27/01/2017

News Letter January 2017

Bo Newsletter January 2017

 We have just got back from a self-funded visit to St Paul’s School to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the school and our involvement with it, giving some of the world’s poorest children a chance in life. It was an exciting and encouraging visit and we want to invite you to attend one of our free events where you can find out more about the project and the sponsored children, see the videos, talk to those who visited, and get a feel for the wonderfully positive atmosphere out there as the community puts the Ebola crisis behind it and plans for the future, a future in which we are an accepted part.

First off is a Songs of Praise service in West Wittering Church, 4pm on Sunday 29th January where we will celebrate the school’s 10 years and the visit, tell you about it and show you the pictures, and the collection will go to the school. The second is a reception with refreshments in the WW Memorial Hall’s Jubilee Room, 7-9pm on 25th February, again this is free but any donations will go to the school.

There is still much poverty and hardship out there, but also much hope for the future, and many many ways in which we can help them build that future and give their children the hope that for them and their families things will be brighter and better.  DSC00038       DSC00027                     sports day                                          head Solomon at the Memorial Hall

The visit was timed to coincide with the school sports and speech days and a thanksgiving service for the school which was held in the Cathedral church on the Sunday, following a four-hour ordination service in the morning, at which six new priests and one deacon were ordained, almost doubling the number of active Anglican priests in the Diocese of Bo. We were tirelessly hosted throughout by the Education Secretary, Edward Luseni; so were able to discuss and sieve through many issues as they arose. We also met head teacher Solomon Scot-Manga several times; the teachers including the now eleven unpaid teachers; and the scholarship committee who vet candidates for sponsorship. This latter committee work closely with the pupils families or guardians and impressed us greatly. We hope to involve them in sponsorships for further education and work place training schemes, one of which is being run by Edward Luseni for street traders, and others by the Mother’s Union. We spent a lot of time in the school which now has 728 pupils and at the sports days which were festive family events; colourful, competitive and celebratory. The speech day was more formal but still lively with the school brass band playing and a lot of singing. The standards the school has achieved are high and all are rightly proud of their achievements and of the school itself which now boasts an ‘Old Boys/girls Association’ which has its own smart navy blue uniform. While we were there the BECE (GCSE equivalent) results were published and St Paul’s achieved an exceptional 95% pass rate.

Everywhere we went we were welcomed warmly and effusive thanks were sent back with us to all the supporters and especially the folk of West Wittering, now the undisputed centre of the UK. Everyone has plans for the future and as we explored different avenues through which we might help the school and children, we encountered many other ideas which would be good for both school and community and especially the marginalized in society; orphans, Ebola victims, single parent and no-parent families, often also Ebola victims. Despite the poverty everyone was working to improve things rather than just accept the status quo. There was no hint of self-pity, just a determination to put the past behind them and, because we have a track record as a community which has stood by them through thick and thin, to include us in their plans wherever possible.

The Mother’s Union were at the centre of most schemes to help those in real need, providing care for Ebola Orphans, a pre-school nursery which allows single mums to get out and work, and on the job training for those seeking tailoring or hairdressing skills. Diocese-wide agricultural schemes were also part of their agenda. They have no money for any of the above and really work hand to mouth, teachers and helpers are paid only when money is available. They were presented with a banner commemorating their life-saving work during the Ebola crisis during the ordination service. The banner made by Judy Francis and given by Gerry Holben was dedicated by Bishop Jacques, Bishop of Guinea. To say the MU were delighted with it is an understatement. Every branch wanted it so they are going to make copies for each one.DSC00064      DSC00096

leaders of the Diocese-wide MU             pre-school for 70 from single-parent families

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presentation of the MU Banner                       speech day in the David Baker Hall

We want to tell you more and show you the videos and pictures so we hope to see you at one of the two events already mentioned. Details of them and the visit will appear shortly on our WEBSITE – www.slbsa.co.uk – stands for ‘sierra leone bo school appeal’ which is easier to remember. Usually our newsletters contain forms for sponsoring children but there is no room this time and anyway all the details and forms for this are also on the WEBSITE, so if you would like to give a disadvantaged child an education and a chance in life they wouldn’t otherwise have and can afford £5/month, please go to the website. Go to the website anyway as over time we will get all the details of the visit plus updates on events and sponsored children so you should find it interesting and up to date and at the same time get a real sense of achievement from the difference you are making in a poor community which once was without any support and had no hope of a better future.

Bruce Holben
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Cont… Bruce passed his findings onto the West Wittering Church and local people were determined to do something about the situation and in concert with the church in Bo made plans for a secondary school. In Bo, the church itself was starting to provide a secondary school in makeshift conditions, in underground, or crypt, rooms under the cathedral. They needed a purpose built facility to cope with the huge demand from the community for schooling.

The project took two years from starting to raise the funds to completion of the school buildings. The building had to be done in stages; as money was donated it was sent out to allow each phase of the construction work to be completed. The school buildings cost more than £30,000. The development comprises six classrooms and an administrative block.  Four hundred children were admitted straight away, many of them well over school age having had their education halted by the war. A party of 12 from our local area attended the official opening in 2008 when the school was named St Paul’s.

Sponsorship
It is now some ten years since St Paul’s opened and today the school provides a secondary education to more than 600 students. Of those, some 200 children who would otherwise not receive a secondary education are able to attend thanks to the support they receive from our sponsors here in the UK. Sponsorship is a major part of our efforts and is of growing importance. Each year, working with and taking advice from a small committee from the local community in Bo our aim is to increase, by 20 or so, the number of children we can help. This is dependent on us being able to find new sponsors each year and to replace existing sponsors who may, for one reason or another be unable to continue.

Capital and other projects
Building and similar projects are funded by fundraising and donations to our general fund. We collaborate with the school to assess their needs and develop the school’s fabric and longevity. Since 2008, we’ve funded storm drains, toilets, and more. Our most significant project was an assembly hall in 2012, costing nearly £30,000. Prior to its construction, the 600 children had to stand in the sun or rain when congregating. The assembly hall now serves other schools and is a popular examination and community center.

The Ebola epidemic severely impacted Sierra Leone’s community, causing hardship for children, staff, and families. The school was closed for over a year, affecting the sponsored children’s families. We alleviated hardship by funding food aid, sanitation equipment, and radio broadcasts to educate children on Ebola precautions. When restrictions lifted, we supplied agricultural equipment, seed, and handwashing water. The school underwent a deep clean and repainting to attract children. We’re pleased that none of the sponsored children contracted Ebola, but we accepted two orphaned children for sponsorship. The Bo Mother’s Union is responsible for seven younger children orphaned by Ebola who may be eligible for sponsorship in the future.

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The future
St Paul’s is rated in the top 5 schools in Bo District. Due to the political system in Sierra Leone the school has not received state recognition despite huge efforts by all of us over many years. Until this recognition is granted the school can only provide education for the first three of the six years of secondary education. This means St Paul’s students have to complete their secondary education at a “senior secondary” school. Their attendance and progress is closely monitored from St Paul’s.

It is our dream and ambition to secure the state recognition and allow St Paul’s School to offer both the junior and senior secondary education to prepare the children for adult life, whether in further education or elsewhere. Following the recent visit of the Bishop of Bo, Bishop Emmanuel Tucker to the UK (including a stay with us in West Wittering) and his whole hearted support to press for the school becoming licensed we are more hopeful of receiving recognition for St Paul’s School.

We are now seeing the first pupils move on into work or higher education, but many more sadly are still unemployed so that a major plank of our current strategy is to provide help to get children into further education, jobs or into business enterprises of one form or another. Sierra Leone has over 70% youth unemployment, the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa.

We are looking to help one or two young students, who have been sponsored through secondary school, the opportunity to attend university. We are also looking to help a limited number of students through vocational training. Our funds are limited so we will not be making promises to someone who will need funding for several years, unless we are sure we have the finances available. We are also exploring working with a Worthing based charity called Aid for Trade, who run a number of training programmes to help people into jobs or set up in business on their own.

In conclusion
Our involvement with St Paul’s is both a pleasure and a privilege. If you would like to be involved in giving children a chance in life and making a difference please donate.

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