CARE - Virtual Field Trip - Sierra Leone 2006

Home :: Our Journey :: Journal Day 7: Trip to the beach!

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Sunday, March 12, 2006

Visit a spectacular local beach or tour around Freetown

A trip to the beach in Sierra Leone will explain to anyone why the verdant country has been referred to as a tropical paradise. Lining the coast outside of Freetown, mossy green mountains come down to meet white sands and frothy blue waters. The air was hazy with sea spray as we reveled in the sun and played soccer with local children by the water’s edge. Having been exposed primarily to villages working with CARE, it was interesting to interact with children from a community that has not seen as much direct NGO involvement. There seemed to be less attention to the sanitary measures CARE had advocated in other places, for example. One of the boys who must have been a baby at the end of the war had been a hapless victim of the violence evident by the amputation of this right arm.

The day served as a wonderful chance for respite and reflection. We read, wrote in our journals, took long walks on the beach, and engaged with Garth, one of CARE’s country directors for Sierra Leone. His knowledge and extensive experience in development in the region provided for engaging conversation and reassured us that CARE’s projects are in good hands. We also enjoyed playing with his son, Isaka, one of the brightest children anyone could hope to meet.

Sun-crisped and sandy, we headed back to Freetown where we would share another meal before heading out to our last field destination: Bo!

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