Day 3
We traveled up the long, bumpy hill to Bethel School with Julius and a couple of his associates to a very warm reception with the Principal, Miss Rodah, and the 60+ students from nursery to fourth grade. The school is humble and unremarkable is most ways, yet one of the finest buildings in the surrounding area (which speaks of the poverty there). It has seven rooms, three of which are currently being utilized as classrooms, with one as an office and staging area, with three rooms “downstairs” currently not used. Julius said the building could accommodate up to 200 children. The area around the school is relatively new, and will be growing over the next few years.
Each class had a presentation for us, and we had a marvelous time visiting and taking pictures of their smiling places. The principal said their biggest need was shoes for the children – not exactly a superfluous request. This visit was both encouraging and challenging at the same time – a common occurrence here.
We then moved on to the offices of Scripture Union – Sierra Leone. General Secretary Donald Manley gave us a tour of the office, after which we sat down with his 12 or so staff, and three members of his board, including Chairman Emerson Thomas. Each program director discussed their departments. The ministry of SUSL is extremely well known and understood by David and Brian, who have been impacted by their work. After their presentations, we had dinner (fellowship and eating are nearly synonymous here) before again retiring late for the day.
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