SIERRA LEONE COUNSULTATION

                                                       NOVEMBER 9, 2001

                                                             1:30 –5:00 pm

 Please note: if there are omissions or corrections, e-mail them to Joe Wagner, ocmission@compuserve.com

 **Called meeting to order.  Bishop Humper opened in prayer.

 **Introductions: Bishop J. C. Humper, Lovelle Meester, Linda Koleman, Earl Mason, Donna Stafano,      Jennifer Poitras, Carolyn Wagner, Joe Wagner, Jim Perry, Jim Gulley, Mozart Adevy

 **Report from Bishop Humper ~~

 I.  STATE OF PEACE PROCESS:

·       Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration of RUF, CDF in progress

·       * UNAMSIL, SLA, and police deployed in many parts of the country

       * A major area of slow disarmament by RUF is Northern District (Tonkolili and Bombali Districts

·     Life of Parliament extended for another six months

·     22 political parties have registered so far

·       May 14, 2002 is date set for General Elections.

National Electoral commission to oversee the next election

            3 possible systems:

                        Provincial representation  (5% gives representation in Parliament)

            Constituency system – country is divided and representative government

 THE CHOICE OF THE PEOPLE Could not do until 2004

1.     Country must be free from rebel activity

2.     A census should be taken (last census in 1985)

District Block Representation System

            Whole country divided into districts (presently 12 districts)

            Will have 14 districts, Freetown having two—east and west

              10% of total votes gets a proportion of Parliament

See November 14 and 15  for detailed information http://www.sierra-leone.org/slnews.html

Children—4 categories of children:

1.     Child soldiers—children abducted by rebels from 5 years up, placed in rebel camps, and  forced to use drugs

2.     Orphaned children whose parents were killed by rebels

3.     Roaming children—These ran for their lives to escape the soldiers and were thus separated from their parents.

4.     Assumed normal—Children who were essentially untouched by rebels and were not separated from their parents.  However, their homes have been looted, they have witnessed atrocities; even they are angry and traumatized. 

 III.   SCHOOL PROJECTS  (90% of the schools in Sierra Leone are church related):

1. Albert Academy

·       Drainage problem has been solved

·       School rededicated by President Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah

·       Computer Academy soon to be in operation

         NEEDS:

·       150 sets of desks and chairs

·       Solar system renovation

·       Generator for computer operation

·       Rehabilitation of former boarding home building

·       Support for a teacher in guidance counseling

 2. Baoma  NEEDS:

·       Furnishing of principal's quarters with basic furniture

·        100 sets of desks and chairs

·        Agricultural tools

·        Complete construction of the duplex staff house

·        Support for a teacher in guidance counseling

3. Bo Centenary  NEEDS: 

·       Completion of the electrical installation in multi-purpose hall

·       100 sets of desks and chairs

·       Rehabilitation of main classroom building destroyed in 1997

·       Support for a teacher in guidance counseling

 4. Vocational Institute, Bo

·       Component of Centenary Secondary School program

·       Young people to learn skills, such as carpentry, masonry, block-making, tailoring,

      computer training, plumbing, electrical work, gara tie-dye, carving, weaving, etc.

 NEEDS:       

·       Personnel, on short-term and long-term basis

·        Sewing machines

·        Computer, printer, and accessories

·        Power saws, carpentry tools, tools for construction work

·        20KV generator

 5.   FergussonMemorial, Moyamba

 NEEDS:

·       Renovation of school and administrative building  (in progress)

·        Renovation of  science laboratories

·        Completion of staff quarters

·        100 sets of chairs and desks

·        Refurbishing of piggery building

·        Replacement of window panes

6.    Makeni, Jaiama and Koidu schools --

           Educational activities are yet to be resumed

 III.    NEW PROJECTS ~ SCHOOLS

l.      UM Girls' Secondary School, Freetown

 ·           School officially opened on Sept. 10, 2001 - Foundation Day

·            Motto: "Omnia Vincamus" - "Together We Conquer"

·            Enrollment – 764

·            Scholarships needed for pupils, especially victims of rebel abductees

·            School kits needed

·            Need 150 desks and chairs to accommodate more girls not yet admitted in any school

·            Hope to support one teacher in guidance and counseling 

·            Renovation of school by Kay Hess and daughter this summer commended

·            Need for more renovation work

·            Needs a solar system

·            Support needed for a nurse at clinic ($40 per month); also medical supplies needed

 2.   FakunyaAgricultural and Vocational Secondary School, Gandorhun

 ·       Position advertised for new principal

·       Needs 160 sets of desks and chairs

·       Needs agricultural tools

·       Needs essentials for vocational training

·       Short-term and long-term personnel needed

·       Volunteer In Missions team needed

·       Needs scholarships for pupils

·       School kits for pupils, as well as other basic essentials needed

·       Needs sports equipment—Basketball, soccer, table tennis, etc.

·       Need for surveyor to resurvey campus

 3.    Mokanji Agricultural and Vocational Secondary School

 ·       Position for principal advertised

·       Needs for Mokanji are the same as for Fakunya 

·       One teacher in guidance and counseling needed

·       Need for surveyor to resurvey campus

 IV.     ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: MINNESOTA SUPPORTED SCHOOLS

1.  UMC School, Yonibana

·       Under Council of Churches in Sierra Leone and Govt. Agency -National Commission for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement (NCRRR), two buildings are being constructed.

·       Need for 150 sets of 2-seater benches

·        Needs uniforms

·        Needs school kits

2.  Rotifunk,  Lower and Upper

·       Social Action and Poverty Alleviation (SAPA) has refurbished the two school blocks

·       Need for 150 sets of 2-seater benches

·       Uniforms needed

·       Teaching and learning materials needed

 3. Moyamba –Salina

 ·       A new classroom block has been constructed by one NGO

·       Soon to build one three-classroom block (there are 3000 cement blocks on site)

·       Need teaching and learning materials.

 4.  Moyamba Central

 ·       Needs renovation

·       Needs  201 sets of 2-seater benches and desks

·       Teaching and learning materials also needed

   5.  Bonthe Infant School

 ·       One three-classroom block has been constructed by SAPA

·        Need to build one three-classroom block for nursery school

·        Need school kits and toys – and Teddy bears

·        Provide 100 benches for nursery school children

 V.      SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAM

·       Medical Services and General Education Departments are running a school health program. Components: 

1.      Dental and skin care 

2.      Eye examination for defects

3.     Routine check on, and treatment of, sexually transmitted infections (STI) - Health Education

4.     HIV/AIDS sensitization.  Needs instructional materials—books,  pamphlets

VI.      HEALING MINISTRY

  1.  Kissy Health Center

 ·       Need for more medical doctors

·       Vision for transformation into a hospital

·       Prospects for expansion of work

·       Work of dental hygienist satisfactory

·       Need for more qualified nurses

·       Development of laboratory

·       Additional neo-natal clinic center dedicated

·       School mobile clinic continues operation

·       Child malnutrition programme fruitful

·       HIV/AIDS –program, sensitization continues

·       Vehicle for medical coordinator secured—now in operation

·       Vehicle for Kissy Hospital has been purchased

 2.Rotifunk Hospital

                   Rehabilitation work visit site

                 Prospects for viable healing ministry

 VII.     JOINT UMC, MCSL PROGRAM

·       To engage in Community-Based Primary Health Care Program

·        Joint HIV/AIDS center collective work

·        Taiama Health Center; joint work to upgrade

 VIII.        CONCERNS

·       Installation of solar system in clinics and OC schools

·        Trauma healing/Healing and Reconciliation workshops and seminars - Training of personnel  needed

·       Establish center for conflict resolution, Transformation,  Peace and Reconciliation.

·        Short-term teachers to teach in OC schools.

CONCLUSION 

·       Great prospects for sustainable peace

·        Call for intentional partnership

·        Work Of OC commendable

·        Collaborative efforts ill holistic approach to socio-economic and spiritual needs of child ex-combatants

·        Support forleadership for involvement in facilitating sustainable peacein our land

·       Need to continue this great mission project.

·   Only hope for a better tomorrow

**Discussion on Work teams

            Rev. Ken-Green is the VIM coordinator in Sierra Leone

Please inform the OC office of workteams scheduled and they will be posted on the SL web page.

http://www.gbgm-umc.org/sierraleone/  and on the OC webpage:                                            http:/www.gbgm-umc.org/churches/operationclassroom/

 Workteams scheduled for 2002

Central Pennsylvania will be coming in January to work on Lester Peak

June date to be set, Operation Classroom,  Bill Jackson, team leader

July 12-30 Operation Classroom, Kay Hess, team leader

 ** SARDI Report

·       How we can jointly work together

·       Partnership in mission in WA

·       Fod and nutrition

·       Productive and farmining

·       Began in workshop in 1999

·       Developing program with partners

·       The program is the partners program

·       Tried to model and to be/co creators with JC

·       Calling as servants of one to another

·       Create a network of partners in 5 countries

·       Modeled a way to work together

·       Help partners to look within ourselves before we look for outside help

·       How to reach different communities

·       Trying to use the local church to take the research to local communities

·       Established concrete plans

·       Try to test the technologies in the next six months

·       How do we expect help from OC

            Pray

            Presence

               Finance

            Gifts in kind

** UMCOR (NGO)

Started an NGO office in Freetown  ---John Stafano

Help both development offices (MSL and UMC)

Help to fund present programs

            Do their own implementation of the country – ACT (Action and Churches Together)

            Helping to resettle refugees from Liberia

 ** Hope for the Children of Africa

They are working on a home in Bo and one in Freetown.

 **Report on Kissy Clinic and discussion

The real concern in proper drugs

Dr. Thomas from GBGM has been in Freetown evaluating the clinic

 **Report on Kissy Eye Clinic

Minnesota has taken a new interest the Kissy Eye Clinic. They are hoping to raise a $100,000 by Christmas

 **Report on Theological Hall (Report from Bishop Kulah)

Bishop Kulah is the head of Theological Hall

The  Sierra Leone Theological Hall mid Church Training Centre is an ecumenical Seminary operated by Four Church groups namely:

The Anglican Diocese of Freetown The Anglican Diocese of Bo

The Methodist Church of Sierra Leone

 The United Methodist Church

The major supporter of this institution is the United Methodist church mid therefore it is United Methodist in everything but in name.

As 1 assume this Princiaplship  1 so with joy and satisfaction. For after serving our Church for 20 years as Bishop of' tire United Methodist Church in Liberia, I am mice more given tire opportunity to help train both men and women for the Christian Ministry not only in Sierra Leone but all over West Afrⁱca

 Our Account is at the Sierra Leone Rokel Commerical Bank_, Siaka Steven Street, Freetown, The Account Numbers are as follows:

Acco^unt No. 1547352 - General

Account No. 1547379 - Salaries

NEEDS AT THE SIERRA-.LEONE THEOLOGICAL HALL AND CHURCH TRAINING  CENTRE

5 Computers with Internet/email Facilities

4 Typewriters (2 Mannual and 2 Electric)

4 Photocopiers (2 BLg and 2 Medium)

7 Electric Standing Fans

2 Telephone Sets Telex and Fax Facilities

4 Wall Clocks

3 Calculators (2 Modern and 1 Electronics)

2 Toyota Van (Six/Eight Beaters)

1 Toyota Hillox (2 Cabin)

2 Electric and 2 Mannual Duplicating Machines

6 Filing Cabinets

6 APEZ Lever and File Covers for Filing Payment and Receipt Vouchers 111

Electric Kettles

Television and Recording System for the Library (Gospel Music_t Video Cassettes

on Religion)

Office Supplies and Stationery] Labeling Tags,, Felt Pans_y File Covers and Markers,  Steel Cabinets, Office Tables with Drawers, Chairs, Stool for the Issuing Counter Additional Shelves and Cupboards.

Teaching Aids: Tapes/Cassette Radio and Recorders

Magazines Journals and a Selection of Concise Hooks on: Theology_$ Philosophy_# Sermons, Psychology, The Art of Preaching, Sociology, Teaching the Process of Christian Education Health, Commentaries Homiletics Dictionaries Bible Dictionaries₎ Interpreters Bible_s Bibles, Church Finances, African Traditional Religion, Pauline Theology, Eschatology, Mission_] Old and New Testament Theology, Concordance, Encyclopedia_# Communication_s Counseling, Church Finance, and Management, Community Development and many more.

Used clothing for Distribution to the poor and needy.

 

**Report on counseling program

        Solomon J.S. Kainyande DIRECTOR

Had a seminar in June led by CHASAL

Indiana plans to send a team in January. They will be met by Anthony Dioh and will conduct a two week seminar for 30 persons

Indiana will underwrite the cost of counselors in their 7 schools following the training seminar

**Discussion on Shipping

            Wisconsin sent a 40 foot container following their annual conference.

Indiana has sent a 20 foot and a 40 foot container and will send another 40 foot container in late November.

Baltimore Washing Conference will be shipping a 40 container in late November.

REMEMBER, THOSE WHO SEND A CONTAINER ARE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY SHIPPING CHARGES AND CLEARING  THE CONTAINER THROUCH CUSTOMS.

You also need to send a distribution list so the goods get to the proper place.                                                                                                                                                                

**Date for next meeting

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