On November 14th Rev Brenda Etheridge and I traveled to Sierra Leone on a month long mission trip. We were assigned to the Christian Council of churches of Sierra Leone. Prior to this trip in consultation with Global Ministries and Kezi Kargbo General Secretary of the Council of Churches it was decided that I would bring equipment to teach crafts and conduct human trafficking awareness training. Rather than just bringing supplies or gifts we would teach a sustainable skill. We were also informed that there was a great need for school supplies. Through some fundraising efforts we were able to raise $2600.00 for the school supplies.
Upon arrival at the airport that is on an island in Sierra Leone we were met by Elizabeth Yambasu who guided us through the process of getting a water transport to Freetown and getting us to our accommodates. Elizabeth was also our companion during our entire trip offering assistance and translation services. A great big thank you to Elizabeth for her friendship and assistance.
On our first day we met with Ms. Karbgo and the vendor to secure the school supplies. We were able to purchase enough for 100 children. Ms. Karbgo decided we would distribute the supplies to 10 of the neediest children at each school. This was to avoid having all of the supplies in one place where there would be a chance of the supplies being sold. Distributing supplies to only 10 children at a school with 250 children who were all in need was extremely difficult. The obvious need for more was overwhelming. But I was glad we were able to provide what we could.
Our schedule called for us to be in the capital of Freetown for a week, in the rural area of Kabala for two weeks, in Mekini for two days and back in Freetown for a week before going back home.
Everywhere we went the people were friendly, welcoming, and hospitable. In many places we were warmly greeted with singing and dancing.
During our time there we conducted several craft classes. I taught beaded jewelry making and fused glass art. Brenda taught how to make yarn out of plastic bags to crochet bags. The response to all of our classes was enthusiastic and exciting. Using supplies available locally the ladies can continue making the craft items. Since my return I have been informed that the ladies have continued making jewelry are selling some of their products. I was extremely happy to hear this.
In Kabala we were guest speakers on two radio broadcast giving information on human trafficking, child marriages, Gender based violence and female genital mutation. All of these issues are major problems in Sierra Leone . Even though laws have been enacted to make all of these activities illegal they are still widely practiced in the country especially in the rural area.
Prior to going to Kabala the General Secretary asked me to include the cultural practice of Mhen Pikin in my human trafficking presentations. I learned that culturally it was common for a relative or a friend to offer to serve as a foster parent to a child to provide a better life and to send the child to school. For many years this practice has worked well and still does for the benefit of the children of poor communities. However traffickers and cruel and greedy persons are taking advantage of this practice and abusing the children in their care. In most cases the children are not sent to school, they are starved, made to work in dangerous jobs, made to work as prostitutes, made to beg or steal on the streets in an urban area or sold to traffickers in another country. Traffickers target poor families in the rural areas. As I researched this practice and spoke with families I was appalled to learn that more than 30% of the children in Sierra Leone are being victimized by this form of human trafficking. Some parents never see their children again. One lady told us she had not seen or heard from her child in over two years. Another woman told us that she would call to check on her child and was never allowed to talk to her child. There is a huge need for education on what is going on. Regulations are also need to stop the traffickers and people with bad intentions from taking advantage of the children.
The Christian Reformed Church operates the Church Extension Services in Kabala. The CES operates a vocational training center, teaching entrepreneur skills to young people. They also assist communities establish micro loan business and farming cooperatives. Brenda and I were part of a team including officers from CES and the government office on Gender and Children’s Affairs that went out to the communities in the rural areas to conduct educational sessions on gender based violence, human trafficking, child marriages, female genital mutation, and the legal rights of women. It was during these sessions that we discovered how widespread the problems were. There is a great need for advocacy and training in these areas.
I discovered again the overwhelming hospitality of Gods people. I learned about their culture and challenges. About their unshakable faith in God and the faithful ministry of people living in poverty. About their ability to suffer hardships, to survive, to thrive and to help others. I was blessed and humbled by the experiences. I want to thank Global Ministries of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ for making the opportunities to serve God’s people around the world.
Specifically, I want to thank LaMarco Cable, Co-Executive and CEO, Kahala Cannon, Global Relations Minister Africa, and Ricky McCray Training Coordinator for their tireless work to make this trip possible. May God continue to bless all of us to be a blessing to others. And above all else I pray for the children of Sierra Leone.
Respectfully submitted by
Elder LaVerne Thorpe
Elder Thorpe is available to speak to local congregations and at District Meetings. Contact ccio@ccinoh.org to learn how to arrange this.