Precious greetings from Freetown, Sierra Leone. Praising God for bringing all of us into another new year and era. The Center for Training the Vulnerable Vocational Institute is fully back in session after the short Christmas break. All girls in training are fully geared and engaged in class work and practical sessions. Final year students are also ready for three months practical internship in various departments.
In all of my updates I mentioned an outstanding need( scholarship provision), which would enable girls in training to continue their studies. Many of the girls are coming from terrible backgrounds, with no room for love and opportunity for progress in life. Many are single parents, some orphans, making life even worst for them. Furthermore, all of them are coming from poor backgrounds. Enrolling into a two years skills vocational school has brought a sigh relieve to all of them. A great transformation is taking place in their lives spiritually and morally.
However, it is getting apparent and difficult to train a single girl. The major problem is the deteriorating economy (inflation), which continues to attract an increase in prizes in all commodities in the market. Every department (sewing, hairdressing, catering and arts/crafts) require practical demonstration on a daily basis. Students are required to buy various items from the market for practical purpose. A great number CANNOT just afford these items and also other logistics. Many feel discouraged and the temptation for them is to quit the school. The burden of helping them lies on the head of my wife and I.
The Lord has been helping us. The need for a scholarship assistance cannot be overemphasized at this time. Scholarship assistance should cover practical learning materials, tuition, equipment, transportation and other school logistics. You may like to pray for any of these girls stated below and possibly consider assisting any one of them (on a monthly basis or annually).
Training a girl on a monthly basis is $100. The school also has ten teachers and need to be paid on a monthly basis. The Lord has provided a land space for a permanent school building. Trusting God for funding to build a permanent structure!
RAMATU KANU:
Ramatu comes from a poor Muslim background. Hard times and lack of love in the home forced her into the streets for twelve years. She heard about the school from a friend and decided to enroll in the tailoring departments. She gained consciousness of her identity. She desires to fully complete her two years study program-me, as long the Lord provides. She is living by faith on a daily basis for her school needs and personal needs.
MAMIE BRIMAH:
Mamie was married, but the husband unlawfully abandoned her with four children. She has no one to support her and the children. She did all kinds of domestic and hard labor to survive, but life continue to be terrible. Passing by one day, she saw young ladies dressed in uniform in the schools compound. She became so motivated and captivated after interviewing the girls. She immediately enrolled in the Hairdressing department. Her desire is to become self sustainable after her training. She is everyday trusting God for a scholarship.
ALICE HINCLEY:
Alice comes from a poor Muslim background. She lost her parents during the recent Ebola epidemic in the nation. With no one to assist her she decided to go into prostitution after the Ebola crises. She was however arrested one night and detained by the police on night patrol. After her release she decided to be focused. She immediately enrolled into the tailoring department and she is trusting God to see what will happen with her life.
ISATU KOROMA:
She was brought to the city by her Aunt some years back, with the hope of going to school. This did not work out well; she was also introduced to business which also did not work for her. After many wasted years, she met a Friend who introduced her to the skills vocational school. She immediately saw the need for enrollment into the catering department. She is excited over the program-me, even though she is faced with many challenges. (domestic and social)
FLORENCE KARGBO:
Florence was raised in the home of a single parent. Her father abandoned her and other six younger brothers and sisters at a very tender age. Her mother could not withstand the pressure of raising the kids; she eventually died out of stress. Florence dedicated her life to the Lord. She is enrolled into the Hairdressing department. Her desire is to be gainfully employed and equipped after her studies; so that she support her siblings.
YEABU CONTEH:
At age sixteen she became pregnant and dropped out of school. She was thrown out of her home. She has been suffering for so long as a single parent. She finally decided to share her sad story with the Proprietress, Mrs Adama Fornah. She encouraged her to enroll into the catering department. She is working very hard to improve her status.
ISATA SESAY:
She is staying with her aunt for many years, but completely rejected and sad. She made many mistakes in life, in the pursuit of survival. There was no hope until she decided to enroll into the hairdressing department of the school. Even though life is difficult and full of challenges, she is hopeful that with her new transformation there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
ISATU KANU:
She was forced into early marriage while staying in the village. She could not cope with the marriage. She decided to escape and came to the city. She stayed with her uncle, who eventually attempted to rape her. She vacated the house and stayed with a friend in the community. She was counseled by Mrs Adama Fornah and offered her enrollment in the school. She is doing fine in the tailoring department.
PRINCESS SESAY:
She came from a family with no moral standards. She was left on her own at a tender age. This forced her into fighting and joined gang groups. She was arrested and imprisoned on many occasions. She got frustrated with life. It was during this process that she was introduced to the skills school. She enrolled into the tailoring department and working to make it.
THANKS so much for taking time to read these stories. There are many more with similar stories, who need assistance. We deeply appreciate your prayers and support. Praying that your PARTNERSHIP will yield a great dividend in the live of a girl made and fashioned in the image of God. Be assured that you are also in our sincere PRAYERS!
Keep in touch! You may have some advise or questions for clarifications. Have a blessed day! Please, find some attached pictures of girls named and doing practical work. Keep in touch!
Yours for the Sierra Leone-an Harvest,
Rev Warren and Adama Viola Fornah.
