Thank you to all of you who have generously donated to support FA, Nasio, Makia and Satu. Despite the challenging situation in Sierra Leone, FA and the family are doing okay, and managing as best as they can. I have been sending them some of the funds raised through this foundation to ensure that they have enough food and clean drinking water - and FA has been asking me to express her thanks and appreciation to all of you who are contributing.

The Ebola virus is still spreading, and unlike neighbouring Liberia and Guinea, there is little sign of improvement. The schools are still closed, and sadly, there is little information about when they will reopen.

On a more positive note, Nasio just had his thirteenth birthday! As you can see, has really grown in the last year (unfortunately this picture quality isn't great).

Nasio, Makia and Satu

FA, with Satu (left), Nasio and Makia (right)

Christmas is fast approaching and FA tells me that it will be a quiet one this year, spent at the compound instead of the beach. We hope to send out a little contribution to ensure that the family can enjoy the day together.

Thank you again for supporting FA and the kids - it really is a great help, especially at such a difficult time.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas,
From all of us.xx

A call for help

People in Sierra Leone are facing one of the most desperate times of their lives. The Ebola virus is now spreading across Freetown, and this is having a severe knock on effect on entire families - my family.

As well as looking after her own family, my mother-in-law, Auntie Fanta, takes in orphans and vulnerable children and spends her life looking after their needs.  At any one time there can be over 20 people staying at her family home in a compound in Freetown.

There is no shortage of love in this family, but resources are very scarce.

Food prices have drastically gone up, schools have closed down and Auntie Fanta is needed to stay at home to look after the children, rather than run her coal business to earn some money.

She is completely selfless, but is struggling to provide the basic needs for the children in her compound. Food, clean water and soap is scarce so any donation, no matter how small, will help support them at this needy time.

Just £20 can cover three basic meals and drinking water for all the children for one day.

The Nasio foundation was set up in 2008 to help fund the children's education in Freetown, to set them up for a better future.

But now, the foundation is looking for donations to help support the family and keep the children safe and well.

Sadly, just this week Auntie Fanta attended several of her friends’ funerals, she has been to more funerals in the last few weeks than she has in the past year.

It is a very sad, devastating situation – and this is why we are asking for your help.  

Anything you can give will go a long way to keeping them safe.

Thank you for your continued support.

 

Ebola Outbreak - update on FA and the family

Thank you to all of you for your emails and calls in the last few months, expressing concerns for FA, Nasio, Makia, Satu and the rest of the family during the Ebola outbreak. All of the family are currently well, and are managing as best as they can do in the situation they find themselves.

As you can imagine, it is a very difficult time for the family - and for all residents of Sierra Leone. Aside from the Ebola virus scare, which has cause Sierra Leone to declare a state of emergency - families are also struggling with restrictions in movements and extremely high increases in the cost of food.

The Nasio Foundation's primary objective is to support Nasio, Makia and Satu through school however, given the extreme situation, we will be offering some additional support to FA to ensure that the entire family stay well and healthy through this difficult time.

I will keep you updated on how FA and the kids are doing - and thank you once again for your continued support. We all really appreciate it.