Thursday 18th April
One day merges to the next on an overnight flight. Its 5 in the morning and 26 degrees of heat you wear its me as I step off the plane. Oh no I forgot my yellow fever certificate and I know they randomly ask to see it. My passport is nearly full so after finding a space and stamping it, I wonder if I can avid the yellow fever man’s gaze. No, it’s my certificate he wants to prove I have the jab. I must no “go and explain myself to the boss.” So with a huge apology and humility I chat to the man and hold a big smile, telling of why I am here. He shrugs and says off you go! (This has been a major problem for some in Sierra Leone). Ours are the last 6 bags off the plane. Change money and the rate has dropped significantly since January and reminds us of the trials of the British economy, our money simply buys so much less.
Everyone wants to push our trolley. Meet Lamin who takes us to the seacoach desk and relieves us of $40 each to catch the water taxi. Freetown! You think you have ended but then start another 2 hour journey to reach the mainland! 40 mins on the speedboat and there is Sulay our driver waiting to meet us. We join the early morning rush hour in Freetown to get to the hotel.
Breakfast and meet up with Alison, who’s not been feeling too well and look at the plans and pray. Hotel lost the key to my room so 4 bags had been lugged up the stairs only to move again! Find I can’t see one of the key people till Tuesday. You know if you rely on a key thing and it doesn’t happen the other plans don’t quite work! First step now settled. We decided to look at a number of low cost housing schemes and what had been built in the past. To talk to people about what was important for them.
Can you imagine someone knocking on your door and saying please can I look round your house and tell me it’s good and bad points and can I take photos. I suspect in England no would be the answer. Here, the families welcomed us with open arms and often ended with “snap me” (take my picture).
So we visited 4 different house types and drew the layouts, sizes and what was important. Clearly water and power, the lack thereof was at the top of everyone’s list. The older government homes were well built and typically gave an indoor toilet to a nasty septic tank but had 2 beds, a parlour and a “kitchen” (mostly a room where charcoal was burnt.
One of the homes has a 17 year mortgage form the SL housing association and required 40,000 (£6.50)per month and then the house would be theirs.
Then there was a charity scheme built in 2009 for the war wounded. 75 mud brick homes had been built and simply given to the people and no rent was required. Most of the people had done little if anything to improve them. They shared a toilet for 2 families on unventilated longdrops. This housing scheme could perhaps not have been done much cheaper. The floors were mud, the like the walls. You know this is a major step up from the sticks they were living under but I wonder how long they will last in the fierce heat and rains of this country. Water was a 30 minute walk to the river (which was also their bathroom). The nearby well belonged to someone else who kept it chained. Water is so key to life.
One man was building a bakery on the back of his mud house which shows how this can work. Bit by bit it was being done, even though we didn’t know how he would finance his equipment. I talked through his business plan – it was partially understood by him and you realise how tight things are as the fluctuation in flour prices in truth means the difference between making a small amount and no money but the community and he would benefit from the investment. I decided will follow his progress and visit again. Doing a bakery as an employer on our land could help a number of families develop. This could be a good pilot for it?
Driving along and see a big cart with what looked like a house on it. People were literally moving house – not a big one but amazing to see all done by hand!
Great conclusions drawn and met some lovely people who just welcomed us in and tell us their stories. The daily battle to do life here is such a challenge. People dying of preventable things all around.
Then to see Peggy Cummins – A wonderful older American lady missionary with a passion to grow churches and bring practical help in agriculture and so many ways. I have known Peggy many years. A lady following Gods calling and despite hardship and setback has made a huge difference in the lives of so many. When she started here in around 2005, I remember the naysayers wondering what a frail elderly lady could do in a war torn country. I listen to people in the UK retiring with no plans, or miserable because in our society they don’t have enough. You meet Peggy, a woman of faith and determination and the starfish Principe lives on as step by step each one is helped, encouraged and mobilised. The government have given the group land and building is under way. Even though I haven’t helped much over the years, in the past I have walked through the door and sensed God saying to me “give her all you have in your pockets.” People follow rock stars, I think of those choosing on the voice and Britain’s Got talent, full of their own fame –yet the Peggy’s of this world are the real heroes, those who simply lay their lives down for others – an inspiration!
We then drove over the back hill where the Chinese are building a road and arrived in Freetown centre. Get a dongle for internet was first priority. We get there to be told the whole country system is down so they can’t sell us the dongle and come back tomorrow! Quickly gave up and then to see Major Moses (Chaplain to the president). He had a group from a USA forces charity with him so he asked me to tell them all about Mission Direct and we agreed to return tomorrow.
Then to a meal with Terry and Alison. We reflected on some of the great learning from the day and opportunities that lie ahead. Alison remained not too well but determined to press on – and so home to bed. The power was on and even had a shower that worked – what joy.