Project SIerra- Study Tour- A Pre-Tour Note

( Editor's note- on 2 February 2009- 8 Soroptimists from the entire SI world were scheduled to leave Heathrow for the SI Project SIerra Study Tour in Sierra Leone....but...sadly they were stranded in the snow for a few days. We are patiently waiting for stories which will be posted the moment they arrive- here is a "pre tour" story to whet your appetite- stay tuned! DML)
Thanks Sandra for this note send via Chris!
Subject: Study Tour to Sierra LeoneDate: Mon, 2 Feb 2009 00:36:39 +0000
Dear Everyone
On the eve of my departure from London to Freetown, Sierra Leone, I thought I would give you a progress report of the journey so far.
The first thing to tell you is that I left Sydney sweltering under high 30 degree temperatures and found myself in shivering London. It has been quite warm(!) I am told at 7 degrees during the day but things have changed and we are now getting weather from Siberia and I am looking out of the window at the most beautiful scene of soft falling snow. It is sticking and forecast to fall all night. Already we have about an inch and all the cars look as if they have been covered in the same white car cover. The trees are magic with snow along the branches. Tomorrow might be a different story with traffic chaos but we hope not. Temperatures in SL expected to be around 30-35 deg. What a difference.
I have just come back from dinner at 63 Bayswater Rd - SI Residential House in London, where I met four of the group, Sharon Fisher from Canada, Bev Bucur from USA, Anne MacDonald from GB and Paula Siddle from NZ. Joining us in the morning are Hilary Ratcliffe (GB), Gerd Stenberg, Norway and Hanne Jensbo, Denmark, SI President Elect. I am amongst some very distinguished Sorops!
It's an early start in the morning, up and out by 6.30am to get to Paddington Station to meet up for the Heathrow Express bus for the 11am flight. We arrive in Lungi airport in the late afternoon but as this airport is across the river from Freetown we have to wait until daylight to cross it by ferry. There are several other options none of which are recommended, ie (i) helicopter, which has previously had its licence suspended but is now back in business - insurance will not cover this form of travel. ii) hovercraft - has suffered numerous problems including losing power and failing to get up on the beach, crashing into the terminal, damaging a wall of a building, etc. iii) private boat service- often unlicenced, no safety equipment and no back up engine - no insurance cover for this little trip either. So it's ferry as the best option.
Some information about Sierra Leone: Population - 6,005,250. Land area - 71,620 sq.km (not sure how much that is in corresponding area in Australia)SL emerged from a decade of civil war in 2002 with the help of Britain and a large UN peacekeeping mission.More than 17,000 foregn troops disarmed tens of thousands of rebels and militia fighters.
A lasting feature of the war, which left some 50,000 dead, was the atrocities committed by the rebels, whose trademark was to hack off the hands of their victims. A UN-backed war crimes court has been set up to try those, from both sides, who were involved in the brutalities. The problems of poverty, tribal rivaly and official corruption that caused the war remain. There are 70,000 former combatants who have been disarmed and rehabilitated have swollen the ranks of the young people seeking employment.
SL has the lowest average income in the world and is the worst nation for childbirth in the world having the highest maternal mortality ratio, or risks of maternal death of any country. This is due to obstetric situations such as haemorrhage, obstructed labour, etc, caused by disruption to the health services by the rebellion. Official corruption is rife.
This is a very basic outline of the situation in Sierra Leone. Next time I will be able to tell you more about our partners Hope and Homes for Children and Helo a Needy Child International -HANCI and what we are trying to achieve with SI Project SIerra.
The snow is still falling steadily. I think I'll need a hot water bottle tonight.
I'll be thinking of you on Monday with the Annual General Meeting and new premises and hope that it all works out well for everyone. Sorry I'm not around to help with the search for a "home" and thank you to everyone who sent emails wishing me a safe trip. I really appreciate your support.
Best wishes to you all
Sandra