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NEWSLETTER NO. 115 & 116
Hello!
Hello! How are you? NEWSLETTER NOS. 115 - OCTOBER 2009 116 - NOVEMBER 2009
I hope this finds you all well. As you can see, I am doing “two for the price of one” as we couldn’t open school until November. But first of all I must say Happy Birthday to my lovely Mum (89!!), sister Lynne (62), brother Peter (60), brother Phillip (52), niece Claire (36), nephew Christopher (20), and Jean & Peter’s 25th Anniversary. I know that you will join with me in sending love, prayers and best wishes and especially to Mum – what an achievement!! I love you all! Many parts of Freetown are getting almost constant electricity now that the Bumbuna Dam first stage has been completed (35 years after it was started!) but there is still a lot of work to do before all of Freetown and even the Provinces get any. Another good thing has been the introduction of wearing seat belts in all vehicles by law, and actually it is quite amazing that everyone has accepted and is adhering to this new law without question or grumbling. Roland, Clare, Elizabeth and some students from Wells Cathedral School (UK) came on a two week visit to Sierra Leone. It was very unfortunately that they didn’t get to meet our children (as school didn’t open until November). However, I know they had a great time working with Aunty Kitty and the Ballanta Music Academy and a school east of Freetown. They also joined with the Cantati Camerati – a chamber choir of ladies and gentlemen (Richmond, UK) – who were also visiting Salone. They did three concerts, one at the British Council and two at St. George’s Cathedral. Really beautiful singing which I know the audiences enjoyed and appreciated. Let’s hope that the situation at the school will be resolved so that the next time they visit, we will be able to join in the activities. Anyway, I am so happy that both groups were able to enjoy their stay here and take away some good memories. We also had a visit from Joanna, Jess and James, who were fortunate to meet the children as their visit came when we had re-opened. They were only here for a week and the main purpose of their time here was to to go to the Blind School in Bo in the Southern Province. They are going to do a project there next year which will be really good because the Bo Blind School (like the Blind School in Makeni in the North) really needs a lot of help as they have only recently been set up. So we are very pleased that they are starting to get some help. It was lovely to see them, and especially Joanna who had helped us so much on the 2007 Tour when she arranged for us to meet William Hague who was so good with the children and made our visit to the Houses of Parliament really interesting. There was a farewell lunch for Sorrel (from Wells School) who had been in Sierra Leone for three months doing some voluntary work at two schools teaching music and drama. I really admired her independence in getting around Freetown which I’m sure will help her a lot when she goes to work in Italy next year. I know she really enjoyed her time here and we enjoyed her being here. There were some special services I attended at the St. George’s Cathedral – the Cantati Camerati/Wells Concerts, Harvest Festival, Choir Sunday, Remembrance Sunday, Sunday School Thanksgiving, Dorcas Women’s Association Thanksgiving, and the Wardens/Sidesmen Thanksgiving. The Cathedral Choir’s singing at these services was especially lovely and really uplifting. Well, I think that’s about it for now apart from wishing you all a Blessed, Peaceful and Happy Christmas and New Year!! And finally, I will finish as always by sending best wishes to those celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and any other happy event. I also send goodwill messages and solicitations/condolences to those who are not well or have a bereavement or have received any sad news. From all the children and staff here at the School and myself, I send all our love and prayers to you and your families and friends.
Take care and may God richly
bless you all. |
