REPORT OF BISHOP J.C. HUMPER,  October 30, 2000

Sierra Leone Consultation, Atlanta, Georgia

POLITICAL SITUATION IN SIERRA LEONE

• Relative progress made, Highway Freetown to Bo open
• Former Leader Foday Sankoh and Collaborators to face war crimes tribunal
• New RUF leader named: General Issa Sesay
• UNAMSIL deployed in some parts of the country
• North (Makeni, Lunsar, Magburaka and diamond area of Tongo Field and Kono still under rebel control.
• Need for additional UNAMSIL for peacekeeping forces to be deployed in the entire country
• Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration (DDR) programme in progress but slow
• Prospects for peace are great with full International Community backing
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission TRC) essential for ultimate Peace and Reconciliation in the country.

OPERATION CLASSROOM SCHOOLS

As usual Operation Classroom supported schools with teaching and learning materials, scholarships for teachers and for students.  In addition to the regular school supplies, the following schools benefited from the supply of Agricultural and other tools.

(1) Albert Academy

(2) Baoma

(3) Bo

(4)  Fergusson

(5) 

1. Albert Academy

 Accomplishments

• Drainage system completed
• Main building refurbished and renovated
• Sustainable drinking water provided
• Toilet system refurbished
• 1000 sets of chairs and desks provided
• Chemistry/Biology laboratory refurbished and renovated.

 

These were accomplished with funds from O.C. Alumni, P.T.A and Sierra Leone Government.

TO BE DONE

• Provide 250 sets of desks and chairs
• Redo the electrical wiring of the main building and the laboratory
• Reactivate the solar system
• Renovate the Library
• Establish and equip the proposed computer laboratories
• Renovate the Staff Room

2. Baoma

• Principal's Quarters renovated
• Other School building refurbished and renovated
• Provision of Classroom furniture

TO BE DONE

• Furnish Principal's Quarters with basic items of furniture
• Provide 100 sets of chairs and desks
• Provide more agricultural tools
• Complete Staff Quarters. Foundation was laid in 1995,
• Work came to a standstill when rebels struck Baoma.

• Completion of Assembly Hall
• Renovation of the school
• Provision of furniture
• Repairs to existing and broken furniture

TO BE DONE

• Electrify the Hall
• Make a drainage system around the hall
• Provide 100 sets of desks and chairs
• Reconstruct the main Administrative building (This was burnt in 1997 by     
• the rebels)

4. FERGUSSON

 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Provision of 50 sets of desks and chairs
• Repaired many more items of classroom furniture
• Repaired the doors and most windows

TO BE DONE

• Provide another 50 sets of chairs and desks
• Replace broken window panes
• Refurbish the piggery
• Complete the staff quartersbuilt to wall height about Ten (10) years ago

Each of these schools need

• Five sewing machines
• Five typewriters
• One Mimeograph Machine

 

Makeni Only tentative arrangements can be made for this schoolsince rebels are still in Makeni

Jaiama and Koidu The entire Kono District is in the firm grip of the rebels, and it is unlikely that school work can resume there in the next one year

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS (Minnesota Supported)

These schools are Yonibana, Rotifunk, Moyamba Central and Moyamba Salina.

1. YONIBANA

• This school needs renovation and very minor repairs
• 50 sets of 2 seater benches repaired

2. ROTIFUNK

• This school has been refurbished/reconstructed by SAPA (Social Action and Poverty Alleviation).
• It however needs 130 sets of 2seater benches and desks.

 

3. MOYAMBA CENTERAL

• Renovated needed
• Furniture needed

 

4, MOYAMBA SALINA

Minnesota to reinitiate plan to build an infant school block of three classroom

III MEDICAL PROGRAMME

 

• Methodist Church of Sierra Leone (MCSL; and United Methodist Church UMC) Joint Community Based Care (CBHC) Programme Planned awaiting funding from partners: Memorandum of Agreement signed.
• Two days workshop for CBHC workers was held Nurses to be assigned to different parts of country.
• Process of securing vehicle for Medical Coordinator.
• Kissy Health Clinic: Progressing well: project for construction of Theatre urgent and needs fundingplan for theatre now available; Two Missioners of Hope assigned to Clinic, need for Work Teams Construction of additional, building in future
• Need to secure vehicle for Kissy Clinic
• Manjama Health Clinic van purchased: one Missioner of Hope (Alice Matturi) assigned to clinic, needs essential drugs; to complete two staff quarters; renovate existing buildings.
• Rotifunk Clinic now in operation with Nurse Jennifer Jigba serving there.
• UMCOR provides $20,000 to upgrade nurse salaries, grant of Dr. Fergusson's PIM at Eye Hospital, proposed $50,000 for there years for medical programmes
• School clinic programme begin, Children's malnurishment programmes continues.
• HIV/AIDS workshop for Teachers for child prevention care aids, education held with WHO Representative and Ministry of Health representative in attendance.
• Need for Dental Mobile Clinic

DEVELOPMENT DESK

UMC Development Desk established with $45,00 grant from UNCOR (GBGM): Generator (42kv), computer, cabinet, other furniture in place.

TRAUMA CONSELLING/IEALING/ RECONCILIATION

• Department established with Mr. Solomon J.S Kainyande as Director
• Joint funding by Sweden UMC, GBGM and OC as leadagency put in place.
• Need to get Director visit Liberia to study programme there,
• Need to establish centers in all Districts in future
• Needs: furniture, cabinet, computer, printer, photo copier, resource
• materials
• Workshop / Seminars to be organized as early as practicable.

VOCATIONAL INSTITUTE IN BO

• Youth and young Adults Vocational Institute to be located at BTI, Bo Timely work to begin work.
• Director appointedMr. Sallu L. Kamara with PIM position.
• Existing facilities in BTI, Bo to be used to start programme.

 

VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION

• Conference Coordinator of Volunteers in Mission appointed
• VIM Work Teams to be put in place by 200

GENERAL: DEDICATION OF CHURCHES

• Mayenkeni UMC Calaba Town 26^{th  November}
• Bishop Baughman UMC24th December
• Asbury UMC 14th  January 2001

HOPE FOR THE CHILDREN OF AFRICA

Two Children's Homes to be constructed which would be located in Goderich, Freetown; and BTI, Bo.

Multipurpose Building: Facility for about 00 children, clinic; school and Trauma Counselling/Healing Centre

Funding: GBGM Goderich, Freetown, North Georgia ConferenceAtlanta, Georgia

O.C.: to be involved in "specialized Ministry to Children'

PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

• Postwar Sierra Leone prospects for expansion of ministries.
• Country ripe for propagation of Gospel
• Inter Religious Council  Moral guarantor for sustainable peace.
• Challenges; Reintegration of excombatants; care for exchild soldierseducational facilities
• Ban on illegal trade in Sierra Leone diamonds which help fuel rebelwar.
• Repatriation of refugees from Guinea and Internationally displaced
• Immediate provision for Returnees as a result of crisis in Guinea.

CONCLUSION

• Grateful for continued support OC and all partners,
• Hope for a brighter Sierra Leone.
• People have not given up since God is in control,
• Growth of Church promising in postwar with the Church's impact on Refugees and Displaced.
• Rehabilitation of infrastructure and Healing of wounds inflicted on citizens major concern.
• With God all things are possibleHas God resources for Healing and wholeness.
• Sierra Leone shall rise again no matter how long it might take, with good governance it is possible.