UPDATE - One World Link: Blogging from Bo

NIGHTCLUBBING, a night on a jungle island and being given traditional Mendi names was part of the immersion into Sierra Leonean culture experienced by Tom Williams and Ben Sidaway of Kenilworth School. They write:

“AFTER 8 days of experiencing life in Sierra Leone it’s safe to say that we’ve absorbed a huge amount of the culture that the country has to offer, be it from the nightclubs to the tropical islands and from the local market to the government schools.

We started the week with the first set of training sessions for which we split into groups to deliver ICT training, leadership development skills and a program of discussions around global issues. We felt the sessions were very well received by the Sierra Leoneans and that both we and them learnt a great deal from the experience.

On Monday April 2, we had the privilege to meet the deputy mayor of Bo and some of his colleges in the Bo City Council offices. After a short meeting with him, we travelled on ocadas (taxi motorbikes) to the paramount chief’s office. It was here that all the British participants on the exchange received traditional tribal Mendi names which we were to use for the rest of the visit. After leaving here, we travelled to meet more of the town’s leaders before returning to the One World Link centre for a well deserved rest.

The following day we visited Bo Government School where we met pupils and teachers and also Ahmadiyya Muslim school. Kenilworth school and North Leamington School are fortunate to be linked with these schools respectively so the participants got the chance to compare how the different schools work.

On the Wednesday morning we began the second set of training sessions and these were finished by mid-afternoon. As there was nothing else planned in the afternoon, a Sierra Leonean called Ayuba invited Tom Williams and Ben Wesson to his school and house while the rest of the group walked into town to purchase souvenirs and gifts for home.

It was an early morning on Thursday to make the four-hour journey along bumpy, hilly and dusty roads to Tiwai Island nature reserve. We left the vehicles on one side of the river and got a small motorboat to the island itself. After leaving our bags in the tents, we were all incredibly grateful to go for a long swim in the picturesque lagoon. A little while later, after lunch, we were taken along the river in the motorboat to ‘tip of the island’ beach where we went for yet another refreshing swim! The silence compared to the hustle and bustle of inner city Bo was incredible. We travelled back to our camp, had a lovely stew with native rice for dinner then sat around the campfire with the Sierra Leoneans teaching them traditional British campfire songs such as ‘Bingo the Dog’ and ‘Kum by ah’.

We began Friday with another early morning to go on a nature walk through the rainforest. Within an hour we had seen three types of monkey: Red Columbus; Black and White Columbus; and Diana as well as countless bugs and insects.

Our guide showed us to one of the monkey’s feeding spots and allowed us to try some of the fruit of the nearby trees. It was incredibly sour and reminded us of ‘Brain Licker’ lollies.

So far this trip has been hugely rewarding for us and the Sierra Leoneans and we are looking forward to next week’s events.”

HEALTH and safety is not an issue in Sierra Leone, where Warwickshire College student Hanisah Othman learnt how to get 39 people onto a bus built for 16 and then onto a boat to watch diamond mining.

“FIVE o`clock Saturday and we had our official youth meeting to address some general issues, and the itinerary for our trip to the village of Lowoma.

We decided to set off at 8 o`clock but because it was Easter Sunday we left a little later due to people going to church in the morning. The journey was our shortest yet, just 30 minutes travelling on the public bus which seats 16 people. Problem. There were 39 of us. We squeezed in regardless and it was surprisingly comfortable despite the 40 degree temperature!

We drove until we reached the longest river in Bo; the crossing to Lowoma. All 39 of us then proceeded to cram into a long wooden boat, which resulted in the boat tipping side to side. Health and safety in England would be having a field day but it was fun and we weren’t in any danger. The boat took us to part of the river where we saw people diamond mining. There was a small boat with 3 men standing in it, and a man at the bottom of the riverbed with a bucket and an oxygen tube. I couldn’t help but think about the impact these stones had on the country years ago.

The boat then took us to the entrance of Lowoma where we received an overwhelming reception from about 100 people. It was very tribal, the focal point in the midst of people dancing, singing and drumming was a man wearing a huge straw suit bent over like an animal. He was galloping around, causing trouble and tangled up in his straw suit- very funny.

All of us were touched by the effort the community had put in to welcome us, Holly shed a few happy tears. Then came lunch, frisbee, some cooking, dancing, playing with children and speaking to anyone and everyone we could- the little Mendi we learnt came in handy!

Later the One World Link youth vs Lowoma youth football match commenced. I was very impressed with Tom, Paul and Ben Wesson for their sterling performances in the sweltering African sun despite a 1-0 defeat.

Afterwards the river was calling our sweaty bodies and we jumped in gladly. The we all piled back in the bus with the driver being DJ for the journey home and all of us in the back singing dancing to the current hottest African tunes. It was hilarious. The perfect way to end another absolutely fantastic day and experience. I can’t wait for tomorrow!”

In the first of a series of dispatches written by the young people, Aylesford School Mairi Enticott and Helena Slater give their impressions of the days since they touched down in the west African country.

“NOTHING could have prepared us for the welcome we have received in Sierra Leone.

Within minutes of getting off the plane, we began to get a real feel for Africa. Unlike London where the tubes and businesses are put to sleep, Freetown is the city that really never sleeps. Of course, the first thing we noticed was the intense heat. While we thought that the sunny March in England was sweltering, we now know it’s nothing compared to the heat we are experiencing here. It is constantly 38C.

Although we’re still getting used to sleeping in the intense humidity, nothing is stopping us from fully appreciating this utterly amazing country.

One of the most endearing aspects of our trip so far has been the way people greet us in the streets. Within the first five minutes of our stay in Sierra Leone we had to quickly grasp the special Sierra Leonean handshake, and it’s come into great use ever since. There’s a real sense of community and friendliness here that the English culture seems to lack.

A particular highlight has been visiting a typical Sierra Leonean church. At home you might be able to slip into the back of the service unnoticed, but here everyone rushes to welcome you as soon as you step in the door. Our favourite part was learning the tradition that when there is a newcomer in the congregation every member of the church goes to give them a handshake while singing and dancing. You could really tell their love for one another was sincere. It was also fantastic to witness how passionately they worship, preach and pray.

Another new experience was using the common mode of transport for the first time - the motorbike taxis (ocadas). At first we were all a little apprehensive, but it turned out to be so much fun! On the bikes you get a great rush as you whizz along the bustling streets; it’s nice to feel a breeze!

We are already becoming rapidly attached to this unique culture. We’ve experienced real hospitality, local cuisine, and made some friends to last a life time. Even now, we know saying goodbye is going to be very difficult.”