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p6arishioners opens arms to refugees from Sierra leone
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“Within a few days we had raised $25,000.
“We are very blessed to have such a generous community.”
As well as Our Lady of the Rosary parishion- ers coming to Kingsley’s aid, the parish confer- ence of the St Vincent’s de Paul Society quickly agreed to cover the cost of the youngster’s books and uniforms.
Ms Shakespeare said her connection with Sierra Leone stretched back 11 years when she made a “life-changing” visit to the country researching how women’s groups could start micro-businesses.
“Manjia’s mum was my mentor at that time,” she said.
“Every day she would look after me, make sure I had water and was comfortable and invited me to their home. That is when I met Manjia.”
Since then Ms Shakespeare has become com- mitted to helping orphaned children in Sierra Leone and she has set up The Fig Tree Children, a grassroots charity to empower children and communities to overcome extreme poverty and reach their potential.
The charity links sponsors with 54 orphans inside the west African nation to pay for their schooling and for carers.
Sierra Leone was gripped by a decade-long
civil war, the “Blood Diamonds” war, and then was overwhelmed by the Ebola virus.
Both these tragedies created waves of orphans, estimated to be more than 12,000.
Sierra Leone is amongst the world’s poorest countries, with a young population – 42 per cent are under 14 years of age; 61 per cent are under 24 – so education is critical if the country is to rebuild.
In her home of Bo, the country’s second- largest city, Ms Koroma is a member of the St Francis Xavier parish, and is a carer of village children in desperate need.
They are now part of her extended family.
Ms Koroma helps put them through school, and receives a small amount of government money to do that.
While she is studying in Brisbane, she hopes to also work up to 20 hours a week to send money home to support her family.
“It’s not an easy task, but with the Lord I hope to get through,” Ms Koroma said.
During her Brisbane stay, she hopes to em- brace parish life at Our Lady of the Rosary.
She has already signed on to the parish rosters.
“I just like giving out my gifts – proclaiming the Word of God,” she said.
Enquiries about donating to help Kingsley and Manjia Koroma can be made to Mr Oberthur at www.olr.kenmore.qld.edu.au
www.catholicleader.com.au
The Catholic Leader, August 27, 2017
I just like giving out my gifts – proclaiming the Word of God.
Generous help: Brisbane sponsor Jane Shakespeare and Kingsley Koroma.
Photo: Mark Bowling