The Roots Project is growing! In January, we shared an update after six more boys and four more girls moved into the new Roots Apartments. As The Roots Project continues to expand, it strives to meet the unique needs of the young adults it serves. This includes working with the children to identify the best path based on their individual strengths. As our kids in the Roots apartments continue to attend school, they are working with our Roots leadership team to determine if college, trade school, or employment in Freetown would meet their goals and strengths. The future is bright for these future leaders of Sierra Leone, and we want to ensure that we equip them with all of the necessary skills to succeed.
Meet Issa Conteh. Issa is one of sixteen young adults that is currently part of the Roots Project. This week, we are taking a closer look at Issa to see how it started and how it’s going.
How it Started - Issa was born on January 20, 2002. He came to The Raining Season in March of 2010 at just eight years old. His father died in a tragic boating accident in 2009. His mother was left with many children to care for, and she had no assistance. With no way to provide the care her children needed, she sought to have Issa and his sister, Salamatu, placed with TRS. Because of The Raining Season, Issa had access to clean water, a comfortable bed to sleep in, and a staff devoted to caring for his needs.
How it’s Going - Today, Issa is 19 years old. He moved into the Boys’ Roots Apartment in December of 2020. Joining the Roots apartment will allow Issa to continue to pursue his education while learning essential skills that will help him transition to independent living one day. Issa is a very calm and cool young guy. School has not always been easy for Issa, but he has studied and worked very hard in school in the last few years. Last August, he took the National Primary School Examination and passed! Now, Issa attends school outside the center at the Rising Academy Network. His favorite subjects in school are Creative Practical Art and Religious Moral Education. Issa dreams of becoming a teacher and a basketball player.
Issa has been able to call The Raining Season home for more than ten years, thanks to an outstanding staff and the many sponsors that support him each month. Thank you for being part of Issa’s story at The Raining Season. Because of people like you, Issa has a safe place to live, opportunity through education, nutritious food, essential medical care, and spiritual nurturing every day. He can also continue to pursue his dream of one day becoming a teacher.
Are you interested in helping the Roots Project continue to grow through sponsorship? You can sponsor Issa or another young adult in the Roots Project. Email sponsorship@therainingseason.com to learn more.
Many blessings,
The Raining Season