Blog day 2
We started the day with a visit to the Sean Devereux Youth Centre at Matadi where we met almost 100 of the students that are supported by the VOS (Volunteers of Sean) sponsorship programme. The children ranged in age from about 4 to 20 and many had been accompanied by their parents. Many of them had travelled for several hours to get to Matadi as their homes and schools are scattered over such a wide area of town. The meeting opened with every child being required to stand up and say their name, grade and school. We held a question and answer session after the introduction with most of the questions being from concerned parents about how long we would continue to support the scheme. It was so hard to tell them that we didn’t know but that we were working on a plan to ensure that the support continues. They are so grateful for the support but it is hard to see that happiness tinged with the anxiety that their child may not be able to continue their education. The Fund has to ensure that the sponsorship scheme we are about to launch is a success.
The rest of the day was taken up by meetings with former beneficiaries of the sponsorship scheme who are now working and very proud of their achievements. Meetings with the VOS team of volunteers – all young adults with a passion to help others. We met with the VOS Board which comprised of the Government’s Vice President of the Law Reform Association, the Country Manager for UNESCO, a young graduate who works for one of the largest political parties and a young economics graduate – all of whom are passionate about the work of VOS and the example it sets.
Our final meeting of the day was with one of our longest serving local supporters, Madam Amelia Ward together with the new Minister of Education, Madam Tarpeth – together these two make a formidable team who are committed to helping us wherever they can.

It is hard to believe its two years since we were last here. On the one hand it seems like yesterday and on the other so much seems to have changed. On the road in from the airport there are shacks by the roadside selling everything from concrete blocks to phone cards where just a few years ago there were military checkpoints. The traffic heading out of town was a steady stream of cars – a bit like the mass exodus from London on a bank holiday weekend. All around there is evidence of more and more buildings being built… but by whom? Initially it looks like the economy is booming but dig a bit deeper and talk to the locals and you find that the new construction is being funded by large organisations and a lot of Chinese. I am no economist but in my simple view how can this be good for the local economy?
We are the guests of the Salesians in 8th Street again and are grateful for their hospitality. There have been changes here too – not only do we now have mains electricity but one of the outside storerooms has been converted into accommodation and, being the only woman, I have effectively been sent outside! Things got off to a great start this morning with no water and a cold bucket shower with two friendly cockroaches eeeeuuukk. I wish Maureen was here with her secret stash of chocolates and snacks and hip flask!
The day started a 9am with a meeting of all the various Sean Devereux groups – representatives from the SD Children’s Education Programme, Sean Devereux Youth Centre, Volunteers of Sean and Devereux Football Club. We had a summary of what they wanted to share with us in more detailed meetings later in the week and finalised our itinerary – as usual every day is packed. We then headed off for a meeting with Sister Barbara where we talked about the huge benefit that the containers we send with the enormous help of Feed the Children brings to the various groups. They are still desperate for food – pulses, rice, tinned goods for the HIV programme but also need any school materials, clothes, shoes, sheets etc. Please keep the donations coming and if you need more details drop an email to info@seandevereux.org.uk. They love the soap that is kindly donated by Lush but sadly the seeds often fail to germinate so we need to review this.
After lunch we headed out of town to meet up with Dr Keith Thompson, an anaesthetist based in Basingstoke who works on the Mercy Ships and also has a personal interest in several other projects. He has been supporting the Alfred and Agnes orphanage and is looking at ways to further this support. The children sang us a lovely song and sat so patiently and quietly whilst all the adults spoke to them about working hard etc – whilst I did my utmost to try and make them laugh by making silly faces and they were just totally bemused We didn’t stay long – just long enough to teach them how to play tag which was probably not the best idea given the 92o heat.

Heading back to Liberia on Tuesday -can’t believe its been two years since we last visited. Let’s hope things are getting better there…. stay tuned for further updates over the next week. We are planning to work out the logistics of our new Child Sponsorship scheme as well as looking at other ventures to provide education and food such as beekeeping! Its going to be another hectic week but we will come back with lots of feedback and photos.

As the year 2011 coming to its end we would like to record our appreciation and gratitude to all our benefactors.

This year we had increased the school fees very minimal but the price of food items more than doubled. The Sean Devereux Children’s Fund came to our aid through Mr. and Mrs. Lion and sponsored food for us. Sean Devereux Children’s Fund has also sponsored the extension work on the Notre Dame Hostel, additional staff house, solar equipment for the administration block and many other things.

A big thank you to the Trustees especially to Mr. Alan Lion and Mrs. Nicki Lion who are working tirelessly to see that our students receive those things which will help them to be better equipped. We also express our gratitude to the Salesian College of Farnborough (England) which raised the fund for the purchase of food.

Dear Sean Devereux Children’s Trust,

I know that you have a special interest in the plight of children in Africa and have been very generous in the past to Mary’s Meals which feeds more than half a million children each school day in Africa.

I thought you might like to know about our work in East Africa and in particular what we are managing to achieve in Somalia where very few agencies are able to work. Read the rest of this entry »