This is a record of completed and finished projects. To see information about the current projects that Open Book are undertaking in partnership with the Magnificent Seven, click here.
A prosthetic leg for Philip
Philip works as a bricklayer for Ian, undeterred by the traffic accident in 2016 which led to an above-knee amputation of one leg. He was feeling self-conscious about his disability in social situations and asked if we might help. Heather led a fundraising initiative and within a few days, funds were raised.
Tools for the Magnificent Seven
We were able to equip the Magnificent Seven with the tools they needed to earn themselves some income. This project is now complete. Read the story below to find out what happened and see the acknowledgement of all those who helped.
The Cheshire Home was hugely generous in equipping the Magnificent Seven with skills in tailoring and shoe-making and in helping with rent when they moved into rented accommodation in 2018, but they were unable to help with tools. At first, it was a ‘hand-to-mouth’ existence as there is no welfare benefit system and they had to earn money for food and save for the next rent payment. Each member of the group set out their reasons for seeking help with launching their business and specified the tools they needed.
In response, we collected and shipped a stack of hand-crank sewing machines, along with a load of handtools donated by Workaid. Rob from the Derby Box Company generously gave us a shipping case and then made three more at cost price.
While arranging this, we made contact with Clumber Hall church in Nottingham and ended up helping them to send 150 sewing machines to Tools with a Mission and 50 display stands to Holy Trinity church. We do not need any more tools.
Here are some of the things we found out along the way:
(i) Power tools are no use, as electricity from the grid is intermittent in Freetown and the voltage fluctuates so most people use noisy generators.
(ii) Worn saws do not cut the local hardwood that is commonly in use.
(iii) Donations are no good without also getting the money to pay shipping costs. Anyway, it is better to support local business by buying in country if possible.
(iv) We failed to obtain a set of shoe lasts. They cost hundreds of pounds and are only available if you are willing to buy multiple sets at once.
(v) We heard a rumour that old yoga mats can be used in the construction of flip flop soles. The local Nuffield Health Gym kindly donated some, but there is no sign yet that the material has been of any real use.
(vi) Lansana decided not to take up the offer of business coaching from Ian and Heather. This has been a hard decision, but Ian and Heather will only coach people who commit – and we appreciate Lansana’s dogged independence!
Solar energy for Ian and Heather
Thanks to everyone who helped raise £700 to buy a pair of solar panels and the associated batteries for Ian and Heather’s house. This dramatically improved their access to electrical power.
Solar Street Lights
Julric, the elected head man of York Village, where Ian and Heather live, and his neighbour, Prince, the head man of Bureh Beach, shared their vision for village improvement. They want to erect street lights around their villages, so that people will be able to spot any snakes when they are moving around at night, so the children will be able to do their homework after the sun goes down at 7pm, and so that residents feel more pride in their village.
We offered to matchfund so our end was £60 per light. We received generous donations from local businesses, the late Foxhill Community Church, Henry’s Lamppost Appreciation Society, Bulwell United Reformed Church, the Christian Women’s Fellowship, and St Nic’s. Lights were erected in both villages.
Here are some of the lessons learnt from this project:
(i) Matchfunding helps us to gauge the level of local commitment where this is a concern. After some solar lights were erected, the Head Men in both villages accepted alternative offers of fossil fuel lights, so, after numerous attempts to obtain the matching funds, we had four streetlights left over. There was a need for external security lights at the nearby Hope Academy for Girls, so we donated these lights to the school.
(ii) We also had some money left over and learnt that any appeal should always include a contingency plan explaining what will happen to donations if the original plan does not work out. Every penny of the leftover funds was spent on supplying solar lanterns to the students at Hope Academy.
Surgery for Abu
Abu is a member of the Magnificent Seven. He found an orthopaedic surgeon in Freetown willing to operate on his legs and fit callipers, which have enabled him to use crutches for the first time in his life instead of a hand-crank wheelchair. As there are few pavements or lifts in Freetown, this increased his mobility,
In 2018, our fundraising appeal was hosted by Medical Assistance Sierra Leone and we raised sufficient funds to pay for Abu’s surgery and rehabilitation in Spring 2019.
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