The last twelve months have been rewarding as well as challenging. Rapid inflation and terrible exchange rates have created difficulties in managing our tight budget.
ACHIEVEMENTS:
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the dormitory construction which started in early 2024 has been mostly completed. The children were moved in September and are doing well. Solar panels have been installed, and exterior painting is completed. The tiling of the floors will be done when funds are available.
The orphanage continues to encourage academic excellence to enable our children to support themselves and to be leaders in their country. Two former children from the Pearl Dudek Centre are now successfully enrolled in the University of Makeni to further their studies. The newest university entrants shown below are Hannah M. Farma is pursuing Public Health, Isata Abigail Bangura is pursuing Procurement Logistics and Supply chain Management, and David Umaro Pessima, pursuing a BSc. in Mass Communication. In total, six students are currently attending university.
On another positive note, three students (Ismaheal, Mariama, and Abdul) have just completed their university studies and are preparing to enter the workforce. We congratulate them and wish them every success in their chosen fields.
CHALLENGES:
Inflation is high and our operational costs keep rising. Our relocation of the dormitory onto the school property has provided us with new issues and opportunities. Several school children from the community who do not have enough to eat come to the dormitory for food. We welcome them. This results in increased costs.
Although the children and staff have been relocated to the newly built dormitory, we have a few tasks to complete there when we have sufficient funds.
The solar panel electrical system is not powerful enough for their needs. We will upgrade that when possible.
The interior is still in need of floor tiling which will occur when funds become available.
APPRECIATION:
Many thanks to all the generous donors who support the orphanage and school through monthly donations and with one-time donations for special projects. You are making a real difference in the lives of many children. You are appreciated!
Building the dormitory was a huge undertaking which would not have been accomplished without your generous support. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Many thanks to the several donors who commit to providing monthly support for our operating costs which continue to rise. If you are not currently a monthly donor, we invite you to consider being one.
We are committed to using your dollars wisely. Approximately 95% of all donations received go directly to operating the orphanage and school. Every committee member in Canada is a volunteer.
A reminder that income tax receipts for the 2024 calendar year are being sent out now and are from Accountable Development Works. If your donation was made by credit card through our website via “Canada Helps”, you will have received an immediate receipt.
Thank you. The orphanage dormitory has been built, the children were moved in September and are doing well. But our job is not finished. We have the funds to install solar panels for electricity and to do the painting. The tiling of the floors will be completed when funds are available.
Inflation is high and our operational costs keep rising. Our relocation onto the school property has provided us with new issues and opportunities. Several school children from the community who do not have enough to eat come to the dormitory for food. We welcome them. This results in increased costs. Thank you for your continued support for the poor.
The children depend on us. God Bless You for all the good you do.
Dear friends of SLAM. The roof is on. The ceiling has been completed, and the front door has been installed. But we really need your help with your prayers and your donations to help us complete the interior of the dormitory. We are $20,000 short of what we need to complete the project. Any donation, large or small is appreciated. This is urgent as we would like to relocate the children to the new facility in September.
Donations may be made in one of four ways:
Through the parish.
By credit card through our website at slam.accountabledevelopment.org
Our dormitory construction is progressing even though construction was paused for part of March and April due to a shortage of funds. A few generous people helped us to resume work. We are thankful that the roof has been completed prior to the rainy season.
As you can see, costs are rising. Our budgeted cost is now $80,000. We are confident that with your help of prayers and dollar donations we will complete this project soon. As of June 10, 2024 we have received $46,000 in donations toward this project.
Things do not always go smoothly, and when one works closely with a small charity, every bump in the road is noticed.
Frustratingly, because of a shortage of funds our dormitory construction project was paused for the last three weeks (March 20 to April 18). Construction has now resumed, but we still need dollars and prayers to finish the project. Thank you for all your help.
Additionally, there is a frightening drug crisis in Sierra Leone. Fortunately, the children at the orphanage and school are under fine supervision and are shielded from the drug problem. However, one of our students attending further education has fallen into addiction. Our leader, Jason Dudek, is covering the expenses for his rehabilitation.
It is no wonder many of the children call him, “Dad”. He has such love and generosity toward these children who would have no hope without us.
Small charities such as SLAM lack the visibility that huge national and international charities have. Yet we spend far less on administration than they do. Every worker in Canada is a volunteer. We spend less than 5% of donations on administration (mainly bank fees and a yearly audit). Larger charities spend much more. (Canadian Red Cross 49%; Siloam Mission 20%; World Vision 22%; Salvation Army 17% – source “Charity Intelligence Canada).
You can help SLAM in three ways:
Your donations
Your prayers
Spreading the word about SLAM
Thank you and God Bless you for all the good you do.
