MY MARANATHA EXPERIENCE – BY CLAUDIUS WARNE
Upon returning home to Sierra Leone after 21 years, I met the last person I would have expected to see on my flight, Fiona Luke. We got talking and I was then invited to help with gift dropping at a school in Sierra Leone Regents for charity work.
Upon arriving at the school in Regents, we passed the American Embassy which stood clear and secure like a castle and the surrounding builds in the area, well they were almost as nice. I looked around again and noticed some kids running, it seemed as though they were racing and that’s when I noticed a long ground floor building. This building was in the middle of a big open field. Comparing the state of this building to the rest in the area was a real shock. It was the only free school in the area for miles, but yet it was only one floor with 5 double bedroom sized classes.
The kids were asked to stop their sports day practice so they could join us. They lined up with smiles on their faces, sang and marched into their classrooms, waiting with excited looks on their faces for what was to come. We started by explaining who we were and what we were about to do and praised them for coming to school, because we all know how easy it is for them not to. We shared out books, pencils, erasers and sharpeners to each student, from the youngest to the oldest. They greeted us upon walking into their classroom and thanked us with a song upon leaving. At the end, we gave the headmaster and mistress reading books and explained to them how important it is for these kids to read and have access to these books. They both thanked us and we left.
When leaving, I sat quietly in thought about what I had just witnessed. One classroom holds at least 60 students and they have to study in this room all day every day, but I couldn’t stay in there for more than 3-5 minutes without needing fresh air. I praised Fiona on her work even though I know her work has just scratched the surface of things. I also thank those who have donated items, money or their time, if you could see what I witnessed on my holiday, then you would be really proud of your contribution.
Thank you once again and I hope and pray that God will bless you for all your help with Tebbs SC.
