David spent the month in Sierra Leone getting a first-hand look at the progress and success that is being made because of our faithful donors.
A message from David Sawaneh in Sierra Leone
The following is an update from Joseph Mansaray, Teneba’s Haven, Inc., Sierra Leone, Africa
Our Donors/Sponsors.
Teneba’s Haven vocational School and Oxen Project is delighted to report that our oxen are 8 years old now, and for the past four (4) years, have helped our rice farmers significantly by plowing more farmlands, thereby increasing rice production for our communities. This year alone, the oxen plowed about 180 acres of swampland for farmers. Proceeds derived from plowing are used for veterinarian fees, accessories for oxen, as well as compensation for oxen handlers/keepers. To that end, I am pleased to report that the oxen project is self-sustainable. We hope to transition to mechanical farming someday when power tiller machines become available, replacing the aged oxen.
The school has completed a community engagement meeting including stakeholders, seeking everyone’s cooperation in influencing community members to bring their sewing needs to our school. This will create income for sewing supplies. Also, we were able to meet with the District Chairman for Koinadugu District Council, as well as the Minister of the Environment, seeking their attention to help direct sewing projects to our vocational school.
Staff stipend for September are fully paid. Thanks for making this possible.
From Mr. Joseph Mansaray, Project Officer for Teneba’s Haven:
Mr. Mansaray also expressed his gratitude for COR’s continued support of the school.
As the institute continues to successfully educate their students in math, language arts, and tailoring, there remain
challenges:
Still, the most urgent challenge for the school is not financial. It’s the fading membership on the Teneba’s Haven board.
Several highly dedicated people have served and shared in the school’s vision since it was just a thought. They need to pass their efforts into new hands. The school needs those willing to pray for and share ideas on the school’s needs, funding, and future.
Please prayerfully consider if you are one of those people. If you are drawn to know more, or can share in a vision for the school’s future-please contact David Sawaneh at (813) 850-4610.
This is to inform you that 8 out of the 12 needed sewing machines and some supplies arrived safely in the mountainous district town of Kabala, about 7 miles to our vocational school in Sulaimania. The machines will be transported to the center and assembled by the weekend. 4 more machines needed at $ 210.00 a piece. Thanks to you for your donation and approval to use $ 1,850.00 for the above purchase.
UPDATE: Our newly purchased sewing machines have been assembled and ready for use. We have also been blessed by a Board member who has offered to purchase the remaining four machines needed for the school year.
Dear Mr. Sawaneh & Board Members,
It pleases me to update you on the significant development that has taken place for the new school year at Teneba’s Haven Vocational Institute in Sulaimania Village. On the 6thSeptember 2021, we started the 2021/2022 school calendar with a very good turnout from both staff and students. We are optimistic and working tirelessly to see that we accomplish the organizational goals. Below are some things that have taken place:
We remain grateful and praying for God’s blessings and protection as you continue to help the less privileged.
URGENT NEEDS AT TENEBA’S HAVEN VOCATIONAL INSTITUTE
Sewing supplies
Additional school furniture
Additional sewing machines
General maintenance of machines.
Printer
Stipend increase
Stationary
(Note: Above list extracted from the full list published earlier in August.)
From: Joseph Mansaray
Project Officer Teneba’s Haven, Sierra Leone.
– Submitted by Joseph Mansaray. Project Officer, Teneba’s Haven, Inc., Sierra Leone
Dear Mr. Sawaneh & Esteemed Board Members:
It is with great pleasure for me to keep you updated on some of our achievements for the month of June 2021. We were able to accomplish the following:
Teneba’s Haven Vocational Institute can now boast of having over 50% of its students who can take correct measurement, cut various designs, as well as sew their own uniforms. As your project officer, I am happy to report that the Institute has brought about transformation of so many female youths by restoring their hopes at so many levels. Therefore, on behalf of our staff, students and the communities we serve, I hereby thank our esteem board members & donors for this hope-given institute. May God bless and protect you all. Below are some photos:
– Submitted by Joseph Mansaray. Project Officer, Teneba’s Haven, Inc., Sierra Leone
Dear Mr. Sawaneh & esteemed board members & donors:
I am delighted to send you this significant and fruitful visitation report by our administrative assistant, Mr. Musa Beretay (March 30th to April 4th 2021)
Purpose:
Download the full report here.
– Submitted by Joseph Mansaray. Project Officer, Teneba’s Haven, Inc., Sierra Leone
Since its opening in January 2021, Teneba’s haven vocational Institute has made significant progress in the training process in tailoring and most of our students are doing extremely well in performing required basic tailoring skills. The Institute is all-female students who either never went to school, dropped out of school or did not complete grade school and have at least one or more children. Almost all our students can now cut and sew masks, various size curtains, simple dresses, fixing buttons, zippers and more. We have ten sewing machines serving 32 students while the remaining 20 students are placed on the waiting list until machines become available. The staff and students hereby thank you all for making this ministry a viable one. Despite our achievement and progress, Teneba’s haven is facing many other challenges.
Listed below are some of our needs:
Presently teachers and security personnel are getting a monthly stipend which is half or less than half of the recommended government minimum salary. This generosity from our staff will end this school year. Once again, our staff, students and the communities we serve thank our donors wholeheartedly, for this great life-saving project.
Download the full report here.
– Submitted by Joseph Mansaray. Project Officer, Teneba’s Haven, Inc., Sierra Leone
On the 27th January, 2021 the teachers started the tasks that were assigned to them: teaching of both the theoretical and practical aspect of tailoring. We normally start the school session with an assembly and prayer time wherein the students will have the opportunity to listen to a short exhalation from the Holy Bible by the project officer, Joseph Mansaray. Meanwhile, the school is run from Monday to Friday between the hours of 9:00 Am to 14:00 Pm daily. There is a thirty minute lunch.
Our staff is doing their best in sharing the 10 new sewing machines, one over-lock machine, one press button machine and some important materials that were recently purchased, enabling 35 students to train as they take turns to learn various skill in using the machines and equipment.
We also succeeded in getting the bulls (OXEN PROJECT) two new nose rings that will enable them to work adequately in the next farming season. Please note that the oxen project is self-sufficient and does not require funding from our donors. New flash-lights were purchased for our two security personnel to help ease their work in securing the building and assets of the organization.
On behalf of the team in Sierra Leone, we express our thanks and appreciation to the chairman, board members, church family and all donors helping to make such dreams become a reality.
Monday, 25th January 2021 marks a historic day at Teneba’s Haven. The long-awaited vocational institute whose foundation was dug on December 16, 2017 is officially open to the public for tailoring at Sulaimania Village in Koinadugu District, Sierra Leone.
In attendance were representatives from the two host Paramount Chiefs, the Deputy Director of Education, the Koinadugu District Council Chairperson, the Station Manager, Radio Bintumani, Kabala Town, Police Partnership Board, Sierra Leone Teachers’ Union, town chiefs and key community stakeholders, as well as residents from surrounding villages.
The entire occasion was of great success because all in attendance were happy about the developments coming into these impoverished communities. Stakeholders, staff and students promised to keep the facilities in a “healthy state” so that the organization’s goals are met. All in attendance expressed their thanks and appreciation to the Chairman, Board Members and all those who support this hope-giving ministry. In his remarks, the Chairman for this occasion, Steven Bockarie Mansaray, emphasized that we give our love and loyalty to see that Teneba’s Haven succeeds.
We are excited to announce that we now have 3 teachers and 52 students ready to go when Teneba’s Haven Vocational School opens on Monday, January 4, 2021. We are in need of additional sewing machines (we have 6 simple and 1 designer) and sewing supplies. Please contact us if you can help.
Teneba’s Haven announces job opening for teachers “who are suitably qualified to teach the following subject areas: Tailoring (both theoretical & practical), Literacy & Numeracy and General Paper.
We have our initial 6 pedal-driven sewing machines being tested by Miss Isha Daramy (over 25 yrs experience) and her team. Looking forward to an exciting year as we prepare to open our hope-giving vocational institute.
Most recent state of Teneba’s Haven Vocational Bldg. Sample furniture for students’ sitting accommodation.
Interior painting in progress at Teneba’s Haven Vocational School.
Despite continuous heavy rains, our newly hired Joseph is working hard to insure work at the school is ongoing. Please see photos of how the grass almost took over the surrounding building and how the construction of gutters are making a difference.
Installing face boards and more
Gathering stones to fill remaining section of school foundation.
Unloading rocks for remaining portion of foundation. We lost a tire, punctured by a sharp stump.
Projected for 2018, Teneba’s Haven is working for Vocational Training to be offered in tie dying, embroidering & tailoring. The area was canvassed for possible applicants & the results were overwhelmingly in favor. A site for the school is in the works. Once trained, materials will be dyed & various clothing will be created for local sales & possibly marketed here in the States. Pedal Driven Sewing Machine costs available upon request. Further info to follow. Donations now being accepted.
