I can't believe it is already February! I am nearly 2 months into my year commitment. I can not begin to count how much I have been blessed. I have encountered amazing people with incredible stories to tell. There is something beautiful about the connective nature of people in Salone, they share in community not just at set times or in a church building. Community comes from the Latin communitas, cum meaning "with/together" + munus meaning "gift." Nothing in there about having to live in the same neighborhood, go to the same church, or set up a 4pm Coffee date. What I found as a nice surprise was the word munus meaning "gift." Sierra Leoneans have helped me see that their time, and their presence, is a gift given with no conditions. In Salone you don't casually ask someone "How de bodi?" Without genuinely wanting to know. They want to be with you and gift you with their concern and their presence. It is considered rude if you continue on your way without greeting or stopping for conversation with those you pass. It shocked me at first when I traveled with Sierra Leone friends and every person they passed they greeting and/or struck up a conversation. Many they knew, while others they did not, but you never could tell that they weren't old friends. The greeting is just the beginning. They not only will gift you with their time and presence but if you have more than you need and your neighbor has none than you give it away. You share everything, your always inviting, if you need help someone is never far away. In Crio there isn't a very good equivalent to the word please, they instead would say, "Ah beg" but most times you don't have to ask, they are a giving.
However, amongst their own family the kids are often given many chores and given lots of responsibility. The children typically tote water before and after school, cook, watch siblings, do dishes, do laundry, and try to find time to study. Several days now I have spent with Kadeja who is around 8 years and Hannah her cousin who is around 4 years old. After school these 2 girls walk along this steep, loosely graveled path to fetch water only to turn around and walk the same path uphill with 3-5 gallon water filled tubs on their heads. It is incredibly dangerous with a drop off and loose gravel under their feet. After completing this amazing daily feat they then use the water to complete their chores. Finally when about dusk they have a small amount of time to study. If any time is left to play it is done in the dark, usually when young American children are called to come inside these kids are just beginning to have a bit of spare time to play.
Many children are even far less privileged as many are also forced to go into the streets and sell produce or merchandise at night. A young girl I met in Kamakwie had to just that for her Aunt everyday. One day she placed the money she earned under her pillow till her Aunt returned home. However, when she went to give the money to her aunt it was gone. Likely that her aunt took it to begin with but being a very abusive to the girl her whole life, once again the aunt wanted more reason to flog her. It is hard to put into words all that she told us but the beautiful 14 year old girl has been put through terrible and awful things. She was given to her Aunt by her parents who did not want her because of her physical impairment. She has scolosis so bad that the bottom of her rib cage touches her hip. She does not let that stop her, she remains optimistic and is a very bright student. Her Aunt has recently given her to male clients and will not feed her. Right now she is being cared for by some local missionaries and are in the process of getting permission to move her to a safer environment. I do not believe that this story is unlike too many others. The young girl answers me when I ask her what she likes to do, "Sing, Sing Gospel music." She loves God despite all and she knows there is hope for her future. We have the promise of a perfect world when we die if we trust in God. For now we must live in our sinful world and I pray for this girl and many like her that people will see them and reach out to them with God's loving hand.
This culture is rich with people who care about one another but it's also a part of a very sinful world where much hurt and pain occurs. Many go on with sinful actions but others are being put to a stop by people like you and me who take action to live like Christ and reach out to the hurting and oppressed. I have meet many Sierra Leoneans who are speaking out against those who are hurting others. I pray that as the Christian population grows that more and more will continue to reach out and alleviate these pains one at a time.
Thank you for all your prayers and continue praying for Sierra Leone and the suffering and injustice occurring in our world.
In His Love
Jaimie
