Abdul Mansaray, one of our children (now adult) at Bethesda Orphanage, has started his final year at university studying Mass Communication.

At the beginning of August, Abdul began a two month practical internment at Bo, the second capital city of Sierra Leone, where he is gaining first-hand experience in presenting the news, editing news stories, controlling the camera, investigating news stories and writing television news scripts.

Abdul has also spent time working at the television station, Classic Media.

Looking back, it is hard to imagine that Abdul was a rescued street boy. He is an amazing example of how God is moving in the lives of children who come to Bethesda.

 

Abdul's rescue

Having been rescued at a very young age from the streets of Freetown by Magnus Bendu, Abdul was brought to live at Bethesda Orphanage, which gave him a home, new brothers and sisters, and ensured that he received a good education with a long-term opportunities.

Abdul continued to apply himself to his studies throughout his time at Bethesda. He was appointed Head Boy and went on to study for a degree in Mass Communication, made possible by generous donations from supporters of the Sierra Leone Mission, who came forward with money to cover his University tuition fees (which over time doubled). 

Prayer is a marvellous thing and every time help is needed, God prompts the right people to come forward. Our prayer today is that God will continue to prompt his people to support and enable more children to be led to a place of safety with new opportunities.

Heartfelt thanks from Abdul, preparing for University

'Our destiny is not created by the shoes we wear but by the steps we take. This is to express my gratitude and how thankful and happy I am with what is happening to me. Words are not enough to express my happiness and gratefulness to all of you. It is with vast pleasure that I send this special thanks from me, Abdul Mansaray, to all of you who conferred as a body to support me and my educational career in order to see me become a renowned person in the world at large. As Christians, we must always welcome the lost and receive people of all kind with Christ's love to support the weak and needy.  

'Let me take this opportunity to thank you all for the support you are giving me. This support has a great impact in my life, thinking back where Bethesda took me from. If I was not taken from my past life as a small boy 12 years ago, by now I would have been hopeless or in prison or dead. 

'Today I am talking about University. As I go to College I am going with a rest heart as you have given me a computer and a phone which will make learning easy for me. I really appreciate them and may God bless you. I promise to make you proud and to assure you that I will do my best to fulfil my aspirations. Please continue to pray for us, for God's direction and protection'.  

Photo: Abdul (centre) is with other Bethesda boys, Issa (left) and Andrew (right).

 

Sierra Leone Donations

If you would like to make a donation, to help SLM's work in Sierra Leone, just click on the Donations button, located at the top of each website page. Please also state if you would like your donation to go towards a particular project.

Alternatively donate by Bank Transfer

Barclays Bank

Sort code: 20-16-08, Account number: 30799076, Account name: Sierra Leone Mission 

(NB We are very grateful to receive anonymous donations, but when making a bank transfer donation, the donor's name is needed for auditing purposes. Please be assured this information will remain private.)

Or send a cheque to 

Sierra Leone Mission. Postal address: Janet Foord, 2 Cheyne Close, Church Milton, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 2SQ