Biscut and Juice Party...we say tanki (Thank you)

There are a million and one things that happen each day we're here in Sierra Leone. Every day is a big day.  Today was an even bigger day.

Today was a pretty momentous day for the education of young girls in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The Develop Africa/FAWE Computer Lab was ceremoniously opened. This event was complete with ribbon cutting. I hadn't connected the dots yet but no public school in Freetown has ever had a computer lab before this (this is what I overheard from one of the teachers). On top of this new fact, FAWE girls school was created during the decade long civil war to meet the educational needs of displaced girls. The school continues on after the civil war to serve disadvantaged girls. Several of the kids told us that they had never used a computer before. Pretty amazing the things we take for granted. I can still recall using computers in my kindergarten class, even if it was with the over sized floppy disks.

Including computer training and computer educational programs into the curriculum for these disadvantaged girls will make the education they receive even more valuable.

Ever since I arrived in Sierra Leone, I've been treated as a honored guest. It has been amazing how everyone has openly welcomed me here. This culture celebrates guests and it involves welcoming you to people's houses. Anytime you visit with someone, they expect to feed you. To refuse their offered food is considered impolite. Let's just say I ate a few things the last time I was in the southern provinces that I am not sure what they are. All the food is wonderful though. The spices and different flavors are interesting.

Many people such as Janet and Sylvester have paved the way for such a smooth visit as they are highly respected individuals with strong connections in Sierra Leone.

Since arriving here, I made quick friends with the "pekin" (the kids). The first pekin I met from technical was Juamed, or TACO. He was filling water at the water tap. He didn't smile for the picture I took for him but broke into a huge grin as we high-fived afterwards. Juamed was my introduction to what I call the pekin or lovingly the compound kids. I don't know if they realized I was just as excited to see them each day as they were to see me. They each just wanted to play and to have friends. The smallest pekin (P-eee-K-i-n) would say toot me, toot me. This meant that they wanted to sit on your lap or for you to pick them up and just hold them. They all were funny as they would jockey over position to sit closest to me.

 

The other evening, I had promised to stop by after getting back from the southern province of Bo. When our vehicle started up their road, the pekin began appearing one by one. They remembered we had a futbol match for the evening. We found enough space to make a decent field and they marked the goals with two rocks on each end. These kids love futbol. Even the ones without shoes were ever ready to play and they played hard. They play to win. We played even when it became dark. As long as there was enough light to see the ball, they wanted to keep playing. It was a blast.

I wanted to do something for the kids on one of my last nights here in Freetown and through the help of Auntie Janet and her daughter JoAnne, we arranged a biscut and juice party. Biscut is what they call cookies and the juice is pretty much like Koolaid. They started our party with singing and later with songs of thanks. The faith is deep here.

Singing praises

They love to be silly and have their picture taken

Silly faces again

Me telling the pekin that while they are studying hard in school that I will also be studying very hard

More silly face fun

After juice and biscuts we had a dance party. I love these kids. Two of them aren't in school right now. Several live with aunts or uncles, Juamed lives with his older grandmother. Schools enroll kids each semester and the next semester will be end of August. What options do these two girls have for these next months when all their peers are going to school? Not many. I did leave enough money for them to get school lessons so they can keep up and not fall as far behind. Thanks for Mother T of technical drive Auntie Janet and her daughter JoAnne, they will be able to keep track of the girls and help make sure they get into school this coming semester. More than likely they will be on scholarship through Develop Africa to meet their school expense needs. Sarah wouldn't smile but ester would pose for the camera. Many of the kids would run around saying "snap me", "snap me". This meant they wanted their picture taken.

Sarah and Ester will get some school lessons

Pekin dancing

I have so much fun with these kids!

Anti-Malaria Pills...We have a love hate relationship

To address the title...I'm taking Lariam, or Mefloquine, to prevent Malaria whilst on my trip here in West Africa. The pills make me feel pretty icky for the day and make me have little patience. To take the pills or not to take the pills? I've visited two medical facilities over the past 6 days I've been in Sierra Leone. At each of these settings, I've asked the question of what the most common diagnosis was, or the most common ailment. The doctor I asked the question to today answered with "#1 diagnosis Malaria, #2 most commonly diagnosed Malaria, #3 did I mention Malaria?" So...I love the pills because they protect me from Malaria, like bed nets would, but I hate the pills for the way that they make me feel. For the record, I was prescribed a different medication in the States but because it was over $100 for the pills, I chose the cheaper option. Note to self, don't take Lariam.

It is the end of day 6 in Sierra Leone. As my friends Katie, Holden, and Sylvester can attest to, a day in Africa can be like a week or more in normal life.

There is a lot of ground to cover and I can't cover it all with this blog post. I'll do my best to catch up to speed. Intermittent electricity and an outage of internet is partially to blame for the delay in posting. Not to mention, Sylvester and I are often on-the-go visiting project sites or scholarship recipients well into the evening. At night, I also try to work through footage, edit, pull down all my video/images from the day. Tonight, I worked for a couple of hours with Joshua who is learning video and video editing in a crash course over a couple of days. He lives in a community near Mellon Drive in Wellington. Wellington is suburb of Freetown and is much more "rural". Develop Africa has partnered with Joshua and his community as a site for mosquito net distribution with See Your Impact as well as given several scholarships for out of school children in his community. This is a good intro to summarize the last few days since they start in Wellington.

Can you call it off-roading when you are actually on a road? It makes sense that all the Non-Government Organizations or NGOs have four wheel drive vehicles. The places they go in Africa demand such. We have been so lucky to have a pre-1999 body-style Toyota 4-Runner. It has gotten us a lot of places. Our most excellent driver, Mr. Jah, ascends the 50 degree incline of rocks and dirt. The only thing left that resembles a road is the curbs that line what is left. After ascending at a maximum of 5mph, we reach our parking destination. The rest of the walk is on foot. Sylvester and I had been invited to be honored guests at a celebration of all that has been given to the Wellington community through Develop Africa. As we came around several "houses", there was a sea of kids waiting for us. They must have numbered 300 or more. They had signs and had banners hanging for our visit. It was such a moving experience. All the kids loved soccer there. There was a little girl who had never seen a white person before. She was so funny and asked the others if I was a real person. I laughed and called her over and showed her my hands. She pinched my fingers one by one. After the celebration, it was time for a little futbol. I don't think any of the kids expected me to run for the field and want to play with them. Amongst shouts and high pitched thrills, we were off to the "field". No grass. Yep, no grass. A rocky shale is what the field is made of. Many of the kids didn't have shoes, several had sandals. Even without shoes, they loved every second of futbol and played their hearts out.

an example of the NGO vehicles. this one is UNICEF.

in wellington. all the kids just want you to hold their hand.

waving to everyone back in the States

Develop Africa helps get books and school supplies to kids as well as school scholarships

One of develop africa's programs is to key vitamins out to kids

The welcome banner when I arrived in Wellington a suburb of Freetown

the kids are awesome. they pick up on the smallest things you do. this guy added a wink to my

 thumbs up.

something like 300+ kids were there when we arrived

Universal language...the smile!

Day two in Sierra Leone. "How 'de body"

WARNING: It is hard to even begin to explain with words what I have had the privilege to experience over the past few days. Hard to believe it has only been 3 days here.

Day two in Freetown, Sierra Leone...
Everyone is extremely kind here. I have been introduced to the local flavor of food with casava dish, ginger beer, plantanes, and my favorite mangos.
Just as a reminder, I am here in Freetwon Sierra Leone with my good friend Sylvester Renner, a native Sierra Leonean who lives and works in Johnson City. Sylvester is also the founder and director of Develop Africa. Over the past few days I have been working to teach video capture, editing, visiting ongoing projects and seeing Sierra Leone first hand with Develop Africa.
We went to the FAWE Girl's School in Freetown that was started after the civil war to get displaced girls into school. This is a school that I have come to know and love from the United States as one of my favorite pictures is of Rosaline in front of the school building. While at FAWE, I was able to see the FAWE/Develop Africa Computer Lab that has recently been built through funds from Develop Africa. A special podium that will allow multimedia teaching is also in place. It is important to develop computer skills in Sierra Leone which are vital and needed for our generation and the upcoming generations. Contrary to the US, almost all students do not have a computer in their home. I think of myself, where I have several in my home and several in my office.

Most goods are shipped into Sierra Leone and the podium and computer lab computers are no exception. All of these goods were shipped from Develop Africa's office in Johnson City, TN all the way to Freetown, Sierra Leone.

While at the FAWE school we were greeted as honored guests and were shown around the school and had a chance to sit in on a couple classes. One thing is so evident....these kids LOVE school! They are eager to learn, participate, and write on the board. I think I was the complete opposite as most of you would probably agree you were the same.

Girls at FAWE

a few of the computers in the lab

two of the girls on scholarship in front of FAWE

One thing I have always felt here in Sierra Leone is safe. Another is that I have always felt welcomed.

Following the visit to FAWE, we went back to Janet's house. Janet is a board member of Develop Africa who lives and works here in Freetown. She oversees several projects for Develop Africa. Janet is like a Mother T of her community who helps to oversee all the kids. Janet has shown "southern" hospitality beyond even that which most of us have experienced in TN. She has made me feel like family, always concerned with us being well fed.

Janet's street has lots of kids that live in what are called "compounds". I think the word translates best to lean-to's. They are one or two room houses made from corrugated iron sheets as the walls and roof.

Several of the kids from this compound are on scholarship through Develop Africa. I wanted to meet them and capture some video. I had an idea to let them take pictures of themselves because when I was originally taking their pictures, they wouldn't smile. I had to break the ice. So, I gave them one of my cameras, a point and shoot. The kids loved it! Below is some of their handy-work. They also loved to see themselves video recorded. So much fun.

Self portrait from Juamed

Nathaniel

Watching the playback from the video recording

FUN with the camera

Post photo and video shoot

I saw all these kids again tonight. They are so much fun and greet me as Mr. Phillip (PhillEEEEP) or Uncle Phillip. They use Uncle as a sign of respect. Maybe I should call them Uncle because I respect and admire their smiles, happiness, and kindness in the face of so much adversity in their lives. Every one in this picture is currently in school except for a pair of sisters, Sarah and Ester. They both aren't in school due to the cost. For $20 a month both of them will be back in school.

So much in a day. Will post again tomorrow. So much happened today...Embassy, Wellington, Tip top of west Sierra Leone, Futbol, Door of hope. big day for tomorrow as well.

5 days in...5 continents visited...arrival in SL

I'm here in Sierra Leone with Joshua and Sylvester. After a 7hour flight and stop in Malaga, Sylvester and I landed from London. The people are friendly. The plane landed at night time at the international airport. It was small. Took another malaria pill yesterday. They are just great, let me tell you. We have met this morning to go over video and final preparations for the day. The nation building efforts here are strong. Our contact is a great woman by the name of Janet who works with the UN. She's a college classmate and friend of Sylvester who helps to look over projects that are ongoing with DA. I couldn't have made the trip with out Sylvester, a native Sierra Leonean, who I've worked with over the past year. The change of culture and pace is not overwhelming while completely different than anything I have ever experienced. Landing at the airport, there were several people in white coats checking vaccination cards. Were they doctors? Who knows. It is really exciting to be here and to hear about all that Develop Africa has impacted here. Soon we will be headed out to see some of the projects first hand. On the day I spent in London, I had the chance to catch a service at Westminster Abbey. The airport is on an island that you must cross to Freetown via ferry.

Westminster Abbey

Night time ferry crossing

The ferry

Heading out from RDU to London

Meeting up with Sylvester in London Heathrow before our flight

on the ferry

Landing at the government ferry in SL
we were met by Janet, JT, and Joshua

Looking back over the ocean after our nighttime crossing

First Stop Raleigh, NC

So much happens in just a few days.
I often wonder how the experiences that happen in my life would read out to other people. This sentiment lead to my interest in video and pictures. These last three days have been crazy and action packed. No videos and just a few pictures to share. Hah!

Thursday was a bon voyage lunch with my awesome department of anatomy. Lunch at the Blackthorn Country Club, gifts, card, a bag, and a perfect shirt for the upcoming travels to send me on my way. Thursday night lent itself to saying so long to the roommate and friends by visiting two out of the four Mexican places in JC which were packed for Cinco de Mayo. Planning on leaving the country for almost two months, I hadn't packed my bag. Friday morning lent itself to some frantic packing. Three pairs of socks, three pairs of boxers, two pairs of shorts, a pair of zip pants, a pair of jeans, three t-shirts, a rain shell, a pair of Patagonia recycled rubber "tennis" shoes and two long sleeve shirts to get me through 53 days.

After a few hours of work, I caught a ride with "M" to Raleigh. Friday was spent with friends.

Saturday, I borrowed my friend's car and headed off to Danielle's wedding at the Prestonwood Country Club. It was a great wedding and a great time seeing old friends from school. The wedding was extravagant and I enjoyed it immensely. In the back of my mind, I kept thinking about how in two days I would be in one of the poorest countries in the world that marks 8th lowest on the Human Poverty Index (a UN index measuring standard of living). Shrimp cocktail, filet mignon, chocolate covered strawberries, and champagne helped keep that thought firmly in the back of my mind.

I'm continually reminded of how lucky I truly am, continually blessed, and how I've been shown kindness by people from all walks of life. Life is beautiful.

Capitol Building Raleigh, NC

My friend Hils and I at PCC for the wedding

the bride and groom

Lucky to get a picture with the bride

It's Sunday and I'll be heading across the pond tonight. Catching an overnight flight to London. Then Tuesday off to Sierra Leone, West Africa.

Apprehension keeps me up at night

It is t-minus two days before the wheels are set in motion for the big trip. I've consulted maps, read blogs, reviewed YouTube videos on how to pack a backpack, so on and so forth. Let's just say a little pre-trip apprehension is setting in.

 Above you can see my attempt at reading maps and planning. This does bring up the perfect opportunity for a status update regarding the trip. I received my passport back from the Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone in Washington, D.C. along with my entrance VISA for Sierra Leone. That's a big start. Also today's UPS brought my EurRail pass which will further facilitate my travels across Europe.

I've moved on to the packing and final planning stage. Luckily, I was able to use a backpack which significantly cut down on my cost of purchasing one for the trip. I did however use this is a perfect opportunity to shop for travel clothes. I became interested in moisture wicking material and lightweight breathable clothing. I found a new clothing line called KOPPEN. I got a pair of zip pants, two pairs of shorts, and a nice rain shell. Not cheap but not too bad. $167 after my ChristmaHanukkamas gift card was applied.

*Side note: During my time working with the college of medicine, I worked with Continuing Medical Education on a couple of initiatives. There I met very kind, motivated, and talented individuals. They were so kind to send me off on my trip with a gift card, kind words, and a travel friend (Dr. Q; the cartoon liaison between medical students and CME).

More to come and I will be shortly posting about what I will be doing in Sierra Leone, West Africa.

I am very much looking forward to this trip. It is going to be an adventure of a life time. First stop: Raleigh, North Carolina.

The Start of Something New

It has been a matter of discipline when it comes to writing, or blogging, that has kept me from adding as many posts as I would have hoped. These past couple weeks and months, I've enjoyed living willy-nilly. Lots of golf, grilling-out, traveling, watching movies and television shows.

In keeping with tradition, I have a few books that I am reading but haven't gotten very far with them. Currently I'm reading a Pat Conroy novel "The Water is Wide".

Enough pleasantries and now to the details...I have one week left until I embark on a trip that I have dreamed of most of my life. Africa and Europe! Africa began as my Mum's dream for her and her children, my brother and I. She has a funny story to tell about how adverse I was to the idea back in my high school days. Ever since I can remember, as family we have sponsored a "brother" and recently a "sister" in Africa. Specifically Etabu was the first child in Kenya followed by a girl named Helen. Working with a non-profit organization by the name of Develop Africa from my hometown Johnson City, TN, the opportunity has arisen to travel to Sierra Leone. In Sierra Leone, I will have the chance to see Africa firsthand as well as the projects that the organization supports such as education, micro-finance loans, and malaria prevention. Traveling to Sierra Leone will be fulfilling a dream of mine and a dream of my Mums. It will be very interesting to find out what I will think of  the country and how it will affect the rest of my travels.

In preparation for the trip I have had to get a Yellow Fever vaccination, apply for an entrance VISA, and started taking Malaria pills. Traveling is a money making industry. The Yellow Fever vaccination was $80 at my local Health Department. I'm still waiting for my VISA to be issued from the Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone at a cost of $140 to apply and about $10 to mail with added cost of including passport photos at an extra $10. The Malaria pills were going to be over $100 until I found my insurance card and switched to another Malaria medicine for $10 (billed cost to insurance $40). Reading the side effects of the Malaria pills were encouraging. My roommate said he thought he would rather risk getting Malaria versus the side effects listed. Hah! I took my first one today and have felt nauseous the whole day. Hooray Malaria pills.

If I don't get my passport back from the Embassy in Washington DC and an entrance VISA for Sierra Leone...my big dreams and big travel plans will quickly fall by the wayside:(

More updates later...