Sweet Salone

As soon as I got off the plane, all the familiar sights and sounds welcomed me back to Freetown - the warm smiles and greetings, the hustle and bustle of selling and buying and even the chaotic traffic. I have already had so many reunions with friends and colleagues – it has been incredible. I know there are many more to come soon. So far, I have spent my time setting up some of the basics but also attending portions of some professional development sessions going on here at Hotel 5:10. I managed to do some shopping and unpack, just getting reacquainted with Sweet Salone. I have also been trying to learn some Krio but haven’t made a lot of progress. I can’t help but miss George, Paul, Karen, Kim and Pam…it just seems one of them should be out on the balcony with me at dusk chatting about our day and listening to the buzz of everybody below preparing evening meals! I can’t complain though, I was invited to a party last night with a teacher from Denmark and a group of teachers from Sierra Leone. Always great to meet new friends. SLTU have been taking VERY GOOD care of me. They are really going over the top to ensure my comfort and I thank them for that. I’m in good hands…

Heading Back to Sierra Leone

I'll be heading back to Sierra Leone on September 25th! Stay tuned for more!

6am Phonecalls

From time to time this year, Isata and Rosemarie have called me to say hello...usually at 6am our time. I always wake up so quickly when I hear their voice, it is so exciting to hear from them! They are both doing well and constantly reminding me of how thankful they are that we are supporting their studies. On Friday morning, Rosemarie called and was very excited to tell me that she is now completing her practicums. She has a class one right now and is using the books that we gave her in the summer. The books are written by Sierra Leonean authors and so I purchased some for each of our teachers last summer. I told her that I was likely returning to Sierra Leone this fall and she has invited me to come to the university. It would be so great to see it all in person.

Solidarity Forever

Thanks to the Sierra Leone Teachers Union, Canadian Teachers Federation and the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario for making Project Overseas happen! Thanks to all of you who sponsored our fund to send Francis, Rosemarie and Isata to school! Check out Francis with the yellow suit in the front row. He is so happy; this was minutes after he arrived in Freetown. I was up at the front for my speech duties! We couldn't wait to catch up.

This song was sang at the opening and closing ceremonies and sometimes in between! Anyone who has been in Africa on Project Overseas will be able to relate to this one!

Morning Prayers

I wish now that I had recorded more of the morning prayer sessions. This video brings back such fond memories. Each day, the participants met to pray, both the Christian and Muslim prayers. It was interesting to see that most participants were comfortable and participated in both sets of prayers.

Sierra Leone Night

The teachers hosted a Sierra Leone night for us where they danced, sang and performed some interesting plays. The photos do not capture the experience...the video clips get a little closer.

This is Rosmarie!

Unfortunately, Rosemarie and I were unable to connect this past summer which was such a disappointment. She is full of personality and always has a huge smile on her face. I was able to speak with one of her professors though who said she was doing very well. This is the paragraph she wrote about herself.

I am Mende by tribe and I am a Sierra Leonean. I am 26 years old and have no children. I live in Makeni, Northern Province.