Building Progress Update

Phebian and her Sierra Leone team have been working hard every day building the clinic structure.  The community continues to show their love and support for this mission in a variety of ways.  Phebian has more than enough help.  She's had to take frequent trips to Freetown (the capital of Sierra Leone) in order to get more building supplies and materials.  The walls are up on the structure.  Due to a poor internet connection, Phebian has been unable to send us updated pictures even though she's been taking them diligently.

Mr. Paul Violanti, a Nurse Practitioner and the head of the Global Health Outreach committee will be taking a trip to Sierra Leone from February 21-28.  His main mission while there will be to meet with Sierra Leonean leaders about our project and to enhance those relationships.  He will also check on the building process to make sure it's going as intended and originally planned.  He will also confirm our NGO status while there.  Please keep him in prayer as he travels and please pray for a fruitful time in while in Sierra Leone. Thank you!

Community Needs

The villages within the Kono district of Sierra Leone were the hardest hit by the rebels during the horrific war. This is because of the diamond mine that is central to this area located in Koidu, the largest town within the district. There is not a village or person who was not affected by the war and the community is still trying to recover and rebuild. As a result, the villages lack adequate clean water and proper sanitation. Villagers often bath, wash clothes, use the bathroom in, and drink from the same water source such as a small stream or nearby pond. A village may have a well or two but it is often not deep enough so it goes dry for half of the year. Sometimes, they may have to walk a mile or more to access the nearest well or water source. There are latrines in each village that are often shared by 30+ people and end up caving in because they are built wrong or are overflowing. There is no systematic garbage disposal so garbage is dumped anywhere and everywhere. The community needs are clear and we plan on helping in these areas moving forward.  Lack of clean water and proper sanitation is a huge problem within the Kono District of Sierra Leone. 

A ground well with water used for cooking and doing laundry.

A stream with water used for just about anything.

A pump well with water used for drinking and cooking.

The People of Sierra Leone

The people of Sierra Leone are absolutely beautiful and extremely welcoming. Even though there is a general sense of hopelessness in the country, the people were genuinely grateful and generous. This combination of attributes is truly amazing. That despite their poverty and need, the people can smile, laugh, give, and welcome with open arms. This is the welcome received when the team arrived in Tefaya Village during the October 2013 trip: Warm Welcome in Tefaya Village.

Life is hard in Sierra Leone. Things like getting water, making food, walking to the nearest village, and washing clothes are an all day affair. The things we likely take for granted in the United States were genuinely challenging there. This dichotomy should cause self reflection and a fresh appreciation for what we have. We are truly blessed in the United States. It should also gave us a greater love for the people and country of Sierra Leone, and definitely confirms our mission to help them.

Guilt can not motivate us enough to act but love can.  It is with God's love we are called to action. 

A group of children in Kangama Village.

A young child on her mother's back.

Just walking by in Koidu town.

The Natural Beauty of Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is full of natural beauty with the green landscape filled with palm trees and other vegetation. The sky is always a true sky blue filled with the bright yellow sun unless a rain storm is coming. The rain clouds develop quickly, release the rain for a half hour, and then disappear as fast as they came. The soil is a rich brown color that contrasts with the green plant life. The coast has a white sand beach with the deep blue ocean crashing upon the shoreline. There are gray mountains that stand tall in the distance. The entire country is absolutely beautiful. The sunsets are glorious every single night with red, pink, orange, yellow and purple filling the sky. It is as if God is saying every night, “Here I am, I have not forgotten this country.” Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (NIV).

The dirt road leading to the Kono District.

A Rice Field.

A Beautiful Sunset.