From Salone Times, Sierra Leone, Africa
January 13, 2006
The Paramount Chief Kposowa and people of Bumpeh Chiefdom
are the proud recipients of a state of the art eye
clinic which was donated to them last Friday by a
philanthropist couple from Memphis, Tenneseee, USA,
Dr. Cathy Schanzer and husband Tom.
Speaking at the opening of the clinic and handing
over ceremony, PC Kposowa noted that the efforts of
Cathy and Tom are good examples of philanthrophy
adding that "to see a couple come together to
help a people in another continent thousands of miles
away is a remarkable thing."
The Paramount Chief thanked Archbishop Joseph Ganda
for his effort in bringing Cathy and Tom to set up
the eye clinic in his chiefdom, and particularly in
Serabu.
To show their gratitude and appreciation for this
priceless gift, the Archdiocese of Freetown and Bo
together with Paramount Chief Kposowa and the people
of Bumpeh celebrated a special mass for Cathy and
Tom and their team of support staff. In his sermon,
Archbishop Ganda noted that the day for the blessing,
opening and handing over of the clinic was chosen
so it will coincide with the feast of Epiphany, because
of the symbolic nature of the gift.
"The clinic is Cathy and Tom's gift of gold to
the people of Serabu and all those who will use the
clinic," the Archbishop said, adding that, "we
hold this mass for them so God Almighty will thank
them for us."
What materialized as the Southern Eye Clinic in Serabu
is the result of a friendship that was developed between
the Archbishop and the couple. The idea of the clinic
took three years in the making.
"Serabu has a long history of Catholic gift giving
in the medical field, especially in the form of clinics,"
Archbishop Ganda informed the congregation, stressing
that "many people will come here because of the
generosity of Cathy and Tom. Many will come out of
their operations singing 'I can see,'" the Arch
Bishop expressed, "especially considering the
high cases of eye problems in Mano and Moyamba."
The handing over ceremony began with a mask parade
from the church to the eye clinic. A female group
spiced the occasion with singing and dancing.
