These adorable triplets were taken to Mercy Hospital after the death of their mother in childbirth. Sierra Leone has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, and the death of a parent can have a profound impact on the outcome of the children. The triplets, already smaller than most babies because they shared the womb, were at an increased risk of death and other poor health outcomes. Without their mother’s milk, they were at extreme risk of malnutrition and disease, and with an absent father could also have ended up in an orphanage. 

Fortunately, Sierra Leone is a culture with a high value on families. The children’s Grandmother and Auntie agreed to take them in, and took them to Mercy Hospital to be evaluated and cared for. Mercy referred the triplets to the CRC, who provided them with emergency food support in the form of rice and infant formula. As the children get older, they will be eligible for other support from the CRC like education materials and case management support. For now, they are in the loving hands of their grandmother who knows that there is support available should she need it.

Filming on the documentary, The Root of it All, began Mozambique in April.  This film, funded by a grant from the First Fruit Foundation, will share stories about organizations seeking to transition their orphanages to family care models for children all over Africa.  Filmmakers Samuel Rich and Marianna Mäkiniemi were joined by the films 'stars' and CRC experts David Musa and George Kulanda as they engaged with African Bishops, social workers, orphanage directors, families and children.  Film capture is FUN - the team made use of multiple cameras, lighting, GoPros and even a drone!  Melody Curtiss and I (Laura Horvath) were thrilled to be able to take a very much behind-the-scenes role so that George and David could take center stage in sharing their questions, concerns, and reflections on the important work of transition support.

As the film continues to take shape, we head next to Sierra Leone, where of course we'll tell some of the story of the Child Reintegration Centre's transition and ongoing work to help others learn how to shift from residential to family care models, but we'll also be sharing the stories of at least two other organizations engaged in this journey to better care for children.  We believe that strong, safe, loving and healthy families are at the root of positively changing not just families, but communities, societies, governments, and indeed - healing the world.  

We'll be updating you via this special blog [The Root of It All} and our social media throughout the coming months with behind the scenes photos and stories to give you an advance peek into the development of this important film.  Stay tuned!

                                       Recent Mission/Good News Moments

A special shout-out to the following churches for hosting amazing ministry (Good News) moments in the past couple months with Emmanuel Nabieu.

• Bethel UMC - Thank you for a great weekend of sharing the many ways your church is manifesting God's love. The sermon on the Greatest Commandments, which I call the the "5-Loves") as recorded in Mark 12:30-31 was a great fit for that weekned.

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• Otterbein- Thank you for the invitation to speak at your church and for sharing the work on your Church's Facebook Page. ​

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• First UMC of Colleyville - It was great to be invited to your annual  Family Empowerment Kick-Off Event. Your church has over 70 Family Advocates. This is WOW! It was great to spend the weekend with your church and to hear all about the amazing ways you continue to grow your partnership with Helping Children Worldwide.

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• Ebenezer UMC- Thank you for inviting Yasmine to the the mission trip interest meeting at your church. We continue to appreciate you for all the many ways your church is involved with this ministry. We look forward to having you in Sierra Leone this year on a Mission trip. We are sure that you are going to love it!​​

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• Braddock St. UMC - Thank you for your many years of commitment to this ministry. What a generous congregation! Thank you for the invitation to share the impact of your church partnership with this mission.

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• Church of the Lakes - You started this journey with a capital campaign and you have been deeply engaged ever since.  Thank you for the recent invitation to share the good news moments at all of your services. It was great to see how joyful eveybody was as we talked about the minstry and seeing how each person is playing a role in making things happen. We look forward to having your church on a mission trip in 2024!