Day 1
Alhamdulillah, our charity day began by focusing on health and ended with moments of pure joy.
🏥 Stop 1: Jawara Hernia Clinic
We started at the Hernia Operation Centre, a crucial place of healing. Among the 20 patients was a 3-year-old child who had traveled three hours for the surgery – their family’s gratitude was overwhelming. We also met patients spanning generations, including an elderly man, nearly 80, and several women. All equally grateful for this life-changing medical care.
Hernia repair is one of the most important and common surgical needs in Sierra Leone. Manual intense labour is one of the main reasons these exist. Most of the time these are left untreated due to cost and also a shortage of surgeons.
⚽ Stop 2: Joy at the Orphanage
Next, we visited our own Waterloo Orphanage for a special delivery. We handed out gifts to the children:
The boys were excited to receive football shirts new footballs, bags and skipping ropes.
The girls received bags containing necklaces, art packs, watches, lego and skipping ropes and a writing board.
The delight was evident on every face. MashaALLAH, these incredible moments of happiness led to many smiles for Sierra Leone that we will never forget!
A very wholesome experience and start to this deployment through your generous donations Alhamdulillah.
Day 2
Hope Found in the Forest
The drive took us deep into the area of Khoya Cheifdom outside Waterloo to reach the forgotten. It was a day of profound human connection.
The Power of A Smile 🙂
In the morning, Alhamdulillah we brought a wave of pure joy to children in the orphanage at BAYT AR RAHMAH, the school, and surrounding villages. We handed out gifts on behalf of and educational toys on behalf of Heal Humanity and the result was overwhelming. Hundreds of beaming smiles that confirmed the deepest impact of our work.
A Lifeline for Families
In the afternoon, we transitioned to providing vital support, giving your zakat as cash handouts to approximately 240 vulnerable individuals.
This direct assistance is a powerful lifeline, translating into days without the agonizing worry of hunger. In Shaa ALLAH, it gives families dignity and a much-needed moment of peace.
Every act of kindness made possible by our donors delivered hope and sustenance to a community that needs it most.
Day 3
The Gift of Sight
Started with a long drive to the Eye Hospital in Freetown where the team completed 20 life-changing cataract operations. Elderly patients, who had waited long for this procedure, were deeply grateful and offered many dua’s to our donors.
The surgeon explained the procedure, and the team was allowed to scrub up and view the operations from within the theatre, witnessing the powerful impact of restoring sight firsthand.
Reflection
The long return journey highlighted Freetown’s underdeveloped infrastructure and gave the team extended time for deep reflection on the contrasts witnessed and how grateful we are for what we have Alhamdulillah. The journey back to base served as an eye opener and highlighted the challenges faced by the local community and reinforced the purpose of our work – to empower those living with natural poverty.
In fundraising news
MashaALLAH the team has secured 70+ goats.. for sadakah which is set to be completed on Thursday In Shaa ALLAH.
We thank everyone for their speedy and generous responses.
Jzkl
Day 4
Performing a religious obligation
Our day began with the organisation of over a hundred circumcision procedures for families from remote villages. As parents arrived carrying their young sons, the centre filled with a sense of anticipation, relief, and quiet hope.
Each procedure was carried out in a safe, supervised environment, with access to a doctor and three days of follow-up care. This ensured the boys received the medical attention they deserve, protecting them from infection and potential complications. Beyond the procedure itself, this was a vital act of communal care and responsibility.
To help ease the anxiety of the children as they waited, we offered them a football — a simple gesture that brought wide smiles and provided a welcome distraction from the intensity of the day.
Alhamdulillah, these procedures will be completed over a couple of dedicated days.
The Challenge of the Forest Road
In the early afternoon, we set off for our second stop, venturing deep into the forest. The journey itself became a testament to the country’s challenging infrastructure. We navigated a notorious dirt track, literally a mix of heavy clay and sand. It was slow going, and the road finally defeated us. The heavy use by sand delivery trucks had gouged deep ruts into the ground, and our vehicle became hopelessly stuck, unable to proceed any further.
As we stood there, suspended in the dense, silent forest, we drew an unexpected crowd. Children and adults watched, many of whom were seeing people of a different colour for the very first time – a truly humbling moment that reminded us how remote this location was. A few kind men tried to dig us out, but the ground was simply too soft.
A Powerful Lesson in Perspective
Time seemed to truly stand still and the reality of being stranded overnight was a genuine fear. Our relief was immense when, Alhamdulillah, a digger arrived and rescued us. We were profoundly grateful. We then decided to make the most of our stranded location, distributing our aid to the crowd that had gathered. We shared cash donations with around 90 people, along with toys and much-loved football shirts, all of which were received with immense gratitude.
Today was not what we planned, but it was perhaps exactly what we needed. Struggling with something as basic as a road and breakdown assistance brought a powerful, emotional realisation of how much we take for granted back home. It deepened our empathy and commitment, reminding us that simple things like a passable footpath or a quick rescue service are luxuries. We headed back in the evening, exhausted but filled with a new level of gratitude for our blessings.
Day 5
Spreading Joy and Immediate Relief
Our final day was filled with heart melting moments. Starting with a significant number of goats for sadaqah, Alhamdulillah, 68 goats sacrificed by the travelling team themselves. The meat was distributed providing a much needed meat dish for families. Some of whom may not have had meat in their meals for months.
The team was dedicated to bringing smiles to the faces of the youngest and most vulnerable: toys were distributed to all the children at the Waterloo Orphanage, and another delivery of toys and football shirts brought excitement to a further 40 orphans.
Alongside these joyful moments, essential aid was delivered through food pack distribution to the special needs community. This was supported with zakat cash distributions offering a lifeline to people with disabilities, widows, vulnerable adults and those in debt.
Building Futures and Lasting Hope
The mission also cemented its commitment to long-term change and sustainability. The team secured critical assets for the Empowerment Project, acquiring Tuk-tuks and a kiosks. One kiosk receivers eyes lit up with pure joy as she saw the kiosk, a dream made real. She couldn’t stop smiling, dancing with gratitude, already imagining the future she could build. It was a moment of hope, opportunity, and endless possibilities – SubhanALLAH, what an experience to witness.
These are more than just vehicles and structures; they represent hope and the tools for families to establish independent, sustainable livelihoods – joy that has no price!
The emotional impact of the housing project was evident during a visit to the existing shelter home, where the team met the new owners – witnessing firsthand the profound security and happiness a safe home provides. To ensure the mission continues to grow, crucial new land was successfully acquired, securing the site for future shelter homes and expanding the reach of this life-changing project.
This concludes our journey with ongoing work all year round.
Jzkl for your duaa’s, contributions, support, may the Almighty accept from us all. Remember the ummah in your precious duaa’s for patience and ease In Shaa ALLAH Ameen.
