Sierra Leone

FAQS

How was your trip?

Loaded question. Hence the website devoted to answering that.

Where did you go?

To an orphanage in Moribatown, Sierra Leone (West Africa) called the Karen Baird Children’s Home.

Learn more about the home here.
Get the history of the home here

When did you go?

From October 22-October 31 2013.

No I did not wear a Halloween costume on the plane.

Who did you go with?

The trip was coordinated through a non-profit organization called the New Hope Initiative (you can learn more about them here). I was part of a team of 8 (three of whom (including myself) were from Grace Church in Stoughton, MA, and 5 of whom were from Grace Community Baptist Church in Beaumont, TX). Samesame name (Grace). Separate institutions. Samesame goal (the good of others and the glory of God).

<---the team
(minus Sandy[man]. He was taking the photo. (called "snap" in SL).

Where did you stay?

There is a mining compound about 10 minutes away from the orphanage, that has a residential campus for upper management. We stayed there.

How long did it take to get there?

About 19 hours plane time

An additional 8 or so hours of layover time

Plus about 6 hours of bus, boat, and car time to the orphanage.

(bus does not equal coach bus. Boat does not equal ferry. You’ll learn more later).

So from Stoughton to Sierra leone, its about 33-36 hours total.

What did you do there?

The work done on these trips is typically a combination of:
1.Maintenance (painting, cleaning, inspecting, fixing)

2. Care (treating illnesses, providing counseling, teaching public health awareness to children and staff)

<-----(this type of care was an added bonus. one of our team members was a nurse)

3. Assessment (to measure progress and determine where improvements are needed--medically, nutritionally, educationally, and spiritually.)

assessin'. . .

. . . oftentimes amidst utter chaos. looks much easier than it was.

4. Engagement (with the kids to restore hope and joy to their hearts, and with the surrounding community to demonstrate faith in action through service to others.)

But any work done here expands far beyond just the orphanage. Because it serves more than just the orphan population. Those from the surrounding village who come to obtain food or water are never turned away. In addition, the care the home provides for the children serves as a powerful demonstration of the very same love of Christ that the church seeks to convey to the community.

Given Pastor Francis’ (the director) commitment to meet the needs he sees and the role that his orphanage, church, and personal action plays in Moribatown, any assistance given ultimately serves to improve the entire community.

What’s it like there?

Another loaded question.

However, if I had a few words to describe:

The land itself?

Beautiful, jungly, green, open, mountainous