Interesting sightings

 

You are going where??? Why???

We’ve been fortunate to travel over much of the world. And we are accustomed to friends who enthusiastically respond with comments like, “Wow, I’ve always wanted to go there.” Or, “you are so lucky to make that trip.” But that didn’t happen when we announced that we are traveling to Sierra Leone in July 2022.

“Why???” 

Is it safe to go there???” 

“What’s it known for???” 

And from a few – “Exactly where is Sierra Leone???”

Answering those questions seems like the right place to begin this blog. I’ll take them in reverse order.

Exactly where is Sierra Leone? It’s on the western coast of Africa, about one-third the way down the coast, where the continent seems to bump out into the Atlantic. It is one of the poorest countries in the world. About 7 million people live there.

It might help you to visualize its location by thinking about those hurricane maps we watch so closely in late summer. You know how the big storms are born in Africa? Right about there is Sierra Leone.

What’s it known for? NOT for being a tourist destination with wildlife safaris, even though it does have its share of wildlife.

Historically, it is the area of Africa that produced the most skillful Africans for rice planting. Over 50,000 Africans were taken from the rice coast of Africa – Sierra Leone. Rice planters in America succeeded due to the farming skills and back-breaking efforts of their African captives. My own British ancestors, who came to America seeking religious freedom, bought the freedom of Sierra Leonians and grew rich as rice planters in both South Carolina and Georgia.

More recently, Sierra Leone has been known for a 10-year Civil War and for Ebola. The Civil War lasted from 1991 until 2002. When you read about “child soldiers,” mutilation, village burnings, and gang-rapes in Africa during that period, you are likely reading about Sierra Leone. Estimates are that well over 50,000 people were killed and over a million were displaced – in a country smaller than South Carolina.

Ebola followed in 2014, spread explosively across the country, and brought it to its knees once again. Ebola lasted 18 months and left more than 12,000 orphaned children.

To me, most notable is - in spite of its recent history, Sierra Leone is known for its friendliness and optimism. Those who have been there describe the people as hopeful, enthusiastic, determined, and brave. Visitors experience the Sierra Leonians as peace-loving, kind people.

Is it safe to go there? Quite simply, yes. Covid rates are low. Vaccines are required to prevent yellow fever. Preventive meds are taken to ensure we don’t get malaria. Violent crime is low.

We will encounter bad roads, no air-conditioning, occasionally no electricity, drinking only bottled water, eating unusual (to us anyway) foods. But we are traveling with a group of people we know and love. We are staying in a secure compound. Our food is being safely prepared. We will be safe.

Why are we going?  Excellent question! Our church has been sending a mission group there for several years now, to the interior city of Bo, in support of a hospital and a children’s center. It is all connected to an organization called Helping Children Worldwide. Tommy and I began sponsoring a child about 3 years ago. And we listened to the stories from our friends, the missioners who went before us. The more I heard, the more I wanted to go too. This December I rather impulsively announced at our Sunday School Christmas Party that I would go. Tommy then reluctantly announced that he would accompany me.

Why? I want to experience the people. It is extraordinary to me that people who have suffered so much and who live in such poverty can also live optimistically and in happiness. I want to learn the source of their courage and love. We live in a world of wealth here, of good food, good medicines, good jobs. Yet, so many are in conflict here as we wage “culture war” among ourselves.

Why? I want to “give back,” as people say. My ancestors stole from Sierra Leone. Maybe by sharing some of my skills, I can take a tiny step toward family forgiveness.

Why? I want the adventure, the sights, the excitement, the friendships of travel. Over seventy, and still able to make this trip. It’s a good, good feeling.

I hope you will enjoy taking this journey with us, as I write what I see and learn.