Shipping notice

After the previous Blog Post, NHA received a lot of offers to send us supplies for the school (pencils, notebooks). We appreciate the consideration but we must ask you to refrain from the urge to donate items that require shipment to Sierra Leone.

Shipping to Sierra Leone is extremely cost prohibitive and NHA only sends items that are of most need. To date, the most productive form of shipping for us is to mail via USPS priority flat-rate boxes. However, each box is allowed a 20 pound limit and cost $55. Many times the medical tubing, syringes, etc are very light and since we are allowed 20 pounds - we cram in other items such as foil tuna packets, etc. However, each box is carefully thought out and only the most needed items are sent. So as to not waste space or poundage, we creatively use small articles of clothing, bandaids, candy for the school kids, etc as packing material. This keeps the medications safely in place during the postal journey and provides a treat for the recipients.

The best way to help NHA is to contribute financially. As you can see by the previous post we are able to purchase items in Freetown for the school, etc. Sometimes the items are higher in price than what we would find in America, but still very much cheaper than adding the overseas shipping cost of purchasing in USA and mailing to Freetown. Another plus for buying in Freetown is that it stimulates the local economy and provides for the merchants making a living.

Over-the-counter medications are not so easy to obtain in Sierra Leone and very outrageously priced. Therefore, from time to time we will make a special request for medications to be sent. We will inform you when the stock becomes low and we must restock. Until then we ask you to continue making your donations in the form of a financial gift. Thank you.

Supplies for the NHA Kabala School

Photo: Roo surrounded by supplies for the NHA Kabala School

Our Nazareth House Apostolate Kabala School opens another school year this week. It will be the second year in the building provided by the compassionate donors of NHA.

James points out what your generosity has provided for the NHA Kabala School

The need for supplies for the school are always in demand and we do what we can with what we have available.

Kadijah and Roo sort the supplies for NHA Kabala School

We pray that as our support list grows so that our help to the school will also grow. But for now, we are happy to provide these few items as often as possible.
We are aware that the uniforms we provided last year are tattered and fading, but the kids are making do. We have committed to the school, to hang in there with them until they become self-sufficient. We must keep up with our obligations to them. It is our hope that by some miracle the compound will be provided and we can give more attention to the needs of the school. There is so much to do. The compound remains our first and most important goal -for without it, our existence in Sierra Leone becomes very limited.

Roo Enjoys His First Day of School

Monday was a day of mourning for Nazareth House Apostolate, in respect for those who died in the ferry sinking and for the oldest man in Kabala, Pa Starke. However, another event played out on Monday, September 14th.

Because of the generosity of those who know and understand the importance of a good education: ROO WAS ABLE TO START SCHOOL, ON TIME WITH HIS FEES PAID! Thank you so much for making this possible.
Roo sends his greetings as he begins his day, playfully exploring his new look in his new uniform.

Wow, big pockets, what more could a boy ask for in a pair of shorts? "With these pockets I can hide a frog and bring it home and scare mum and sisters!"

...and then mum gets the backpack and Roo realizes he is going to be away from her today in a big building with people he doesn't know. He doesn't like the idea of being away from his mama.

He becomes a little apprehensive......

but papa has his camera out and makes things fun. Roo decides the day will be alright after all.
Big sister, Lucy, who doesn't start her school year until next week, walks Roo to his destination.Roo meets and greets his friends at the Dyclar Internet Cafe and the day looks very promising. Excitement is in the air. They continue on down the way to reach the school.
Oops, then we arrive at our destination. Roo looks back at his papa thinking "maybe I don't want to do this..." There are kids everywhere, BIG kids. No mum, no papa, no sisters , only people Roo doesn't know... Uneasiness sets in. Big sister lovingly escorts Roo into the building, he settles into the classroom. His day begins.

At the end of the day, Roo's decides it was a very good day and he likes school. He is most thankful, NHA is most thankful, James & Kadijah are most thankful that you all pooled together again to provide Roo with the a gift that will carry him throughout his lifetime. A gift that keeps gifting...

Let's work together to provide it for more and more children. Education is the gift of life, a better life.

www.nazarethhouseap.org

Oldest Man in Kabala, Sierra Leone passes on leaving long legacy.

Written by James Mansaray, Freetown, Sierra Leone

As we all await the Lord’s final call one day, it is true according to the Biblical words that it is appointed for man to die and onto judgment..........This time round, the lot falls on our oldest in Kabala, a grandfather to many, a noble role model, custodian and Father of the Wara Wara Mountains, Justice of the peace, longest serving dispenser, master farmer of Koinadudu, the Honourable Pa Daniel M. Starke who finally lay to rest last night at his resident at Gbawuria at the tender age of one hundred and something something. ............. some say 110?

All we know is that he was over a hundred years old and many who had waited out his death have long since gone before him. Now has come his honorable and peaceful transformation to the next side of life.

Thanks to Mr. Kondowulay Paygay Mansaray, a great friend of mine (one of the best in my opinion and youngest aspirants for the local Chieftaincy Paramount Chief Post (to be held soon) for passing the message to me last night. He always helps me out with works at the NHA school, lending me his truck or whatever he can.

(Fr. Seraphim, Mama Vicki & Paygay at NHA Kabala School)

Kondowulay Paygay Mansaray was with the old man, Pa Starke as he dropped the body. He held him as he passed on.

Luckily forPa Starke, my usual NHA trips to Kabala prompted me to visit him in his house, escorted by one of his best son Bayo Mansaray. I was there to take his very last photographs. In a picture Memunatu Jalloh greeted the old man seeing him still happy and healthy.

He was a mentor to my father, the Rev. Foday Mansaray and more than a father to the whole nation. All will miss the good man.

I, for one, on behalf of our students and teachers at Nazareh House Apostolate School in Kabala, will never forget his vibrant support and encouraging words when we started the NHA school construction along the Ismaia Road Kabala Town.

MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE.

Monday a National Day of Mourning in Sierra Leone

From the last count I've been able to read in reports of the ferry disaster: 120 have been buried. It has been said that many of the bodies found have been buried in Mass Graves because of the advanced state of decomposing. Many more bodies have yet to be discovered and they may end up floating into local streams and rivers.

The surveillance patrol of the Sierra Leone Navy continues the search for the victims.

Sierra Leone's President Ernest Koroma declared Monday to be a National Day of Mourning. It seems fitting since it is a Holy Day of the Cross on our religious calendar. September 14th, The Exaltation of the Cross. I've always wondered about the "exaltation" thinking rather it should be a Holy Day of remembrance of BEARING the Cross. I understand the victory won on the Cross, and certainly this should be exalted but there is another dimension of the carrying of the Cross. Certainly, the people of Sierra Leone bear the cross more than most.

The President said that citizens should consider wearing black armbands and flags will be at half mast.

Those that survived said the ferry transported goods and passengers which included many children. They say it overturned and sank within in minutes.

Survivors also stated that rescue operations were delayed and medical supplies were not enough to treat the 37 who survived. It is estimated there were 268-300 on board.

It is reported that nearly 10 hours passed before the first rescue mission was launched.

I have ridden on the ferry into Freetown. As you can see by the concern on Fr. my face... I was not happy with the situation in which I found myself. My concerns were with the overloading of the ferry and the general condition of the boat. I just wanted to get to the other side, to get off the boat.

I read that the harbour master of the town of Tombo, Samuel Bangura, said all vessels had been grounded along the coast and a thorough inspection would be carried out before boats may set sail again. I applaud this and hope that the inspection is complete and uninhibited.

Aware that the nation of Sierra Leone is in the recovery mode, I know the many struggles they have. It is not easy, no matter who is in charge, to pull a nation out of such a dire straights. We must pray for the people, its leaders, everyone of this country and those who deal with Salone from other countries. There have been many improvements and more are on the way, we must use every obstacle to learn and grow, learning from our mistakes in order to bring about a brighter future, working together for the better. To this end we must pray.

On Monday, Nazareth House will mourn the loss, and we pray that these dear people did not die in vain. I can only hope that this tragedy, like so many tragedies, will rise from the ashes of adversity and bring about the change needed so that something like this doesn't happen again.

Orphaned Newborn Twins

By James Mansaray: Freetown, Sierra Leone

In present day Sierra Leone the word "HARDSHIP" is in the ears of every man and woman, both young and old. The reality of this hardship comes to full blown life in the idea of bearing twins. Giving birth to twins has always been a rare issue, but when it happens it means moreof the energy, stress and money needed to raise a single kid, now the struggles of raising a family is doubled.

Several weeks back, right on this blog, we told a story of two beautiful male twins born to mother Dusu. It was on that report that Mama Vicki stressed the need of helping these helpless and poor mothers who carrying a gift from God within them had no choice but to get caught in the web of inappropriate medical facilities, and in an environment where the needs are great but little or nothing at hand to go with.

Now, take this story of these new born twins, who tragically lost the mother just after a struggling birth at this same small health centre at Heremakono village where mother Dusu was. It is scary enough in this country to give birth to one baby, let alone two.

Kumba Kamara of Makakura village lost so much blood during labour and died few hours later leaving her newborns behind. The twins (a boy and a girl) presently hospitalised at the Kabala Government hospital awaiting help from anywhere.

The twins now in the hands of Aunty Yamana Marah face the challenge of surviving it..... This can only be made possible with our helping hands. Unfortunately, theiradopted mother cant breast feed them and the type of formula they can afford brings nothing but diarrhea.

According to this lady tending to them, they have last lost so much weight due to lack of food and her fear is they do not have the fight within them to keep life going.

Majority of the average families here will tell you that preference is one baby at a time but it’s all depends to what the Good Lord has in store for you. We always see and hear desperate barren couples praying for a baby day in and day out, when some especially amongst the poorest of the poor, are bringing them into the world in twos and threes’ whenever they visit the labour room. Life, at whatever multiples it arrives in is a beautiful gift from God. We must be there to welcome it and provide what it needs, especially if the mother is unable. I don't know why I always see twins and triplets in the hands of the very poor, I just know that God knows and God sees.

Sometime back on this blog we talked of a poor girl giving birth to three babies at once. Unfortunately she has moved on to the up country and we have lost track of her. I pray those kids are doing well.

You can help today by donating to NHA so that we can help meet some of these desperate needs. The truth is, most of these stories are here hidden and untold and I most times find myself in the midst of it. It is our way at Nazareth House, to be there in the midst of "tight spots" calling in the Name of the Lord. Being there in prayer and body to love one way or the other, helping in our own little way. Please give today and help save lives.

One way to help out is to give to NHA to buy pills that make the worms go away. Everyone here gets worms, no matter how clean you get yourself. The conditions just are bad to make it a common thing for us. We are hoping to cure at least 100 people from these parasites. One pill is $3 and it takes 6 to cure someone of a bad case of worms. That is $18 per person.

Another way to help is to give what Mama Vicki calls "on-the-ground" money so that when they are here they can take care of what they find in need. It could be feeding a family, repairing a home to keep rains out, providing medical needs... whatever they find, we want to be able to help out.

Consider your donation in prayers and send to

NHA

2216 Goldsmith Lane

Louisville, KY 40218

or through the paypal donation link on our website www.nazarethhouseap.org

Also, please keep all those who lost their lives when the ferry sunk yesterday. So sad, it has been determined it was because of overloading of the boat. This is always how it is and with no efficient equipment for rescues or life boats and life jackets...you take your life in hands on a ferry here. Please pray for the families who lost their loved ones and for those that survived but are suffering from this tragedy. thank you

JAMES

The worms are "under pressure"

In reviewing the pictures James has sent me of the most recent boxes received from the post, I noticed that some of the Internal parasite (worm medication) from a box I thought was "lost" was in it. It contained worm medications for the whole St. Laurence House family and some of the neighbors in the area. Unfortunately, we still have not received the medication we sent for St. Mary's Orphanage. We are in the process of collecting funds to re-purchase more for the kids at the orphanage and I intend to walk them in..rather than using the post. If you would like to help save a child suffering from worms, the pills cost $3.00 per pill. It takes 6 pills to cure a child from this disease. So $18 cures a child.

In talking with James he confirmed that the medication intended for St. Laurence House treatment had indeed arrived! I am delighted. James said to me "We are all now working to become Worm-Free" ; Then he said "Our worms are now under pressure". As I laughed at this comment, I remember a time years ago when I was in Freetown. We had taken James and the family to a little Chinese restaurant along Lumley Beach. During the meal, Lucy was devouring tons of hot sauce, even eating it by itself. James, lovingly said to Lucy, "Lucy, your worms are going to be miserable tonight". Dealing with worms is such a common place to Sierra Leoneans that they begin to talk of them as you would an old friend. Something always with you. Roo has lost a lot of weight and was in desperate need of these pills. We are so thankful that they have now arrived and Roo will have completed his treatment by time you read this.

We have sent several shoes on ahead of the Container being sent by Maria Stianchie of One Love Foundation. The container is expected to set sail in a few weeks and arrive in October to the Freetown Port. I don't personally know if you have sent shoes to Maria through Nazareth House, but if you did, we thank you. I know Maria has already thanked you for your kindness. She tells me there was close to 3000 shoes that arrived. This is fantastic. I am hoping Fr. Seraphim and I are in town when the container arrives to help with the distribution.

We stuffed these boxes so well, cramming medicine inside shoes, sticking something in every available space of each box. I was amazed to see that 4 small boxes contained all that was on this table.

As our mission date approaches please continue your support. The needs are so great. Please consider giving today.

NHA
2216 Goldsmith Lane
Louisville, KY 40218