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.
Accountable Development Works (ADW)’s SLAM Project in Sierra Leone, West Africa, needs committee volunteers. ADW believes in empowering local actors and projects, and has won recognition from the Canadian, UK and EU governments as a model of best practices in International Development. We believe projects must be accountable to beneficiaries to be effective and sustainable. Those closest to the effects of decisions should be making them.
We are looking for International Development students to contribute energy, ideas, and social media skills. We can offer valuable, high-level project management experience through participation in our Canadian-side project committee. Site visits to Sierra Leone and related opportunities are also available, though most of the project management work is done right here in Winnipeg.
In March 2022 the Pearl Dudek International Academy held a day to familiarize parents and local dignitaries with the progress of the recently constructed school. Speeches were given and the children provided a short program for the entertainment of all.
In April, 2022 Jason traveled to Sierra Leone. While there he visited the orphanage and school, taking the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of two role models and former residents of the Pearl Dudek Centre. Abraham Jimmy graduated in early in 2021 with a MPhil. Degree in Health System research and management and is currently employed as a lecturer at the University of Makeni. As well, he provides financial guidance, budgeting and support to the orphanage and school. Finda Gbembo graduated in early 2022 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Finance. She is currently employed with Lion Mountain Agriculture as a Junior Accountant. As well she provides mentoring and support to others in the orphanage, encouraging them to dream big and achieve even more. Below are a couple of inspiring two minute videos of the orphanage and Jason’s visit.
