Ma Esther's home in Liberia, West Africa was built through the generosity of Southeastern Manitoba residents and burned down in a fire a few days before Christmas.

House before fire (Photo by Karen Barkman and provisionofhope.com)Provision of Hope Director Karen Barkman explains Elaine Peters, a grade three teacher from Mitchell, started fundraisers called 'Raise the Roof' where the proceeds go towards building Children's Homes in Liberia.  Three Children's Homes have been built through these events including Ma Esther's.  On May 6, 2011 a fundraiser in Mitchell raised over $25,000 towards the project and in 2012 a large four bedroom house was constructed.  Barkman says she was shocked on Sunday, December 21st, 2014 when she got a phone call from Emmanuel Davis who resides in Steinbach and is the son of Ma Esther, telling her that the house had caught fire and burned.

"Ma Esther and her 14 children had just come home from church.  The children changed, the coal pots were lit outside the house and they were preparing to cook for dinner.  The children were changing their clothes and coming back to the porch and they were sitting there when one of the children came running saying 'the house is on fire, the house is on fire!'  We're still investigating the cause of the fire.  We know that the generator was not on, so it was not an electrical fire.  We're still probing into the cause of the fire but it appears to be accidental.  Never-the-less we've had a great, great loss with this fire."

Davis explains he came home from church and his wife told him he had news from Liberia and it was that his mother's house had burned.  He says when he called her she was crying because she felt bad about the whole situation but assured him that no one was hurt in the incident.

Barkman notes there are no firetrucks in Liberia and so they fought the fire with bucketing water and sand.  She explains before this house was completed they lived in a smaller building where they were very crowded and after the fire went back to live there until further living arrangements can be made available.  Barkman says their plans are to raise enough money to help them rent a three bedroom house for the in-term and then rebuild what was lost.  Barkman adds this means fundraising again, and they have already seen the generosity of the community.

"This year Provision Of Hope was chosen as one of the charities for Barkman Concrete to raise money.  They raised over $20,000 for Provision Of Hope and another charity.  Provision Of Hope received $10,167 from Barkman Concrete.  This was before we knew there was going to be a fire and we were going to use a portion of this money for purchasing a container on this yard so we could convert it into a store front.  We had other projects in mind for Ma Esther, with the Barkman Concrete funds in order to move this project towards sustainability which is always our intended goal.  Barkman Concrete has released us to use this money in the relief for Ma Esther, so at least a portion of it will go towards renting a house so the children will all be looked after properly."

Barkman adds to rebuild they will need to set a goal of raising an additional $45,000 due to reconstructing the building and replacing everything inside such as furniture, mattresses and clothes.  Davis says he feels hopeless being so far away but his family and friends have been praying and trusting God will provide for them again.

"I'm really trusting God that He will never forsake his own.  He knows this is His desire to see many orphans or hopeless kids to be restored to hope and so He knows the future of each and every little kid.  Just on my own personally, seeing the great testimonies and everything He's done for me to come to Canada.  He will definitely provide for them and my prayer is that people would just be touched and be a blessing to them again.  God still does miracles.  I guess a miracle happens to those who believe."

Davis along with his wife and four children are planning to go to Liberia in 2017 to visit Ma Esther so she can see her grandchildren for the first time.

Barkman adds if anyone would like to donate they can visit the Provision Of Hope website or call Karen Barkman personally at 250-454-9456.  Another fundraiser will be held in Elm Creek, Manitoba on February 28th, 2015.