November 27, 2025
Galilee member Mario Brathwaite traveled to Sierra Leone this fall with a mission team from Helping Children Worldwide. It was his third trip to West Africa and his first in more than a decade. His purpose was clear: to see firsthand the work of our partners at Mercy Hospital and the Child Reintegration Centre—missions Galilee has supported since 2001. Mario witnessed how these organizations continue to serve children, families, and communities in the southern city of Bo, and how Galilee’s support sustains their crucial programs.
Once a home for children orphaned in the civil war of 1991–2002, the Child Reintegration Centre now focuses on family-based care, providing social services, foster placement, and community outreach throughout Bo and beyond. Its mission has evolved from caring for orphans to strengthening families and supporting children who lack stable homes. Mario noted that the needs of children still far exceed available capacity, underscoring the continuing importance of the CRC’s work.
Mario Brathwaite (third from right) with members of the HCW mission team
Mercy Hospital has also grown significantly since its founding as a cooperative effort between the Sierra Leone Annual Conference and a dozen North American Methodist churches, including Galilee. Today, Mercy provides in-facility care to all patients regardless of ability to pay, while its village outreach programs—such as in Sembehun, 30 kilometers away—deliver malaria testing, treatment injections, maternal health services, and other essential supplies to families with limited access to medical care. New initiatives at Mercy include a Sickle Cell Clinic launched in summer 2025, reflecting the hospital’s commitment to meeting emerging health needs.
Alongside these established missions, Helping Children Worldwide continues to innovate in how it delivers social services in Sierra Leone. A new microfinance program equips families with tools for economic stability, and Mario visited two early projects: a neighborhood hair salon and a palm-oil processing operation now ready for a water tower. In addition to developing new programs, HCW is actively seeking partnerships beyond the Sierra Leone Annual Conference to expand the reach and effectiveness of its work.
Mario observed that Sierra Leone has changed significantly since his last visit. “There’s a new international airport, an expanded highway system, and even the sounds of Bo—where once the loudest thing you heard was the Muslim call to prayer—have been reshaped by the constant buzz of motorcycles and three-wheeled kekehs,” he said. “Yet despite the changes, two things remain constant: the needs of children and families and the unwavering dedication of HCW staff, CRC leaders, and Mercy Hospital personnel. Families and children continue to benefit from programs that promote health, stability, and opportunity,” Mario noted, “demonstrating the real impact of Galilee’s ongoing partnership and support.”
If you are among the many in our congregation who have supported Mercy Hospital and the CRC through the years, thank you. Mario’s visit helped assess how these missions are growing and how Galilee can renew its engagement with Helping Children Worldwide in ways that are both vital and responsible. You can support Mercy Hospital and the CRC today with confidence that your dollars are being stewarded responsibly, and in 2026 we will launch a new initiative to send medical and office supplies to West Africa in a 40-foot container. Please watch for details.
A mobile health worker from Mercy inoculates a child in Sembehun.
Galilee will partner with other churches to fill a shipping container with supplies. Watch for details about the Strong Family Supply Drive project coming soon.
