Big Hug Goodbye to Sweet Salone!

I had an amazing and jam packed schedule over the past week. I went to Bo, the area where Rev. Peter grew up. For those of you who do not know him, he is the United Church Minister in the community where I grew up and where my parents and brother reside. It was great to see Bo and I even met a couple of people who know Peter! Bo is the second biggest city in Sierra Leone but is not nearly as congested as Freetown. Like many communities in Sierra Leone, they also use motorbikes to get around and I am happy to report that I am finished with my bike rides for now. I have learned how to say “Go slowly” in Mende, Themne and Krio! I have also managed to carry my luggage on bikes and figured out how to maneuver to get off and on with my skirts. Not easy tasks!

I met up with Isata (scholarship student) and we surprised one of our co-tutors from 2008 in a different city Kenema. Kenema is the third largest city in Salone is currently full of dust. Dry season! The next day we experienced even more dust when we went to a village near Moyamba. This was a once in a lifetime experience. We were covered with red dust and coughing like crazy! We had to travel about 50 miles down a dirt road full of giant potholes so it took a couple of hours. We arrived in a wonderful village to meet the one and only Francis (and of course the entire community!) Francis invited all of his school staff and extended family to his backyard where they built a special sitting area with palm trees just for the occasion. They all came with gifts for me so we filled the taxi with pineapples, coconuts, paw paws, yams, potatoes, plantains, bananas, rice, beni and even two live chickens. Francis showed me around his place and took me to his church before his wife gave me some groundnut stew…just happens to be my favourite Sierra Leonean dish! After eating, there were many speeches and prayers for all those Canadians who have been contributing to the scholarship fund. Next came the snaps, everybody wanted me to take their picture so I did my best to set up a portrait studio in the backyard. Many of the women practiced some Mende songs and then invited me to sit down for a sing-along. It gave me goosebumps and I will never forget their kind gesture. Soon enough, we were all up dancing while everyone sang and played various Sierra Leonean instruments. There were tears and hugs before heading back to Bo, I am so glad that we made it to Yanama. Certainly a highlight of my entire experience. Isata came back to Freetown with me and stayed for a couple of days. She gave me a beautiful dress with intricate sewing – I was speechless. It was such a pleasure to have a lengthy visit with Rosemarie and Isata this trip. I feel like I really had the chance to get to know them and admire them both for their strength and courage. They have both invited me to their villages and I would love to meet their families so that will be top priority next trip!

I have wrapped up my internship with the SLTU although still have some aspects that I will continue as I write my thesis. I completed some more interviews this week and had a great send off from my thesis supervisor at the Relaxation Station. I have had a couple of slumber parties with Baby Angie and her family. Angie is full of hugs for me now and not shy at all – that only lasted a day. We played soccer, coloured, went on the computers, watched television and danced. I hate to say goodbye to this family but on a good note I will be leaving my phone with them so we can keep in touch when I return to Canada.

I miss everyone in Canada so much and it is time to come home despite the wonderful experience I have had here in Salone! I am praying that Heathrow is operational on Christmas Day as I want to be at my parents’ place by Christmas night. I will see you all soon! Happy Holidays!