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| [Photo: Big Laura at the naming ceremony of small Laura, with the whole family. June 2008] |
I studied Psychology and
C-riminology at university, and have previously enjoyed working with
adults with learning difficulties and mental health problems. Through a
local Sierra Leone Non-Government Organisation (NGO) I provide care and
support services for women and children infected and affected by HIV and
AIDS. I’m not sure anything could have prepared me for the situations I
face and the challenges I meet, but I am learning so much. I have been
able to achieve a great deal in my time here…yet there is still so much
left that I could do. No one ever said that working in the developing
world would be easy. They just told me it would be worth it.
My experiences in Sierra Leone
have been amazing. I have met the most inspiring people, including
those who face hardship everyday, but would still do anything to please a
complete stranger - Auntie F.A. is one of those people. The entire
compound surrounding my house has adopted me into their family. I have
mothers who invite me to eat with them, I have sisters who braid my hair
and children who love to play. This is why I want to give something
back to this – my – family. To recognise their needs, and the fact that
we, in the developing world, are in a position where we can help
children like Nasiru.
Laura
- - - -
I came to Sierra Leone for the first time in February 2008 with eyes wide open.
After gaining lots of policy and capacity-building experience in the
Canadian government, I was excited to try my hand at development work.
It has been challenging and rewarding, but
the paradox of my development venture is: I believe I have gained more
from the experience that I could possibly give.
I have had several highlights in Sierra
Leone, however the one that tops all is befriending Nasiru. Cheeky,
thoughtful, innocent, funny and loving 6-yr old Nasiru. We made an
instant connection.
There are no shortages of people one can
help in Sierra Leone. Some people don’t have a home, food or medication
for chronic illness or just everyday viruses. Many people back home
prompted me to seek needs that they could contribute funds to. It
seemed easy enough. However the more I studied the problems in Sierra
Leone the more I uncovered the complexities of development.
Sustainability. Finding root causes. Ensuring funds get to where
they’re supposed to go, etc. I soon became overwhelmed, and could not
wrap my brain around a venture that could, in at least a small way, help
someone in need.
But he was staring me in the face the whole
time. Greeting me when I returned from work. Offering me some of his
rice for dinner. Making me laugh and smile.
I believe, education is the key to
development. The most influential people in Sierra Leone – the ones who
will pull the country from the depths of underdevelopment – are Sierra
Leoneans. Helping one little boy obtain a quality education can have
reverberating effects in future years. It will not only affect him, but
his future family, his children’s children and maybe even the whole
country. This Foundation is about an opportunity to succeed.
The scope of the Foundation is small; on a family-like scale. This is not a random boy you see on a late night commercial on CNN. Nasiru is our little friend. You’ll see him in our photo albums. We’ll talk about him at dinner. We’ll make calls to check in on him. We’ll visit him. And who knows, maybe you will too.
The scope of the Foundation is small; on a family-like scale. This is not a random boy you see on a late night commercial on CNN. Nasiru is our little friend. You’ll see him in our photo albums. We’ll talk about him at dinner. We’ll make calls to check in on him. We’ll visit him. And who knows, maybe you will too.
Nasiru would ask for help if he knew he needed it. So we’re doing it for him.
Jason
- - - -
Aisling White
first met Nasiru and the other kids in FA’s compound when she came to
Sierra Leone as a VSO volunteer in September 2008. Their hugs,
the sound of their laughter in the morning rising up to the first floor
apartment that she shared with Laura, the fun, games, dancing and
sweetest smiling faces were all certainly a factor in her decision to
return to Sierra Leone again 6 months after her year’s placement was
complete.
Working for GOAL now, she no
longer lives opposite the kids, but is only a short walk away and still
gets to visit often. And that’s what’s so important – seeing Nasiru grow
so fast, both physically and in confidence; watching Makia’s krio
improve so rapidly turning her from a sweet, silent child to a bubbly,
happy little girl. The next beach outing with all the children will
hopefully be December and plenty of photos will capture the happier side
of being a child in Sierra Leone.
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