In the beautiful island of Freetown, Sierra Leone converged around one hundred twenty five [125] women from West Africa for their Weaving Together Program [WTP] and Seminar at the Council of Churches of Sierra Leone last November 7-14, 2008.  Distance was not a barrier to their attendance and participation, neither was money.  In their belief that God will make a way, which God graciously did indeed, these women braved the distance to share and draw Christian experiences beyond measure.

The first day was the conduct of the WTP by the World Officers: Chita Millan, Mia Adjali, Shunila Ruth & Lyra Richards.  This was a fertile venue for the local women to meet the World Officers and know more about the World Federation.  Likewise, it was also a good setting for the WO to be updated with the Area and Units’ programmes, projects, activities, dreams as well as challenges.

The official opening of the West Africa Area Seminar was held at Miatta Conference Hall with no less than Her Excellency Nyama Koroma, the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, as keynote speaker; and Bhattu Jambawai, former World Vice President, as the emcee.  Heads of Churches were also present.

Reports of Area Officers and Unit Presidents were given which centered on their activities done to address the Millennium Development Goals [MDGs].  There were different workshops on MDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 and bible studies led by Rev. Sidney Cooper.  They also went ahead in electing their Area Officers for the next quinquennium.

The Area is under the able leadership of Lilian Lahai, Araba Sam and Matilda Johnson.

The member countries which attended the Seminar were: Australia, Fiji Is., New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Is and Tonga. The registered members were 466, of which 276 were from the other Pacific islands. The regular attendants were over 500. The Seminar lasted from 12 – 19 of September, 2008.

Women were arriving after many hours of traveling with much joy and expectations, to the Loyola Spirituality Center, Santiago, Chile: the place where such Seminar took place.   In spite of the tiredness, everyone was happy and all of them were very warmly welcome by the CMMALC officers, who very promptly distributed the bedrooms to the participants.  Those were moments of much cooperation and solidarity specially when some helped others to go upstairs with their suitcases, and walked along the corridors.