Well-known photographer in our community, Alexios Gennaris, has organised a fundraiser to support the Zinc House Kids of Sierra Leone and provide over 100 children with a Christmas gift.
“After five visits to the mission of Bishop Themistocles Adamopoulos and the Zinc House Kids of Freetown, our work continues,” Alexios says.
“We have now visited Sierra Leone in different weather conditions; in December we had the humidity and pollution, February was the dry season and more bearable, and June was the start of the rainy season but the most hazardous. On the night before we left in June 2024, we witnessed zinc houses belonging to our families, burn down with the fire brigade powerless to save them. This left the families homeless and without clothes and money. In order to best see how to support people there, we need to be in the thick of it, and we really were that night.”
Three years ago, Alexios started sending food, clothes (including Islamic dresses and head scarves), books, medicine and other essential items. These have been primarily for the Zinc House Kids (photo) and their families, as well as the mission’s clinics, schools and orphanages. More recently, 10 desktop computers with monitors were sent, as well as 4 large folding tables with 12 seats each, 11 large school tables, playground and nursery equipment and much more.
Alexios said, “During our 2023 visit to see the zinc house kids, we met a woman who after a severe stroke in 2017 had lost the use of her legs. She had spent 6 years sleeping on the floor and unable to leave her windowless zinc house. On our return we managed to send her a new wheelchair, bed and commode. The tailor at the zinc houses also asked if we could send him a few cotton reels for his sewing machine. We managed to find around 50 industrial size cotton reels and thousands of buttons. This donation allowed him to continue supporting his family and friends.”
Financial support has paid for school and university fees, exams, school uniforms and equipment, medicine, hospital tests, yearly rent, food, mobile phones, setting up businesses, Christmas and birthday presents, weddings and sadly funerals and a gravestone.
The most difficult aspect of helping the mission and Zinc House Kids is locating the funds. Here are examples of some of our costs which are almost weekly.
£50 – £60 will treat malaria and typhoid as well as other diseases.
£10 is the equivalent of 1 week’s wages and will pay for 15 “square meals”.
£10 will buy a party dress and shoes.
£40 – £80 will pay for one term at school.
£50 will pay the freight cost to Sierra Leone of a large suitcase.
Alexios added, “We are also in desperate need of all children’s ‘off-the-shelf’ medicines and vitamins, sanitary towels, ibuprofen tablets and gels, paracetamol, old suitcases and large holdalls.
“Currently we are collecting for Christmas envelopes. Last year we managed to send a present of money to around 90 children living in impoverished conditions. Please help us to give the Zinc House Kids a Christmas gift.”
To donate, visit please www.gofundme.com/f/724gr-help-the-zinc-house-kids
Alexios Gennaris organises fundraiser to provide the Zinc House Kids of Sierra Leone with a Christmas gift
