Rescued: God's Protection Over Students and Staff
Published Wed, Nov 27, 2024
Written by Dana Kaltenberger
“If it had not been the LORD who was on our side— let Israel now say—”
— Psalm 124:1
In Sierra Leone, many drivers and motorbike riders have never passed a formal driving test. This reality contributes to frequent accidents across the country. In May 2020, we tragically lost one of our EduNations drivers in a terrible road accident while he was delivering food supplies to our boarding home in Rokassa. While our staff and students regularly travel by motorbikes, boats, and vehicles, we have, by God’s grace, been spared from serious accidents—until recently. Like the Psalmist, we could say, "If it had not been for the Lord... we would have been destroyed."
This past month, however, it felt as though the gates of hell had been unleashed upon us. Several of our staff members and students were involved in horrifying road accidents, but in each case, God’s protection was evident.
October 4 – The Kunsho Bridge Incident
Aminata Bangura, who has been the headteacher of our EduNations Hope Academy Nursery School in Mayatta since 2019, faced a life-threatening accident while traveling with her 10-year-old daughter, Esther, who is a fifth-grade sponsored student. On October 4, as they rode their motorbike home from school to Makeni, an 8-mile journey, they collided with another motorbike at the Kunsho Bridge. The impact was devastating—Aminata and Esther were thrown from their bike, while the other rider tragically fell into the river and drowned. His body was recovered three days later. Miraculously, Aminata and Esther suffered only minor injuries, and both have since recovered and returned to school.
October 26 – A Near-Fatal Crash
Just weeks later, on October 26, our Education Secretary, Michael, was returning to Makeni from a work trip to Fintonia on a commercial motorbike. While on the road, the back tire of the bike suddenly gave out, causing Michael and the rider to crash onto the pavement. The rider, wearing a helmet, was unharmed. But Michael, who did not have a helmet, suffered severe head, facial, and body injuries. He was unconscious for hours, leading many to fear the worst. After three weeks in the hospital, receiving stitches, X-rays, CT scans, and other treatments, Michael made a remarkable recovery and is now back at work.
November 9 – The Magburaka Highway Tragedy
On November 9, Reuben, one of our teachers in Mayatta, was traveling with his 8-year-old son, Sylvanus, a second-grade student at our primary school, in a public taxi. They were heading to their village in Magburaka for the weekend when the taxi collided with a truck on the Magburaka Highway. The crash was catastrophic—the taxi driver and three other passengers were killed instantly. Yet by God’s grace, Reuben and Sylvanus survived. While Reuben escaped serious injury, Sylvanus suffered a broken leg and is currently on crutches. Reuben has already returned to teaching, while Sylvanus continues his recovery.
God's Grace Through Every Danger
John Newton, author of the hymn Amazing Grace, wrote about the trials he faced in life:
“Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.”
These words deeply resonate with us. Through these recent challenges and near-tragic accidents, we are reminded that it is only by God’s grace that we have come this far. We trust in that same grace to lead us safely each day, wherever we may go.
