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.
Thank you to all donors who are helping us to achieve the goal of completing the dormitory. We need approximately $31,000 more to finish the project. All donations, large or small are appreciated.
These three photos show the progress of our construction to March 20, 2024.
Sierra Leone Action Mission (SLAM) was recently in the Free Press Community Review news! Here’s a short excerpt:
A group of local volunteers is helping orphans half a world away. The Sierra Leone Action Mission (SLAM) is a charitable organization comprised of eight local volunteers who have been diligently fundraising to help build a new orphanage in Koidu in the West African nation. Gerald Sliva and his wife, Cecilia, who live in Royalwood, are part of the group, which is one of several initiatives of Accountable Development Works, a registered Canadian charity based in Winnipeg. The organizers of each initiative of ADW do their own fundraising. The Slivas were first introduced to the project by its driving force, Jason Dudek, when he spoke at their church more than a decade ago.
In the spring of 2023 SLAM was fortunate to have Rosalyn Dao join our volunteer group. Rosalyn is currently attending university and is incredibly knowledgeable and proficient in the use of social media. She creates interesting and attractive posts for our new Facebook and Instagram pages. You can access these at this link: Social Media.
The orphanage continues to encourage academic excellence. Our objective is to enable our children to support themselves and to be leaders in their country. Two former children from the Pearl Dudek Centre are now university graduates and are currently successfully employed.
The orphanage, Pearl Dudek Centre, is in costly rental accommodation. Our goal for 2024 is to build a school addition that will let us “care for more children, better” as this addition will include the orphanage residence on the school property. The school will also continue to expand over time, with the goal of offering full kindergarten through grade 12 classes. Thank you to the generous, major donors who have come forward to give a jumpstart to our plan! Their generosity has allowed us to forge ahead with construction. Take a peek at our planned facility.
The projected cost of this new building is $70,000 Canadian dollars. We have a good start and are confident that with prayers and dollars we will succeed in the completion of this project. This thermometer illustration gives an indication of our construction dollars received so far (from a few very generous donors). Any donations, large or small, are appreciated. Clicking on this link will take you to our donation page: Donate to SLAM. We are committed to using your dollars wisely. Approximately 97% of all donations received go directly to operating the orphanage and school. Every committee member in Canada is a volunteer.
The projected cost of this new building is $70,000 Canadian dollars. We have a good start and are confident that with prayers and dollars we will succeed in the completion of this project. This thermometer illustration gives an indication of our construction dollars received so far (from a few very generous donors). Any donations, large or small, are appreciated. Clicking on this link will take you to our donation page: Donate to SLAM. We are committed to using your dollars wisely. Approximately 97% of all donations received go directly to operating the orphanage and school. Every committee member in Canada is a volunteer.
The pandemic and, more recently, the war in Ukraine have caused severe inflation in Sierra Leone. Food costs have risen by 50% over the past two years.
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!
A reminder that income tax receipts for the 2023 calendar year are sent out in February 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.
• In the spring of 2022, through the generosity of a major donor, solar panels were installed at the school. The teachers and students had access to lighting as well as a television to assist them in their learning. Unfortunately, a break-in resulted in the theft of the solar panels and television in late September. The country is undergoing significant unrest. Food costs have risen by 50% over the past two years.
• Because of the generosity of a major donor, a playground will be built adjacent to the school and a sports program will be implemented. Thank you! This is a major project.
• Many thanks to 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!
• The orphanage continues to encourage academic excellence. Our objective is to enable our children to support themselves and to be leaders in their country. Two former children from the Pearl Dudek Centre are now University graduates and are currently successfully employed.
• A few very generous donors provide funding for post-secondary education of some of the children. The total cost of tuition, books, food, and accommodation is approximately $1500 to $2000 per year. If the spirit moves you, and you have the financial means you may be interested in supporting one or more of the children in their post-secondary education. Contact Maureen at 204-770-5045 or email slam@accountabledevelopment.org for more information.
