Concord Times (Freetown)
Ibrahim Jaffa Condeh
18 November 2008
Freetown — Director of mission direct told Concord Times that his organization was constructing a new home at the city of rest in Grafton to accommodate 70 more people.
There more than forty names on the waiting list to be enrolled at city of rest and of late they have decided to admit for only day care as there are no place to accommodate permanent dwelling.
Reverend Simon Farmer from the UK said Mission Direct is in the country as a signpost to Jesus Christ and his love for the people of Sierra Leone .
Ten mission direct volunteers from the UK are in Sierra Leone to help the construction moves at a faster pace. They are renovating the existing buildings and helping to build the new home. Three acres of land for the new building was given to city of rest by government.
"The construction experts are here for ten days," Farmer said, adding that "serving Christ will also entail constructing home for the needy and the painting of the constructed walls."
Farmer said: "Mission direct has now spent four years in Sierra Leone, seeking the interests of street children and the organization is presently working with city of rest for the love of Christ."
Alison Marsh, team leader of mission direct's Sierra Leone team said she was appalled by the manner city of rest operates, which is quite differ from what happens with the mentally ill in the UK . "The mentally ill are medically treated in the UK but in Sierra Leone , people are treated spiritually," she said.
"Our guests are here to see how people live in the home, so as to facilitate the acquisition of funds when they get back to home," she said.
Hellen Van Den Brink, a volunteer at city of rest, said they care for 40 mentally ill patients-nine women and 31 men. "The home depends more on spiritual prayers for the patients and counseling them through the word of God as most of them in the home are victims of drug addiction and other mental problems," she said.
Brink said: "The major challenge the home is faced with is funding, the government is not funding us directly. We got funds through some local churches and individuals who donate to the home."
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