by Fr. Steve Whelan, SDB

The recent news from Sierra Leone which has found its way into our newspapers in the past few weeks has not been good. We read of rebels fighting in the capital city of Freetown and the death and destruction left in their wake. The descriptions and photographs of men, women and children who have been maimed by having their hands and arms lopped off with machetes are gruesome to the nth degree.

As we see the faces of the young and the hope for the future smiling from these pages, that future remains grim indeed. The Salesians are by no means working in a safe environment as we are. Even though there is risk, the love of youth and great expectations make the risk worth it.

Recent reports detail the fact that for the past three years the U.N. Development Program has ranked Sierra Leone last (emphasis added) among 174 countries assessed for their quality of life-a measure of income, education, life expectancy and health care.

Up to a quarter of the country's 4.7 million people have fled their homes since the rebels were driven from the capital by a Nigerian-led West African intervention force. Seeking revenge against a government restored after ten months in exile, the rebels have randomly mutilated, raped and murdered thousands. They are now (at this writing) fighting for Freetown itself.

We need you, the Salesian Family, first of all, to pray for the success of peace-keeping forces and for the safety of our Salesians and their charges. Our provincial headquarters is in direct contact with them, and they are, for the moment, safe. Second, any financial help you can give to the Salesian effort will be appreciated. Despite any future negative news (God forbid!), we will not, repeat not, give up helping the people of Sierra Leone, especially the youth. Don Bosco and his spirit marches on!