By Emmanuel Turay in Kenya.
The Orthodox Church of Jesus Christ (Greek Orthodox) has joined other religious denominations in establishing a branch since 2008 in Sierra Leone.
The church has flourished over the centuries in North Africa where some of the greatest names and events of Christian history were written and has spread into sub Saharan region where it has also played a role in post colonial national construction, most evident in Kenya and the DRC. It has also become present in parts of West Africa including Nigeria and Ghana.
According to the Very Reverend Dr. T. Adamopoulo, in a proposal for the partnership to the government of Sierra Leone through the Sierra Leone Consul General’s office in Nairobi, Kenya; the Orthodox Church believes its now time to introduce its spiritual, humanitarian and development presence in the country.
The proposal for partnership in the development of humanitarian, educational, social and ecclesiastical projects in Sierra Leone takes into consideration what it describes as a crucial post conflict situation which as left the country with some very serious national challenges especially in the area of unemployment and high rates of illiteracy, need of proper educational and training facilities, economic empowerment of women and the training and rehabilitation of amputees, blind children, war widows and other war victims among other things.
The Very Reverend Dr. T. Adamopoulo on behalf of the Orthodox Church in his proposal stated that it is hoped that the presence of the church in Sierra Leone with support of its international donor community will be able to assist in some ways in addressing some of the above issues. The proposal planed to establish a modern philanthropic educational project based on the Nairobi model on a more expanded scale, establish and provide free education and training for a war affected children in Freetown which will be sponsored by the Australian philanthropic organisation Aussies for Orphans.
The mission also plans to establish a kindergarten and primary school system for the poor which would not only provide free, effective and modern educational practices and facilities but which would also provide free hot meals for the children on daily basis including a school for the blind, a tailoring school system for single mothers and war widows, a computer school system throughout the country equipped with updated computers and programmes in training the unemployed youth especially leg amputees and former child soldiers.
The Orthodox mission’s proposal for Sierra Leone also proposed to establish a university college offering free and or subsidised free structures in various specialisations including but not limited to; early childhood development and education, Nursing science, social work computer technology and theological/biblical studies. In addition to educational projects the mission also proposed material assistance such as food, medical and technological items. Health and medical projects are also included for major urban centers of the nation.
Although this mission has been given the go ahead to establish in Sierra Leone since 2008, the partnership based on the proposal echoed that they will only succeed in achieving their goal if the government provides a suitable land in the capital and major urban centers, regular dialogue between the church and government and regulating fair taxation and other duties.
Analysts from the public sector and beneficiaries contacted in Sierra Leone explained that the Orthodox mission’s vision is yet to be put into practice and they are hopeful that they will implemented as proposed.
Let’s give them time and the government to provide conducive atmosphere and the necessary resources for them to operate, said an observer.
Photo: Fr Themistocles during a service in Kenya.
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