Twenty three years ago today I arrived in Sierra Leone for the first time. The sky was pretty much the same, dusky blue with hints of pink as the sun set while almost everything else was different. Then, the country was in the middle of a civil war, I knew no one and I had never been to Africa let alone Sierra Leone. How different this arrival was as I traveled with my friend of 49 years, yet it held the same magic of Sierra Leone that I have come to know. We were greeted by the smiles of some of the Brussels Airline workers (parents of children at the Dele School), welcomed by Ali who shows up at the airport every time I arrive and depart, circled by those I have come to know selling sim cards and minutes for our phones and then whisked onto the shuttle for the Sea Coach which would take us from Lungi (the airport town) across the river to Freetown.
After a 30 minute boat ride we arrived at the Aberdeen bridge, we walked off the boat to a sea of people in brightly colored clothes waiting for passengers to disembark and collect luggage. The cacophony of sound and excitement brought us new energy after a long trip. Francess (who I trained 23 years ago in psychosocial practices) and Christie her daughter were waiting for us with huge smiles and hugs. As wonderful as this reunion was, it was not the magic I have come to equate with Sierra Leone. What was quite amazing was that I saw a sign with Mike Wessels's name on it. I had met Mike 23 years ago and we had both consulted on the same project; Kids in Distress with Child Fund which employed Francess as well. I couldn't have organized such a meeting even if I had tried. As I hugged Mike my eyes caught a glimpse of another sign with Helen Appleton's name on it, another person I met years ago and now only consults in Sierra Leone periodically. I would never have taken a bet that I would have come in on the same plane at the same time as these two remarkable people doing such good work in the world. A great way to start an incredible two weeks of celebration. Nancy
After a 30 minute boat ride we arrived at the Aberdeen bridge, we walked off the boat to a sea of people in brightly colored clothes waiting for passengers to disembark and collect luggage. The cacophony of sound and excitement brought us new energy after a long trip. Francess (who I trained 23 years ago in psychosocial practices) and Christie her daughter were waiting for us with huge smiles and hugs. As wonderful as this reunion was, it was not the magic I have come to equate with Sierra Leone. What was quite amazing was that I saw a sign with Mike Wessels's name on it. I had met Mike 23 years ago and we had both consulted on the same project; Kids in Distress with Child Fund which employed Francess as well. I couldn't have organized such a meeting even if I had tried. As I hugged Mike my eyes caught a glimpse of another sign with Helen Appleton's name on it, another person I met years ago and now only consults in Sierra Leone periodically. I would never have taken a bet that I would have come in on the same plane at the same time as these two remarkable people doing such good work in the world. A great way to start an incredible two weeks of celebration. Nancy
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