Family Visits and Resources

Hello again, Floris UMC from Bo Sierra Leone.

The week has launched with a lot of good work in process here from our HCW team and our partnership with the CRC (Child Reintegration Centre) and Mercy Hospital. The weekend allowed for some downtime for our team as well as for those who support us. There were some “family visits” where team members visited with families that they financially support through HCW’s program. These visits held much joy.

On Sunday, I preached at Centenary UMC for their annual “Youth Sunday” which was such a blessing to the whole team. The youth led us in music and dance, which they had planned with the preaching theme taken from 1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no one despise your youth…” We were welcomed with great hospitality and a sense of connection and unity.

In today’s work, we focused on two major projects and continued resourcing in the areas of diabetes management, IT/cybersecurity, and finance management systems.  I was a part of a large CPR/AED training session led by the doctor, nurse, and occupational safety management professional on our team. I was a coach for the session. The training was offered to hospital staff, midwives, and other local hospital affiliated professionals. Some of you may not know, but I had to perform lifesaving CPR on my husband about a year and a half ago when he collapsed in my church office. He was then saved with an AED. The training had such significance for me in helping people know what to do when a medical emergency occurs, whether at the hospital or in home settings. Those participating were deeply appreciative of the knowledge shared. Breakfast and lunch were also served. I’ve learned that many here are only able to eat once per day due to poverty, so nutrition with the training is another resource provided.

The other major ongoing project is the resourcing of local teachers in a collaborative training model using master teachers and our team member’s expertise. This will continue over the next couple days as best practices are shared among 50 teachers through the CRC. This is a highly engaged and committed group serving children locally.

I also had the opportunity to interview the case management supervisor at the CRC today. In doing so, I learned more about how families come into case management services and how those families are resourced based on their needs. The assessment process is collaborative with other local agencies. The needs range from housing, nutrition, and medical to job training and microfinancing to help the family become more self-sufficient. I heard transformative stories of families strengthening and children being nurtured with great care.

I hope that in reading these posts, you are keeping the people here and those ministering in Sierra Leone in your prayers. Learn more about HCW. [https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/]

Finally, please know our mission team and I have been greatly disturbed by the news of the shooting at the rally over the weekend. We are keeping President Trump, those who lost their family member, and others affected in our prayers. Violence should never be tolerated. Such actions will impede the work of our democracy. We must center ourselves as peacemakers in our society living in these times with the way of Christ Jesus. Read the special eNote message from Barbara, Daniel, and me that went out on Monday. [link to the letter to congregation]

-Gina