The Little Mermaid finds a home in Kabala

A lady, Arlene Rogers, at Grace Church found a used “Little Mermaid” doll at a yard sale and gave it to me to send to Sierra Leone in hopes of NHA giving it to a little girl who didn’t have a doll. Well, shipping items like that can be cost prohibitive and I must send only things that are vitally necessary. But there are ways from time to time to send in “little extras”. In this case the soft hair and bendable body of the doll enabled me to use it as packing material to stabilize some medication bottles and the soft hair to protect other items from cracking in shipping. Roo, growing up in a family where giving to others is a way of life, knew immediately he was to give away the doll. But some how he had grown accustom to it. Being obedient, he carried it all the way from Freetown to Kabala to introduce it to its new owner. He carried it up to the school…

He started to walk out to where the children were lining up in hopes of finding its new owner.

He became a little unsure…maybe the doll might want to stay with him? He continued to look back at Kadijah for that reassuring nod that might indicate he could keep the doll.

It didn’t come. So Roo went down and stood in line with the other kids.

They were all looking at the doll. And the girls, wow, the girls were giving him some hard looks!

He stood his ground and pondered the whole situation.

“What should he do?”, he wondered. And then he bumped into a little girl
and without a second thought he knew he had met the rightful owner to care for The Little Mermaid.

Posted in Lazarus Sierra Leone salone Outreach, Little Mermaid, Roo | Leave a comment

The Little Mermaid finds a home in Kabala

A lady, Arlene Rogers, at Grace Church found a used “Little Mermaid” doll at a yard sale and gave it to me to send to Sierra Leone in hopes of NHA giving it to a little girl who didn’t have a doll. Well, shipping items like that can be cost prohibitive and I must send only things that are vitally necessary. But there are ways from time to time to send in “little extras”. In this case the soft hair and bendable body of the doll enabled me to use it as packing material to stabilize some medication bottles and the soft hair to protect other items from cracking in shipping. Roo, growing up in a family where giving to others is a way of life, knew immediately he was to give away the doll. But some how he had grown accustom to it. Being obedient, he carried it all the way from Freetown to Kabala to introduce it to its new owner. He carried it up to the school…

He started to walk out to where the children were lining up in hopes of finding its new owner.

He became a little unsure…maybe the doll might want to stay with him? He continued to look back at Kadijah for that reassuring nod that might indicate he could keep the doll.

It didn’t come. So Roo went down and stood in line with the other kids.

They were all looking at the doll. And the girls, wow, the girls were giving him some hard looks!

He stood his ground and pondered the whole situation.

“What should he do?”, he wondered. And then he bumped into a little girl
and without a second thought he knew he had met the rightful owner to care for The Little Mermaid.

Posted in Lazarus Sierra Leone salone Outreach, Little Mermaid, Roo | Leave a comment

NHA Kabala School Completes its first School Year!

Report from James Mansaray: Freetown, Sierra Leone

At the end of June, the Nazareth House Apostolate School in Kabala began closing down their educational activities for the year.

The last two weeks in July were all so busy with NHA school kids wrapping up their final exams as our devoted teachers calculating the final marks, compiling the final results of a successful school year. We can hardly believe one whole year in our new school building has been accomplished.

We’ve made a big mark this first year, giving the once unfortunate kids, the hope for a real education in a nice environment.

Thanks to all those who contributed

in making this a possibility. These photos show only a tiny handful of all of those who made it possible. (To see many more of them view the link on the right that says “Our Sponsors”)

It was a must for me to be there representing Mama Vicki and Fr. Hicks who could not always afford it to witness such functions.

Lucy and Ann Marie just ended their school years so it was perfect timing for them to come with me so that they, too, could help do some voluntary job.

(Roo is excited to see his grandpa Pa Foday)

ROO said he too won’t be left behind on this trip and promise not to get ill this time round. This gave the opportunity for the whole St. Laurence House family

to make the long trip to Kabala late that evening.

I had to drive and must be very careful. Freetown to Makeni was easy followed by the rough and rainy drive from Makeni to Kabala. Two stops: one to greet our friends at the one hut village to give them supplies and another at Fadugu where the car’s battery died. All had to push for me to kick start the car again and we never stopped again until we reached Kabala late that night. It was fun though and worth it not to have stopped and risked the battery dying again. None of us will love to sleep in that forest or the dark highway.

It was all work the following day at the NHA school. Parents and kids all ready to receive the schools years reward.

Thanks to Mako one of our able teachers and his staff for arranging this well.

I was there doing the big man’s role documenting this event with tears in my eyes. The idea that we have this school is so wonderful and makes me emotional.

Lucy, Ann Marie, Kadijah and even ROO

all busy handing out results to the kids

and their parents as they walked to the high table packed with their school files.

Parents happy and amazed seeing their kids making the next level.

More kids coming in to see if they could be admitted seeing our progress. Once the compound is a reality and we can rest that we won’t be living on the streets with no home for our supplies for the poor, then we might be able to think about expanding the school for more kids to attend. Everyone deserves an education.

The whole ceremony was crowned

with an end of year school party for this kids later on that evening. We’ll talk about that in the next few blogs.

Once more thanks to you all for making this possible. See your money and prayers at work……………… Keep it going…

God bless you all. James.

Posted in Education in Kabala, Nazareth house kabala school | Leave a comment

NHA Kabala School Completes its first School Year!


Report from James Mansaray: Freetown, Sierra Leone

At the end of June, the Nazareth House Apostolate School in Kabala began closing down their educational activities for the year.

The last two weeks in July were all so busy with NHA school kids wrapping up their final exams as our devoted teachers calculating the final marks, compiling the final results of a successful school year. We can hardly believe one whole year in our new school building has been accomplished.

We’ve made a big mark this first year, giving the once unfortunate kids, the hope for a real education in a nice environment.

Thanks to all those who contributed

in making this a possibility. These photos show only a tiny handful of all of those who made it possible. (To see many more of them view the link on the right that says “Our Sponsors”)

It was a must for me to be there representing Mama Vicki and Fr. Hicks who could not always afford it to witness such functions.

Lucy and Ann Marie just ended their school years so it was perfect timing for them to come with me so that they, too, could help do some voluntary job.

(Roo is excited to see his grandpa Pa Foday)

ROO said he too won’t be left behind on this trip and promise not to get ill this time round. This gave the opportunity for the whole St. Laurence House family

to make the long trip to Kabala late that evening.

I had to drive and must be very careful. Freetown to Makeni was easy followed by the rough and rainy drive from Makeni to Kabala. Two stops: one to greet our friends at the one hut village to give them supplies and another at Fadugu where the car’s battery died. All had to push for me to kick start the car again and we never stopped again until we reached Kabala late that night. It was fun though and worth it not to have stopped and risked the battery dying again. None of us will love to sleep in that forest or the dark highway.

It was all work the following day at the NHA school. Parents and kids all ready to receive the schools years reward.

Thanks to Mako one of our able teachers and his staff for arranging this well.

I was there doing the big man’s role documenting this event with tears in my eyes. The idea that we have this school is so wonderful and makes me emotional.

Lucy, Ann Marie, Kadijah and even ROO

all busy handing out results to the kids

and their parents as they walked to the high table packed with their school files.

Parents happy and amazed seeing their kids making the next level.

More kids coming in to see if they could be admitted seeing our progress. Once the compound is a reality and we can rest that we won’t be living on the streets with no home for our supplies for the poor, then we might be able to think about expanding the school for more kids to attend. Everyone deserves an education.

The whole ceremony was crowned

with an end of year school party for this kids later on that evening. We’ll talk about that in the next few blogs.

Once more thanks to you all for making this possible. See your money and prayers at work……………… Keep it going…

God bless you all. James.

Posted in Education in Kabala, Nazareth house kabala school | Leave a comment

NHA Kabala School Completes its first School Year!


Report from James Mansaray: Freetown, Sierra Leone

At the end of June, the Nazareth House Apostolate School in Kabala began closing down their educational activities for the year.

The last two weeks in July were all so busy with NHA school kids wrapping up their final exams as our devoted teachers calculating the final marks, compiling the final results of a successful school year. We can hardly believe one whole year in our new school building has been accomplished.

We’ve made a big mark this first year, giving the once unfortunate kids, the hope for a real education in a nice environment.

Thanks to all those who contributed

in making this a possibility. These photos show only a tiny handful of all of those who made it possible. (To see many more of them view the link on the right that says “Our Sponsors”)

It was a must for me to be there representing Mama Vicki and Fr. Hicks who could not always afford it to witness such functions.

Lucy and Ann Marie just ended their school years so it was perfect timing for them to come with me so that they, too, could help do some voluntary job.

(Roo is excited to see his grandpa Pa Foday)

ROO said he too won’t be left behind on this trip and promise not to get ill this time round. This gave the opportunity for the whole St. Laurence House family

to make the long trip to Kabala late that evening.

I had to drive and must be very careful. Freetown to Makeni was easy followed by the rough and rainy drive from Makeni to Kabala. Two stops: one to greet our friends at the one hut village to give them supplies and another at Fadugu where the car’s battery died. All had to push for me to kick start the car again and we never stopped again until we reached Kabala late that night. It was fun though and worth it not to have stopped and risked the battery dying again. None of us will love to sleep in that forest or the dark highway.

It was all work the following day at the NHA school. Parents and kids all ready to receive the schools years reward.

Thanks to Mako one of our able teachers and his staff for arranging this well.

I was there doing the big man’s role documenting this event with tears in my eyes. The idea that we have this school is so wonderful and makes me emotional.

Lucy, Ann Marie, Kadijah and even ROO

all busy handing out results to the kids

and their parents as they walked to the high table packed with their school files.

Parents happy and amazed seeing their kids making the next level.

More kids coming in to see if they could be admitted seeing our progress. Once the compound is a reality and we can rest that we won’t be living on the streets with no home for our supplies for the poor, then we might be able to think about expanding the school for more kids to attend. Everyone deserves an education.

The whole ceremony was crowned

with an end of year school party for this kids later on that evening. We’ll talk about that in the next few blogs.

Once more thanks to you all for making this possible. See your money and prayers at work……………… Keep it going…

God bless you all. James.

Posted in Education in Kabala, Nazareth house kabala school | Leave a comment

NHA Kabala School Completes its first School Year!


Report from James Mansaray: Freetown, Sierra Leone

At the end of June, the Nazareth House Apostolate School in Kabala began closing down their educational activities for the year.

The last two weeks in July were all so busy with NHA school kids wrapping up their final exams as our devoted teachers calculating the final marks, compiling the final results of a successful school year. We can hardly believe one whole year in our new school building has been accomplished.

We’ve made a big mark this first year, giving the once unfortunate kids, the hope for a real education in a nice environment.

Thanks to all those who contributed

in making this a possibility. These photos show only a tiny handful of all of those who made it possible. (To see many more of them view the link on the right that says “Our Sponsors”)

It was a must for me to be there representing Mama Vicki and Fr. Hicks who could not always afford it to witness such functions.

Lucy and Ann Marie just ended their school years so it was perfect timing for them to come with me so that they, too, could help do some voluntary job.

(Roo is excited to see his grandpa Pa Foday)

ROO said he too won’t be left behind on this trip and promise not to get ill this time round. This gave the opportunity for the whole St. Laurence House family

to make the long trip to Kabala late that evening.

I had to drive and must be very careful. Freetown to Makeni was easy followed by the rough and rainy drive from Makeni to Kabala. Two stops: one to greet our friends at the one hut village to give them supplies and another at Fadugu where the car’s battery died. All had to push for me to kick start the car again and we never stopped again until we reached Kabala late that night. It was fun though and worth it not to have stopped and risked the battery dying again. None of us will love to sleep in that forest or the dark highway.

It was all work the following day at the NHA school. Parents and kids all ready to receive the schools years reward.

Thanks to Mako one of our able teachers and his staff for arranging this well.

I was there doing the big man’s role documenting this event with tears in my eyes. The idea that we have this school is so wonderful and makes me emotional.

Lucy, Ann Marie, Kadijah and even ROO

all busy handing out results to the kids

and their parents as they walked to the high table packed with their school files.

Parents happy and amazed seeing their kids making the next level.

More kids coming in to see if they could be admitted seeing our progress. Once the compound is a reality and we can rest that we won’t be living on the streets with no home for our supplies for the poor, then we might be able to think about expanding the school for more kids to attend. Everyone deserves an education.

The whole ceremony was crowned

with an end of year school party for this kids later on that evening. We’ll talk about that in the next few blogs.

Once more thanks to you all for making this possible. See your money and prayers at work……………… Keep it going…

God bless you all. James.

Posted in Education in Kabala, Nazareth house kabala school | Leave a comment

NHA Kabala School Completes its first School Year!


Report from James Mansaray: Freetown, Sierra Leone

At the end of June, the Nazareth House Apostolate School in Kabala began closing down their educational activities for the year.

The last two weeks in July were all so busy with NHA school kids wrapping up their final exams as our devoted teachers calculating the final marks, compiling the final results of a successful school year. We can hardly believe one whole year in our new school building has been accomplished.

We’ve made a big mark this first year, giving the once unfortunate kids, the hope for a real education in a nice environment.

Thanks to all those who contributed

in making this a possibility. These photos show only a tiny handful of all of those who made it possible. (To see many more of them view the link on the right that says “Our Sponsors”)

It was a must for me to be there representing Mama Vicki and Fr. Hicks who could not always afford it to witness such functions.

Lucy and Ann Marie just ended their school years so it was perfect timing for them to come with me so that they, too, could help do some voluntary job.

(Roo is excited to see his grandpa Pa Foday)

ROO said he too won’t be left behind on this trip and promise not to get ill this time round. This gave the opportunity for the whole St. Laurence House family

to make the long trip to Kabala late that evening.

I had to drive and must be very careful. Freetown to Makeni was easy followed by the rough and rainy drive from Makeni to Kabala. Two stops: one to greet our friends at the one hut village to give them supplies and another at Fadugu where the car’s battery died. All had to push for me to kick start the car again and we never stopped again until we reached Kabala late that night. It was fun though and worth it not to have stopped and risked the battery dying again. None of us will love to sleep in that forest or the dark highway.

It was all work the following day at the NHA school. Parents and kids all ready to receive the schools years reward.

Thanks to Mako one of our able teachers and his staff for arranging this well.

I was there doing the big man’s role documenting this event with tears in my eyes. The idea that we have this school is so wonderful and makes me emotional.

Lucy, Ann Marie, Kadijah and even ROO

all busy handing out results to the kids

and their parents as they walked to the high table packed with their school files.

Parents happy and amazed seeing their kids making the next level.

More kids coming in to see if they could be admitted seeing our progress. Once the compound is a reality and we can rest that we won’t be living on the streets with no home for our supplies for the poor, then we might be able to think about expanding the school for more kids to attend. Everyone deserves an education.

The whole ceremony was crowned

with an end of year school party for this kids later on that evening. We’ll talk about that in the next few blogs.

Once more thanks to you all for making this possible. See your money and prayers at work……………… Keep it going…

God bless you all. James.

Posted in Education in Kabala, Nazareth house kabala school | Leave a comment

Sierra Leone Medical Establishment doing great wonders with very little medical supplies.

Warning: Graphic Surgery Scenes
included in this blog post
Nazareth House Apostolate uses the photo talents of our staff to bring awareness to the world of the extreme needs in Sierra Leone. Pictures speak a thousand words.
We are made aware of the severe poverty, the unsightly conditions that make up everyday life in Sierra Leone.

Children eager for clean clothing wash their clothes in a stream, but the water is muddy.

Everyday is a struggle, hard work just to perform tasks that we in the West take for granted. We can toss a load of clothes into a washing machine and go sit at the computer and check our email while the clothes wash themselves. Not so in Salone.
Yesterday, James stumbled upon a situation that hung heavy on his heart, its that same old everyday struggle of proper medical attention…or shall we say lack of it!

This young man cut himself on a cutlass and required treatment immediately.

Being poor, and the facilities inadequate, he was given the best treatment possible by this nurse, right in the waiting room – no sterile environment, no sutures available…

We wanted to impress the severity of the absence of adequate surgical equipment (basic surgical equipment) so James photographed this procedure.
The boy was cared for by a loving medical professional using what she had, plus her great common sense. He will heal, scarred more than if sutures had been used, but he will heal.
Nazareth House will be making its next mission trip very soon. We have collected the much needed medical supplies for the clinics and hospitals and it is now time that we bring it to them. We can’t count on post or containers to arrive as safely and complete as if we walk it in.
We need your help in raising the funds for the travel (airflights $4,000 needed for two adults at current airfare prices) and $6,000 for on the ground needs.

That is, the emergency needs we come upon as we travel through the country such as fixing a leaking roof on a home, hospital fees for ill patients unable to go to hospital without our help, bags of rice for families starving, etc. etc.

Please give what you can and invite others to join in this worthy cause. You are making a difference and you are able to see that difference in the pictures that NHA provides to document the mission.
How many people are able to wake up in the morning and say “wow, look at the lives I helped change today” ? Through Nazareth House you can honestly make that statement, day after day. Please help.
Donations can be given through the website paypal link at www.nazarethhouseap.org
or mailed to
NHA
2216 Goldsmith Lane
Louisville, KY 40218
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Sierra Leone Medical Establishment doing great wonders with very little medical supplies.



Warning: Graphic Surgery Scenes
included in this blog post
Nazareth House Apostolate uses the photo talents of our staff to bring awareness to the world of the extreme needs in Sierra Leone. Pictures speak a thousand words.
We are made aware of the severe poverty, the unsightly conditions that make up everyday life in Sierra Leone.

Children eager for clean clothing wash their clothes in a stream, but the water is muddy.

Everyday is a struggle, hard work just to perform tasks that we in the West take for granted. We can toss a load of clothes into a washing machine and go sit at the computer and check our email while the clothes wash themselves. Not so in Salone.
Yesterday, James stumbled upon a situation that hung heavy on his heart, its that same old everyday struggle of proper medical attention…or shall we say lack of it!

This young man cut himself on a cutlass and required treatment immediately.

Being poor, and the facilities inadequate, he was given the best treatment possible by this nurse, right in the waiting room – no sterile environment, no sutures available…

We wanted to impress the severity of the absence of adequate surgical equipment (basic surgical equipment) so James photographed this procedure.
The boy was cared for by a loving medical professional using what she had, plus her great common sense. He will heal, scarred more than if sutures had been used, but he will heal.
Nazareth House will be making its next mission trip very soon. We have collected the much needed medical supplies for the clinics and hospitals and it is now time that we bring it to them. We can’t count on post or containers to arrive as safely and complete as if we walk it in.
We need your help in raising the funds for the travel (airflights $4,000 needed for two adults at current airfare prices) and $6,000 for on the ground needs.

That is, the emergency needs we come upon as we travel through the country such as fixing a leaking roof on a home, hospital fees for ill patients unable to go to hospital without our help, bags of rice for families starving, etc. etc.

Please give what you can and invite others to join in this worthy cause. You are making a difference and you are able to see that difference in the pictures that NHA provides to document the mission.
How many people are able to wake up in the morning and say “wow, look at the lives I helped change today” ? Through Nazareth House you can honestly make that statement, day after day. Please help.
Donations can be given through the website paypal link at www.nazarethhouseap.org
or mailed to
NHA
2216 Goldsmith Lane
Louisville, KY 40218











Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Sierra Leone Medical Establishment doing great wonders with very little medical supplies.



Warning: Graphic Surgery Scenes
included in this blog post
Nazareth House Apostolate uses the photo talents of our staff to bring awareness to the world of the extreme needs in Sierra Leone. Pictures speak a thousand words.
We are made aware of the severe poverty, the unsightly conditions that make up everyday life in Sierra Leone.

Children eager for clean clothing wash their clothes in a stream, but the water is muddy.

Everyday is a struggle, hard work just to perform tasks that we in the West take for granted. We can toss a load of clothes into a washing machine and go sit at the computer and check our email while the clothes wash themselves. Not so in Salone.
Yesterday, James stumbled upon a situation that hung heavy on his heart, its that same old everyday struggle of proper medical attention…or shall we say lack of it!

This young man cut himself on a cutlass and required treatment immediately.

Being poor, and the facilities inadequate, he was given the best treatment possible by this nurse, right in the waiting room – no sterile environment, no sutures available…

We wanted to impress the severity of the absence of adequate surgical equipment (basic surgical equipment) so James photographed this procedure.
The boy was cared for by a loving medical professional using what she had, plus her great common sense. He will heal, scarred more than if sutures had been used, but he will heal.
Nazareth House will be making its next mission trip very soon. We have collected the much needed medical supplies for the clinics and hospitals and it is now time that we bring it to them. We can’t count on post or containers to arrive as safely and complete as if we walk it in.
We need your help in raising the funds for the travel (airflights $4,000 needed for two adults at current airfare prices) and $6,000 for on the ground needs.

That is, the emergency needs we come upon as we travel through the country such as fixing a leaking roof on a home, hospital fees for ill patients unable to go to hospital without our help, bags of rice for families starving, etc. etc.

Please give what you can and invite others to join in this worthy cause. You are making a difference and you are able to see that difference in the pictures that NHA provides to document the mission.
How many people are able to wake up in the morning and say “wow, look at the lives I helped change today” ? Through Nazareth House you can honestly make that statement, day after day. Please help.
Donations can be given through the website paypal link at www.nazarethhouseap.org
or mailed to
NHA
2216 Goldsmith Lane
Louisville, KY 40218











Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment