The Covering: Home for Another Year

Somewhere to eat, somewhere to sleep, somewhere to learn, somewhere to play. The Raining Season, our children, and staff have been able to call The Covering home for fourteen years because each August, the Lord has provided the funds needed to cover our rent. This year was no different.

For the past several years, the Walk a Mile in My Shoes Campaign has helped cover the cost of our rent. Before that, building campaigns like the Matthew 25 and Na We Os Building Campaigns successfully raised the funds needed through the generosity of people like YOU. This year, our Executive Director, Lori Pyle, worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make it possible for us to meet this need through a combination of generous church partners, longtime supporters of The Raining Season, and first-time donors who gave in memory or honor of, and the Outlaw State of Kind Fund of Music Community Foundation.

This September marks 14 years since The Covering first became home to our children. On September 12, 2012, our first children walked through the gates at 26D Spur Road and began calling it home. Fourteen years later, we are still grateful for the safety, stability, and opportunity The Covering provides every single day.

At The Raining Season, our desire is simple in making sure that every vulnerable child who comes through our gates has a safe place to live, opportunity through education, nutritious food, essential medical care, and spiritual nurturing in a loving, Christ-centered community.

For siblings Fatima and Yusif, who came to The Covering this week, one of the greatest gifts is knowing they now have a safe place to live TOGETHER. While they are still in need of sponsorship support, they have a place where they can live, grow, and be cared for alongside one another. In a season of change and uncertainty, Fatima and Yusif don’t have to face it alone. They have each other and a safe place to call home.

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For Esther, opportunity looks like continuing her education. This month, she will begin Junior Secondary School, taking another step in her educational career. She enjoys school and is looking forward to the new year.

For one-year-old twins Amie and Fatu, nutritious food played an important role in their first year of life. They recently celebrated their first birthday after receiving the nutrition they needed to grow and thrive when they came to The Covering as one-month-old infants.

For Borbor, essential medical care means regular health checks, vitamins, and extra attention when he has a bump, bruise, or gets sick. Having consistent medical care at The Covering’s clinic means his needs can be noticed and addressed along the way.

For Mohamed, spiritual nurturing means growing up in a place where he has the opportunity to hear about Jesus. For many of our children, The Covering is where they first learn who Jesus is and begin to understand what it means to follow Him. 

These are just seven children, but their stories represent what The Raining Season strives to provide every day for each child in our care. The Covering has never been just a building. It is a home. It is a place of safety, education, nourishment, medical care, and spiritual growth. It is a place where children are given the opportunity to grow, be cared for, and be kids.

Thank you to every person, church, and organization who gave this year to support our children and help secure another year at The Covering. Your generosity allows us to continue showing up, day after day, to love and serve vulnerable children in Sierra Leone. We are grateful for the years behind us, and we are excited to see what God will continue to do through The Raining Season in the year ahead.

Many blessings,

The Raining Season