We recently sat down with Jamie and her husband, Ethan, who spent a week in Sierra Leone last month. It was wonderful to hear some updates on Mariama’s health and to get their impressions of how the overall program is going.  

Favorite Moments

Ethan ~ We had a lot of fun doing relay races with the girls.

Then later, it was a blast playing hot potato with the girls. (Beth had left a stuffed hot potato game there for the girls which plays music and then makes an exploding sound at any moment, to end the round). The girls were acting like the potato was radioactive! Their whole body would spasm as they would frantically try to toss, juggle, bobble and eventually toss the potato to another person in the circle. The girls were laughing hysterically! That was the hardest I laughed all trip!

Jamie ~ Ethan went to the market and bought all the ingredients to make beef meat pies. I loved having both of us, along with all the girls and their house moms, all in the kitchen together. They all worked hard to make the dough. I think that it was good for them to see a man cooking in the kitchen, since that is less common in Sierra Leone. We played music while we all cooked together and it really felt like a big family. The meat pies ended up tasting so good!

Construction

Jamie ~ Construction is very impressive! The whole team is like a well oiled machine, with everyone having their own tasks. The team is very motivated, with each one contributing in their own way, giving 10/10 effort. I have never seen ceilings that high in Sierra Leone! The guest house, homes for the girls and community center all look great!

Mariama

For those new to our blog, one of the girls, Mariama, is suffering from sickle cell anemia. (Please see our last posting here to read more if you missed it). It was very apparent to Jamie and Ethan that Mariama is struggling physically and academically and has declined significantly since their last visit. 

Ethan ~ Mariama was the first girl who wanted to hold our hands. She is still very cuddly and tenderhearted. She is very nurturing and helpful with her little sisters, and clearly loves them very much. While she still has the sweet and precious side of her, she seems weighed down by her academic struggles and development. It was sad and discouraging to see her embarrassment over her performance at school. I sat down to read with her and she wanted to read one of the much younger girl’s books, more at a 1^st grade level, although she is the age of a 6^th grader.

Jamie ~ Due to her lack of oxygenation from sickle cell complications, I found Mariama to be very withdrawn. We went to her school and she noticed her sitting in the back of the class, very isolated. It’s like she has so many words to say but cannot get them out. She has trouble concentrating in class and seems to be very aware of her deficits. We are very concerned about Mariama.

After Jamie and Ethan returned home, Grandma Dorcas made contact with a Doctor in the US who specializes in sickle cell anemia, who is remarkably, originally from Sierra Leone. In a huge answer to prayer, this specialist was getting ready to visit the capital of Sierra Leone, Freetown. Dorcas took Mariama the nearly 5 hour drive to Freetown for a consultation with this expert. Sweet Mariama has been started on some new medication and is being closely monitored. We are helping her as much as we possibly can with the resources available. So many of you have mentioned that you are continuing to pray for her and we appreciate your prayers SO much!

Impact

Final question answered by Jamie ~ For supporters, what difference do you think this program and their donations are having in the lives of the Daughters of Mamaland?

Jamie - It is the difference between life or death! This program is giving them opportunities that only 1% of Sierra Leoneans have. It is the seemingly easy and obvious things that we have in the US that we never think about, that can actually change someone’s life, like proper nutrition, to have somewhere safe to stay, meeting those basic needs that so many others there are lacking. It was so great to see such strong attachments between the girls and their House Moms. They all clearly love, need and want to be with their Moms and it is so sweet. I also believe that it is transformational on a spiritual level for these girls to be raised, supported and thriving in a Christian community. 

We feel the same way! Whether through a monthly sponsorship of one of the girls or providing funds for a woman to start her own business to support her family, every donation is making a SIGNIFICANT difference! THANK YOU!!!

Donations can be made here.