We have just published our latest newsletter and you can find it HERE if you are not on our mailing database.
All of us at the Sean Devereux Children’s Fund wish you a Happy Christmas and a safe and healthy 2021
£8000!
From the rainy day pictured above back in late September, to a rainy day in September;what has changed?
The simple answer is that thanks to your efforts, over £8000 has been raised in our unique and virtual WFS 2020!
There are more details on our Events page our forthcoming Christmas newsletter gives more detail of the work being undertaken in Liberia to help educate young children and keep them safe and healthy.
Thank you to every single person, who waked, ran, bounced, cycled and sponsored to help us raise this tremendous amount of money!
"The Worst Witch" helps WFS 2020
Our thanks to our Patron Raquel Cassidy whose Instagram initiative aimed at fans of the Worst Witch TV series is helping raise money for WFS 2020.
Fans who choose to donate £10 via the website (along with the donation message “Into the Cauldron” have the opportunity to win a personalised video message from Raquel, as well as homework, of course from HB (Miss Hardbroom for the unitiated).
This popular BBC show has been watched by millions and the prize is already proving popular.
One lucky winner will be plucked from the Cauldron after the 7th December.
Thank you to Raquel and of course all those taking part!
Great Support for "Walk for Sean 2020"
We have been overwhelmed by the great support of all those who have taken part so far and supported with donations…….THANKYOU!
There are still 2 weeks to go and we hope to raise a few more £s as various supporters continue to walk, row, run and jump all around the world.
One such outstanding effort was undertaken by Jane Moloney in the west of Ireland, who has walked many, many miles and raised £1000+.
There is no better way to sum it up than in Jane’s own words in the short film below:
Update from Liberia
We recently had an update from Fr Riccardo s.d,b who runs the Salesian ministy in Tappita, a place very close to Sean’s heart. In common with the whole of Liberia, this year has been challenging. The statement below is the last public pronouncement from George Weah, President of Liberia. This was given to the UN in September.
“Your Excellencies, Africa has been hit hard by the pandemic, although the continent has not seen the number of deaths and affected persons as has been the case in many advanced countries. We can only attribute this to the MERCY OF OUR ALMIGHTY GOD, who has made sure that predictions of massive numbers of deaths on the continent of Africa did not materialize.
In Liberia, we were able to build on our previous experience six (6) years ago with the Ebola Viral Epidemic, and I am proud to say that the Government and its development partners have mounted a robust National Covid Response that seems to have contained COVID-19 for the time being.
As a result, only about One Thousand Three Hundred and Twenty-one (1,320) Liberians have been affected by COVID-19 to date, of which approximately One Thousand Two Hundred and Thirteen (1,213) of these have fully recovered, with some 82 Liberians falling to the epidemic.
I therefore want to extend special thanks to our bilateral and multilateral partners for the strong support Liberia received to deal with the COVID-19 emergency and help sustain the Liberian economy. The Government has now developed a Post-Covid Economic Recovery Plan that prioritizes short term actions and investments in key sectors such as agriculture and tourism, as a means of reducing the impact of COVID-19 but also providing the basis for economic recovery”.
We support 120 children via sponsorship in Tappita and here are 2 recent pictures of those starting and those finishing school.
It goes without saying that your continued support of our events and your sponsorship is invaluable to these young people. Fr Riccardo summarises this as below:
The School Year 2019-2020 has been a very though and unpredictable one. And, given the harsh socio-economic reality due to the COVID – 19, something similar (if not worse) could be foreseen for the coming year 2020-2021.
The school is in a financially depressed state. The parents and students are in a disadvantaged position given the struggle they are undergoing, and even worse if we were to raise the school fees (which no matter how irrelevant it could be) has to take place.
The teachers are also victims to the fact of low wages that could barely sustain their individual families. They too need a better remuneration, more consistent with their dignity, service and commitment. In conscience and out of respect of their dignity we have to increase it!
Our greatest hope is in scholarships from our trusted friends.
Last year, through yours and other friends’ support, we were able to give 120 students scholarship. These students economic situation has deteriorated and they will be looking up to us for assistance this coming academic year 2020/2021. It is our ardent hope that our friends could extend a helping hand to these children through the school to secure for them a better future. Whatever assistance for scholarship will be highly appreciated.
Salesian boys maintain Sean's legacy
Once again the year 7s of Salesian Farnborough took part in their annual fundraiser for SDCF, the “Run for Sean”.
This article appeared in the local press thanks to Gareth Cousins, Head of Sport at the school.
We are really grateful for the support of Mr Owens, the Head and Paul Dalgas the head of Year 7 who once again organised this huge effort. Most of all we are grateful to the young lads who are literally treading in Sean’s shoes.
Please do send us any photos of your own walk, run, swim or any other sponsored activity.
All systems "Go" for Walk for Sean 2020
A group of intrepid young supporters braved the elements on the 4th October to kick start this year’s “Walk for Sean”.
As we all know we live in a very different world at the moment, but one constant is the need to help our children in Liberia. Like all charities our usual fundraising efforts have been hit by the current situation, but we are determined to make the very best of the situation.
Full details of how you can take part and help us to help the schoolchildren can be found on the Events page.
"Walk for Sean 2020"- A different approach!
This year’s Walk for Sean is, sadly, going to be a bit different from previous years. It will come as no surprise to all our supporters that, with the global COVID situation, we have had to cancel our scheduled event.
Firstly, we hope everyone is keeping fit and healthy during these very strange times!
This year we are asking all our supporters to take part in our “Walk for Sean 2020”, but to do so locally with just their family or socially-distanced friends. Full details will appear on the Events page but are summarised below.
Scenes from the Walk for Sean in the last 2 years, in both Liberia and the UK
Liberia-May 2020
As we write this update, the world is of course gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic, with Liberia no exception. Currently the country is reporting 345 cases with 30 deaths, although it is likely that the numbers are higher because of relatively poor reporting practices.
The Fund has advanced monies to help to all those we are consistently working with, including our school in Brewerville and many other communities in and around the capital. We have also supported the Special Olympics project and those children most in need who are involved in it.
This money is targeted at supporting public health (as described in our Coronavirus 2020 update on this site), education whilst the schools are closed and of course basic food and consumables.
We are also pleased to report that Mary’s Meals are once again operating and this allows our children to be certain of receiving one meal a day as a result of being registered at the school.
The pictures below are a sample of life in Liberia, from the home study aids produced by our Head at Brewerville (David Flower) to some of the scenes of basic hygiene and food distribution.
A little goes a long way and we thank you for your support. You can of course make a one-off secure donation at any time by clicking on DONATE.
Spring 2020
We have just emailed our latest newsletter, which is also available HERE for all those who wish to view it. It contains current news from Liberia in these difficult times and an announcement re our 2021 “Walk for Sean”.