Through the generosity of our donors, we collected over £21,000 for the Smiles for Sierra Leone Project. Follow our journey and see how your kindness and compassion made an impact.
The Journey Begins
Salaam,
Pray you and family are well on this blessed day of Jummah.
🛻 Alhamdulillah, we have started our journey Sierra Leone ✈️
🙌🏽 Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, through the grace of the Almighty we have collected over £21,000 🙌🏽
From the bottom of our hearts, a huge thank you. Your generosity is a gift that goes beyond words.. bringing hope and making dreams possible! ❤️
Jzkl to all our donors, supporters and everyone’s duaa’s. May the Almighty accept from us all and accept our intentions and efforts with Ikhlaas. Ameen Ya Rabbal Aalameen 🤲🏼
Duaa’s requested for safe and successful travel In Shaa ALLAH.
Ayaz Gani & Salauddin Shikora
Day 1 & 2 were spent travelling to Sierra Leone, arriving in Freetown on 1 December 2024.
Day 3: Sunday 1 Dec
Alhamdulillah, we landed at Freetown Airport just after midnight on Sunday, arriving from Istanbul. Sheikh and his team greeted us with open arms, and we set off on a two-hour drive to Waterloo which will be our home for the next few days.
As we arrived at Sheikh’s house, we were met with the warmest welcome imaginable. A delicious home-cooked meal was waiting for us under the starlit sky MashaALLAH.
The day has been a quiet one, with most places closed, allowing us time to rest and prepare the orphan gifts from the UK. Tomorrow, In Shaa ALLAH, we will begin with our projects.
As for the weather, it’s hot, with temperatures soaring above 34°C. Quite the contrast from the cool nights in Istanbul and freezing weather in the UK!
May the Almighty accept the hospitality and help us fulfil our purpose with sincerity. Ameen.
Jzkl, Ayaz & Salauddin
Day 4: Monday 2 Dec
We visited York Road Hospital, which specialises in hernia surgeries. Thanks to your generous donations, we funded 7 surgeries, including one for an 8 year old boy who had been suffering since he was 5. He had been waiting for surgery for 3 years, unable to afford it. His hernia kept him from attending school and experiencing a normal childhood. The £200 donation covered his surgery, transport, accommodation, and two weeks of aftercare. Witnessing the extent of the damage caused over the years was heartbreaking, and this surgery will truly be life-changing for him.
We then visited 3 rural villages, where we provided cash handouts to 300 people. Our guide called them “the forgotten people,” as their remote location means few visitors. The homes were basic, made from corrugated metal, wood, or even sticks. No electricity, no water, and only a few people had mobile phones.
The joy on the villagers’ faces as we arrived was overwhelming. Most of the women were home, while the men were out gathering food or working. They live day by day, a stark contrast to how we plan months ahead. The women sang and danced, expressing their gratitude in ways we have never seen before. The joy was genuine and heartfelt.
As we drove, a crowd of children ran alongside the car, their smiles infectious. Our guide explained that their singing was actually a prayer, thanking “the white men” an innocent mix-up, as anyone not black is considered “white” due to their isolation from the outside world.
We concluded the day by visiting the Waterloo Orphanage, where we distributed gifts to 116 orphaned children. Their smiles were a powerful reminder of how even small acts of kindness can make a real difference.
Before retiring to our beds, we joined in preparing the fresh meat from 20 goats for the next day’s communal village feast. The work was a blend of precision and tradition, as the local women prepared to take over for the night shift. With generations-old tribal recipes guiding them, they would transform the meat into a traditional dish that would honor their heritage and bring the entire village together in celebration.
Please remember these people in your precious prayers. Ameen
Jzkl Khairan, Ayaz & Salauddin
Day 5: Tuesday 3 Dec
The morning buzzed with activity as the local women and young girls prepared a meal for over 600 beneficiaries. Even children as young as six eagerly joined in for a share of the reward, helping pack the food into portions for easier distribution. The shared dedication was a moving display of community spirit and generosity.
Meanwhile, young boys worked tirelessly under the scorching 35°C heat, unloading 25kg rice sacks in preparation for the food hamper distribution. Their teamwork and sense of community were truly inspiring.
By lunchtime, the orphanage became a gathering place for an incredible communal feeding. Orphans, villagers, and over 80 individuals from the SEND community, each accompanied by a carer, came together to share a meal of rice and meat. The sight of this diverse congregation breaking bread together was truly humbling.
As food parcels were handed out to the SEND community, the reality of their struggles was impossible to ignore. People with severe mobility challenges carried themselves with dignity, striving for independence despite unimaginable hardships. It was a heartbreaking yet inspiring reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.
The day ended on a joyous note as we introduced fun games to the children, their laughter echoing through the air as the sun came to rest. The smiles we shared felt like a gift, creating memories that will surely linger in our hearts as much as theirs.
Jzkl Khairan, Ayaz & Salauddin
Day 6: Wednesday 4 Dec
The day began with a special Akeekah request, using the meat of two goats to prepare a meal for the 116 orphans living onsite. Later, the children were served this meal, sharing happiness on this auspicious occasion.
We then facilitated 63 circumcisions for families unable to afford the procedure due to poverty. With high rates of STDs and infections caused by poor hygiene and sanitation, the families themselves had requested this support. To ensure proper aftercare, a doctor will remain in the village for a week to provide follow-up treatment.
We took the opportunity to say hello to children in the school near the clinic. The children were delighted to see us! It was evident that the education setting was not we are used to. Around 40 children per class room and the nostalgic chalk and blackboard.
Our journey continued to a remote seaside village, accessible only after a two-hour off-road drive through dense forest. These isolated people, cut off from modern conveniences like mobile networks, received cash handouts for 166 individuals, a lifeline of support in their challenging circumstances.
As part of a sustainable solution, two fishing boats are being constructed for the village using locally sourced wood, with the area governor’s permission. The carpenter will live in the village until the boats are fully finished. These boats will provide long-term benefits for the community.
Before leaving, we gifted toys to the children, filling the village with laughter and excitement.
On our return journey, we stopped to visit the site for two shelter homes funded through this campaign, a promising step toward providing security and stability for vulnerable families. One shelter home consists of 4 small home’s with a living space for up to 4 people.
Jzkl Khairan, Ayaz & Salauddin
Day 7: Thursday 5 Dec
Today was an emotional day as we bid farewell to our deployment in Sierra Leone.
The experience has been humbling, reminding us of how fortunate we are and how much we can give to make a difference. We left with a renewed promise to continue these rewarding acts of kindness and make them a lasting part of our lives.
We completed the distribution of the remaining 43 goats, with the first 20 used for Tuesday’s communal meal and the rest shared as fresh meat with local villagers. For these families, meat is a rare luxury, and their joy at receiving it was a touching reminder of how small gestures can bring immense relief.
Two cataract surgeries were performed; one for a youth and one for an elder, restoring not only their vision but also their independence and hope for the future.
At Waterloo Orphanage, we introduced 10 sewing machines as part of an empowerment project. Tailoring has been added to the curriculum, giving students the chance to learn valuable skills, create their own clothes, and contribute to the orphanage’s sustainability.
Handmade cards from the students of Tuyoorul Jannah brought smiles to the children, their excitement filling the room with warmth. Physical and educational toys added to the joy, delighting both the children and their PE teacher.
Two brand-new TukTuks were delivered. One went to a family struggling to afford basic needs or education for their 16 year old.
The father’s heartfelt words, “You’ve changed our lives forever,” resonated deeply with us. The second TukTuk was allocated to an older orphanage student. A driver will operate the TukTuk, with profits saved to fund future higher education expenses.
The fishing boats and these initiatives represent some of the most impactful projects we’ve undertaken, promoting hope and self-reliance for the community and especially the children. Seeing their brighter outlook on life was incredibly rewarding.
As we reflect on this journey, we carry with us the resilience, kindness, and gratitude of the people we met. Despite the challenges they face daily, *their strength inspires *us to continue striving for a better world.
Jzkl khairan, Ayaz & Salauddin
