Sierra Leone follow-up #3: Leonard Cheshire

Leonard Cheshire School for Children with Polio:

Cheshire is an amazing place that was founded in 1961. Students are so obviously getting a quality education, and the staff is committed to their work. There are currently 40 children that live in dorms and another 38 day students. Our team was able to provide them with a suitcase full of over-the-counter medicines and another filled with toys for the children. Fifty kilo (112 pound) bags of rice were taken to each organization. Our men had been told that the boys would love to be challenged to a game of football (soccer), but that our guys might as well count on losing. Well, we certainly did lose 8 to 2. It was the funniest thing to watch grown men start out being so careful not to hurt the boys on crutches or on the ground, and then, as the boys racked up the points, to see them slinging the boys around in an effort to score. The rougher our men got, the more the boys loved it. It was wonderful to see them not wanting to be treated any differently than “normal” kids. While the guys played soccer the girls enjoyed making beaded necklaces. We toured the facility. The newest dorm was built by Mercy Ships in 2003-04. Several of the missionaries with Mission Direct previously served with this organization. What a joy it was to spend time at Cheshire!