No place like home

The remaining children in the residential program enjoyed spending Sierra Leone Independence day with their families, returning with stories and good news.  

Norman Koroma and his sister Kadijah will soon be reunified to live with their extended family.  “I am very happy to go and see my family and friends at home and within the community,” Norman exclaimed.  He played football with his friends, and was very happy to meet with other boys in the community.

Norman and Kadijah enjoyed a special meal of fish balls, rice and soup prepared by their aunt.  They went to church on Sunday, and afterwards he had lunch with his grandmother at home. “I am also very grateful that the CRC has been sending me home to connect back with my relatives. Now I can go to the community with a sense of belonging, and not as a complete stranger," Norman said.

Janet Musa also enjoyed the Independence holiday with her parents, brothers, and sisters at home, where they played the "lodo" game and enjoyed a meal of cassava leaf.  On Saturday, Janet helped her mother wash her clothes and went with her grandmother to visit her uncle. On Sunday, Janet and her sisters went to church.  

For Janet, the most fun was playing stone ball with her sisters and friends at home. “I look forward to going back to my forever family soon. I am happy for the CRC for tracing my family and connecting me with them."

Edwina Davies spent her holiday visit with her grandmother. On Independence Day her grandmother prepared her favorite food, rice and cassava leaves with oil. “My grandmother is living with my five cousins. The whole family was very happy to have me join them on that weekend.  My cousins and I played a lot just like we did at CRC.  In the morning, I am the first to get up from my bed and woke everybody up for devotion. After the devotion, I greeted everybody at home. My grandmother told my cousins to copy my good examples of saying thank you, praying at devotions and greeting everybody in the morning," Edwina said proudly.

Abdulai Dakowa spent his holiday with his mother Saffie Dakowa, his elder brother Lahai, and his younger sister Nyalima. Abdulai said his family was very happy to have him spend the holiday with them.  On Independence Day, their family attended a morning service at church.

Abdulai enjoyed participating in family activities.  “During my stay with them, I always helped my mother in the evening hours to water the plants in the garden. My mother is a gardener. She sells  potato leaves and krain, and uses the income for food and school lunch for the family. I also helped my brother to clean the house.  After we have finished all our house chores we studied together. Thank God to the CRC for teaching me all these domestic activities, and for connecting me with my family,"