Sierra Leone

Gerry Smith presented slides from his recent trip to Sierra Leone where he and others helped with general medical and educational aid to the city of Kabala.  Kabala is a city of about 40,000 people in northern Sierra Leone. 
70 % of the people in Sierra Leona are below the poverty level.   Life expectancy is 46 years of age and the literacy rate is about 35%.  Electricity, potable water, and sanitary sewers do not exist outside the capital city. 
SEED, a non profit based in Colorado, United Methodist congregations from Colorado and Indiana built a health clinic and schools in Kabala.  The clinic is the only one in a 40 mile radius of Kabala.  The major health problems include Malaria, Cholera, intestinal parasites and malnutrition.  The groups hope to establish teacher training.  The cost of a scholarship for a teacher is $400.  Student tuition is about $100 per year.  If you are interested in helping contact Bradley United Methodist Church.