When I first heard about the opportunity to go to Sierra Leone, I had mixed feeling
Excitement and apprehension at the same rate.
Sierra Leone is known for the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and where Lassa fever still kill in a regular basis, and is the nation pivotal to end slave trade and above all a people loved by God.
As we prayed and seek God in how we could make a difference in that nation an idea based in Isaiah 61:10 came to mind, project garments of righteousness
Many people endorsed the idea and almost £3000 were raised to buy sewing machines to donate in Sierra Leone
The team arrived on the 21st of June, Emily, a trainee leader along with Kelsey and Laura coming from South Africa to meet Ana Claudia, a Brazilian nurse working in Kenema for an international NGO.
We came to bless the people, but the people blessed us in many ways. Pr Moses and Belvin, leads the church that hosted us in Kenema and they introduced us to their congregation and to their nation.
The next few days we were able to show God‘s love in a practical way.
They Introduced us to Abi a single mother of three who lives in a family compound without much hope. She is uneducated and can’t even write her name. She has the desire to give her children a better life, but without the means to it.
She was the first one to receive a sewing machine and she was delighted.
Immediately she started sewing pillow cases and making dresses, practising on the little that she knew about sewing. Her Gratitude filled our hearts with Thanksgiving.
By the time the team left the country 12 machines were donated in Kenema and Freetown, to people that with just a little help, had the chance to see lasting change in their lives.
There have already been some wonderful stories coming out of this initiative.
- Two of the women who received sewing machines made some beautiful dresses in August while we were on break for our summer camp. Kumba later told Gladys, one of the leaders, that she was able to sell the dresses and generate some income. She then used some of the proceeds to purchase additional materials so that she could continue sewing and selling more items.
- Another woman, Aminata, is using her sewing machine to make bags. She is selling the bags and using the proceeds to purchase food and take care of some of her basic needs. It is encouraging to see her using the skill and equipment she received to create a source of income for herself.
These may seem like small steps, but they are very meaningful. The machines are not simply pieces of equipment; they are giving these women an opportunity to develop practical skills, earn an income, and provide for some of their everyday needs.
