Children rescued by their grandmother and a nun - ABC Online

The oldest of the children, 19 year old Princess, had been looking after her siblings since the death of their mother three years ago.

Their grandmother, Isaata Swaray, is a refugee from war-torn Sierra Leone and now living in Newcastle.

She was worried that the children had no parents to care for them and with the spread of the Ebola virus in their community she feared for their safety.

The Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia and the Solomon Islands provided the funds to purchase the airfares for the children and Sister Di Santleben helped co-ordinate the task.

"These children needed their grandmother and their grandmother needed these children," said Sister Santleben.

The children have arrived in Australia but it got off to a tense start.

Having flown from Liberia to the Ivory Coast they were tested for Ebola and changed clothes, leaving their old clothes to be trashed.

But they were refused entry.

It was days before the problem was solved and they then flew via Dubai, and another Ebola test, and then it was to be one last flight to Sydney and yet another Ebola test.

Ms Swaray and Sister Santleben arrived at Sydney airport early on Saturday morning and were shocked to see that the flight was not listed on the arrivals board.

However they found out that the flight had arrived early.

The children had been met by one of the managers of Sydney airport and been hosted in the VIP lounge.

"I couldn't believe my eyes," said Sister Santleben, "My eyes went flowing with tears of course."

The grandchildren ran into the arms of their grandmother.

Representatives of the travel agency that had arranged the bookings, also arrived early at the aiport with gifts for the children.

"If you knew the grandmother's story you'd understand why she especially needs her children back," said Sister Santleben.

Ms Swaray has been working as a blueberry picker in Newcastle and sending money to the children.

"I pay their rent; I send them money for food; I send them money for school fees; and I send them money for medication," she said.

Hunter New England Health personnel were on hand at their arrival in Newcastle to begin a daily monitoring regime over the next weeks during which the children will be quarantined to their new home.

Having seen her grandchildren lose so much in their brief lives Ms Saraway was distraught about them.

They were alone and vulnerable and Ms Saraway was fearful of the threat of Ebola.

Now the family is re-united with their grandmother and all can build a new life.

And Sister Santleben's work is done.

"This is what we do," she said, "We get given a challenge and we think that is too big and then we meet it. So, it's an honour."