By Ann Carlson: Coordinator, Baiwalla, Sierra Leone Ministry 

Minnesota Methodists enable Ormsby School Students to get an education

Since 1989,OC Ministries has provided a coordinating service for Minnesota Methodists to contribute money that transforms the lives of families in 4 developing countries: Sierra Leone, Liberia, Haiti and Jamaica. Millions of dollars and hundreds of barrels of goods have been shipped to these ministries.  Thousands of lives have been transformed by Minnesota Methodists.

When you donate money or goods to a school in a developing country, your donation changes the lives of families and benefits ripple throughout the community.  Children can attend a school with good teachers and abundant teaching materials.  Some of the parents have steady jobs working for the school.  Over time, the students learn skills to support themselves and boost the economy of their town.  Following are 5 stories telling how your donations have changed the lives of Baiwalla, Sierra Leone families

Ministry via a Repaired Truck

Two years ago the Baiwalla ministry’s truck broke down.  There was no money to pay for repairs.  As a result, the program lost a valuable contributor to its ministry.  The Well United Methodist Church of Rosemount donated money for repairing the truck. It’s on the move again! In its first month, it has taken several people to the hospital. It has hauled food commodities for the Ormsby School lunch program. It has picked up supplies for planting the school garden.  

A truck is an essential tool for ministry in Baiwalla as it serves many purposes: an ambulance, a school bus, and a commodity hauler. Without a truck, the Baiwalla ministry has to hire transportation at a significant extra cost.  Who knew how important a repaired truck could be to ministry!

Ministry via Learning Materials

In March 2024, 4 experienced teachers hauled to Baiwalla 6 giant suit cases full of “hands on” learning materials such as puzzles, learning games, flash cards, balls and jump ropes.These materials were donated by people from Good Samaritan UMC and Hennepin Ave, UMC. The missionary-teachers conducted workshops showing teachers how to  use the hands-on learning materials.  According to Pastor Judith, current  Sierra Leonian educational practices center around teacher-focused lectures and memorization.  However, the  educational system has developed a new curriculum based on “hands on” learning which is known to produce students with skills in analysis, problem solving and creativity.  As a result of the donated materials and workshops, the Ormsby School teachers are further ahead in learning new ‘hands on” teaching strategies compared with other schools in Sierra Leone.

Ministry via Providing Books for a library

Most schools in Sierra Leone do not have school libraries.  But thanks to the generous donation of books by Good Samaritan UMC, Hennepin Avenue UMC, Anoka UMC  and many other individual United Methodists, the Ormsby School has a school library filled with story books of all reading levels.  The teachers are thrilled to be able to bring their students to the library for a reading session and an opportunity to borrow a book to take home.  Hopefully, Ormsby Students will develop a “reading habit” which will help them continue to be life long learners.

Ministry via growing vegetables to eat for lunch

Imagine the joy of eating peppers and tomatoes you grew yourself!  Thanks to the donations from LeSueur UMC and several individuals, the Ormsby Students have an agricultural teacher and farm manager who can teach the latest gardening methods and nutrition.  The students take these new ideas home to their parents who may begin implementing new gardening practices in  growing the family’s food.

Ministry via establishing a sewing skills lab

All the supplies that are needed for clothing construction and repair were donated by people from New Ulm, Anoka UMC, Good Samaritan UMC and Hennepin Ave. UMC. In addition, 4 sewing machines were donated and shipped via barrels.  In the photo, students practice basic hand sewing skills such as hemming a garment, repairing a ripped seam or sewing on a button. Later they will learn to use a sewing machine and construct a garment.