Shoebags to Sierra Leone
A shoe-bag full of joy for Christmas
By David Vaughan
A team of Hailsham ladies has been busy since early this year with a project to provide some Christmas cheer for hundreds of children in Sierra Leone. In this country even children who are officially on the poverty scale can expect to receive at least the basics for everyday living but, sadly, in many parts of the world such things as toothpaste, colouring pencils and simple toys are in short supply or even non-existent for many children. The Hailsham Gospel Mission in Station Road is part of a group of churches that, for many years now, have been helping such children to have a Happy Christmas and enjoy receiving some of the things that most children take for granted.
Every Thursday morning in the newly decorated church hall you will find Tina Whickman, Maureen Wilson, Eileen Down, Viv Horne, Jane Williams and their friends busy packing shoe-bags (Remember the ones
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As someone who, in the past, has been involved with children in Africa in similar circumstances I can tell you just how much these gifts are treasured by the recipients. Children who, for perhaps the first time in their lives, will have been given some things they can call their own as, all to often, having to share or go without is the only option open to them.
Tina and Viv told me that, when they started helping out they were tasked with making and packing items for 100 shoe-bags but last year they reached a target of 200, and this year have achieved the magnificent
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Last year a local firm, Medi-Tech Trust, who supply medical equipment
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Ready for shipping...also made a substantial contribution of items for the church's Health Centre They have also negotiated a competitive rate for the transport of the goods in a 40 foot container, which is loaded in early October and then sent, via a shipping company, to Sierra Leone where, after a fairly long journey by road, it arrives at at the Bethesda Orphanage where eager hands unload it to give to the children for whom this is one of the most exciting days of their year.
Hailsham Gospel Mission is part of a Christian organisation set up by the Countess of Huntingdon in the 1800’s whose mission was to help freed slaves in Freetown Sierra Leone. They carry out work with children of all ages, as well as supporting schools, churches and locally based health care units. The Hailsham church, as well as being a place for prayer and worship, provides as part of its vision for the local community a place where people can meet and enjoy company with a regular Thursday morning gathering for tea, coffee and a light snack and a ‘Time together’ spot on some Thursday afternoons where visitors can enjoy board games, art work and friendly conversation. It also provides a meeting place for various local groups and is shortly to start a regular mother and toddler group. You can find out about the church’s activities and the work of the Sierra Leone mission on on the church website