Louisville, Kentucky mourn the loss of our beloved Sr. Warden of Grace Church and Nazareth House Apostolate Advisor, Nancy Denison, who dropped the body on Wednesday, June 4; our staff in Sierra Leone mourn the passing of a beloved medical man, Alimamy, who transitioned to the next life on the same day. Like Nancy, He has been ill for some months now. Alimamy is the brother of James' sister-in-law, Hannah, the wife of Paul Mansaray. Alimamy was the breadwinner of the family and his loss will be felt emotionally as well as by the loss of income. We ask that you keep these families in your prayers as they wade through this difficult time.

Though an ocean apart, the circumstances of our staff at St. Laurence House and that of our own always run parallel. This is because our lives are very much entwined, they are in every sense of the word - family! Nancy's death affects them as well as Alimamy's passing affects us. Aunty Nancy (as she is known in Freetown & Kabala) was a big part of the lives of James, Kadijah, Lucy, Ann Marie and little Roo. She regularly emailed & text messaged James, spoke to him on the phone from time to time and sent treats & gifts to St. Laurence House. She spearheaded the shower for Kadijah during her pregnancy with Roo and was always ready and willing to help out in any crisis arising out of those living in poverty.

We all mourned, with those in Sierra Leone, the passing of sweet Gladys earlier this year and we all pray for the children she left behind. We will do the same for Alimamy who worked to heal so many in Freetown.

Despite the miles - the fact is - Nazareth House is one big family struggling to boost each other, transforming lives. Those who are involved become a part of each others lives. Because we are small, we are able to keep this personal touch. As time goes on we will all know the names and circumstances of the students at our school in Kabala who we are providing a free education....giving them a real chance at a better life. You are Nazareth House - not the Incorporation, but YOU are Nazareth House and each act of love, be it distributing rice to the needy, giving a much needed hug to a crying child, sitting with the dying, building a school, cleaning up a poor soul who has no hands and has soiled his pants, paying school fees, paying medical costs - all that Nazareth House does... - this is all done in the name of the contributors, the supporters, those that pray. When Kadijah provides a meal for a hungry beggar - it is YOU feeding that soul. When James provides the funds to admit someone very ill into the hospital - it is YOU getting that person medical treatment. When a construction worker drives a nail into the building of our school in Kabala, it is YOU hammering it in. You all need to know that YOU ARE NAZARETH HOUSE making possible a better existence for so many who otherwise would have NO chance.

As with all families, it is give and take. We make possible assistance to those in Sierra Leone and they bring us so much love and joy. How many of you have had your day brightened by little Roo's smile? or by listening to James sing on our youtube video, Simba the dog howling all the while? All of us have benefited by the daily prayers rising out of St. Laurence House and from those we have come in contact with in Sierra Leone. They know you by name, they know you have helped them and they love you unconditionally.

We're all feeling the pinch of the economic slow down. It is felt harder than a mere pinch to our families suffering in unspeakable poverty who are hurt by rising costs.
You can help. Give today.

Triplets in Freetown!

Triplets in Sierra Leone are a rarity. We pray for their survival.

Email from James Mansaray in Freetown to Vicki Hicks in Louisville:

Hey Mama,

I came across this mother, named Mabinty from Temne Tribe, downtown today begging for survival for her three beautiful girls. They are very tiny. A young girl in Kabala recently gave birth to three like this poor lady but two died a week later. They could not get the right care and am afraid for these as well, too. One of them was sick and the mother was crying for help there. Few people gave little coins. I gave a little too and want to send these pictures to you.
Guess you are busy. Any word on Nancy??

James

NOTE: James is referring to Nancy, the Sr. Warden of Grace Church in Louisville who is very ill.

Kabala Report from James in Freetown, Sierra Leone

Report James Mansaray: NHA Media: 28 May: Having spent four good days in the provinces, i am happy to report it all to you.
This time it was on a late Friday evening when i got a comfortable ride to Kabala. Phone lines were out so it was very difficult for me to inform Mama Vicki earlier but she finally got hold of me and we got little time texting back and forth.
I did took along few medications, some rice and building supplies to help push the school Construction. With the little money sent by Mama Vicki just a day before i left, there was enough to do all of the wall plastering and white washing as you can see on the pictures. Day by day the workers are doing their best and i guess it wont be too long to see it all done.
Saturday morning was kind of hectic. I was busy moving back and forth buying more concrete whilst Pa Foday was painting and the rest of the workers doing their part. Lunch time was the only break we had and at the end of the day, a whole portion of work was done.
Sunday they rested but i took time to do medications in some very poor and needy areas. With a blink of an eye a box full of kids pain and fever medication was all gone. I felt so guilty for not meeting all their needs so i promised the rest that more will come later. At the other end of this small village a group of kids were struggling over a little pot of left over rice in a small pot. One of them almost ate the pot licking and licking and there was nothing in it. An old lady tending to these kids said please bring us rice........

Monday was another long day with more work done. At this point, seems as if we need more concrete to finish all the walls and floors before we think of the ceiling, doors and windows before painting is done.
More people mostly villagers just cant wait to see this done as they kept stopping every moment to say hello and thanks to the workers. Pa Foday like Fr. Hicks patient enough to answer to every question.

Even though I exhausted my self enough, i was happy to make this trip and indeed it was a successful one and the contractor said they will finish the building supplies on friday and will wait till more money comes in to finish the other parts.
Before closing this one, two issues were of interest to me. I noticed more crowded vehicles due to the recent fuel increase making it very dangerous to travel for those who cant meet a comfortable ride and the of cause mangoes taking the place of rice every where but this wont be too long before the struggle begins again.

I look forward to make another trip as soon as more money comes in to finish this school work. Thanks to you all for your relentless support so far.
God bless you all.