This is the last of 3 posts from the Project SIerra Study Tour team in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The last few days have been a whirlwind of visits, meetings, and inspirations. Yesterday we visited the HANCI project in Kissy providing services to street children (the majority of whom are girls). We met some amazing young girls who are trying to rebuild their lives and move off the streets, with the help of HANCI and our support.
Then we had a meeting with Mrs. Siakormi Koroma, the first lady of Sierra Leone. She graciously welcomed our team and commended us for our support of the people of her country. Like us, she is interested in helping vulnerable girls, and empowering the women here. The visit was recorded for national television, and the First Lady said she would be issuing a press statement about our visit.
Media attention for our visit has been amazing. Margaret Cook, Alice Wells and Chris Knight participated in a radio interview from Bo, Margaret did another radio interview in Makeni, and we had a print media journalist travel with us to Kamakwei and Tambakha. This morning we held a press conference at HANCI's headquarters in Freetown. 4 newspaper reporters, 1 radio, and 1 TV reporter attended, peppering us with questions about the visit and our impressions.
Everyone expressed their gratitude for the work being done by our partners, the stellar results the projects are achieving, and the level of community support wherever HANCI and HHC are operating. "Other NGOs can learn something from HANCI," SI President Elect Alice said.
After lunch, some of us said our farewells for the long journey home. The rest are staying behind for 2 more days, to visit the members of SI Freetown and some of their projects.
We are all so impressed and amazed at the resiliency of women and girls in Sierra Leone, and the staff of HANCI making a difference in their lives. We will have more to share through the Project SIerra website very soon.
Love,
Members of the January 2010 Project Sierra Study Tour
Cathy Standiford
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
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