‘Lockdown in Freetown 3… Latest Installment’

Two things happening. Yesterday we completed another school delivery. Second, a third lockdown began 0600 hrs this morning; we are confined to our homes for the next 72 hours. The first countrywide lockdown since last Sept. Unbelievably, that was 6 dark months ago. Wet season. Where’s the time gone? My road (The Loop), early this morning...

As covered in recent posts, we're no longer in the dark days of Aug - Dec. However, the last 10% of Ebola is proving stubborn. This drastic measure is meant to help us over the finishing line. The chequered flag means 42 days without a new case. These days Ebola’s reduced to isolated pockets and mini flare ups. The daily death toll has returned to single digits mostly, following an increase into the teens for a while. Same for new cases. We haven’t begun the count yet…

Even the UN has said this tragedy will be finished by August, across the sub region. Even the UN? Well, together with their cohorts, WHO & CDC, they haven’t been the most reliable throughout this crisis.

The Jeremy Clarkson rubbish. A fracas? Really?

Now this is a proper fracas. Sierra Leone has been in the news recently for the ‘removal’ of the Vice President. This saga, despite everything else happening in the country, rumbles on. Bodyguard of the VP dies from Ebola. VP quarantines himself. President fires VP. Government claims he isn’t a bona fide Muslim, and his Master’s Degree is bogus. VP refutes allegations. VP goes ‘missing’. VP claims his life is in danger. VP seeks political asylum in US Embassy, or elsewhere. President fires him again for seeking asylum and being absent from duty. Appoints a new VP. Critics claim unconstitutional. Opposition up in arms. Government sticking to its guns. Only in West Africa...

After watching the Cameron / Milliband ‘debate’ last evening (“Hell, yeah I’m tough”), which could've sent a glass eye to sleep, you realise the raw fascination of African politics. Never a dull moment in the pursuit of power.

Yesterday a mad scramble prepping for lockdown. I rarely cook in my apartment. I rarely shop. A shock to the system. So much to do. Was there credit on the meter for electricity (you never know, might be power)? When does DSTV (cable) run out? Need a phone recharge? Need Internet installed in my apartment prior to lockdown. You’ll remember I’ve recently moved. Divas - thanks as always. Could I really survive without you both? All lastminute.com. Enough protein?

In the September lockdown I was fortunate to spend 4 days at the Radisson. The ‘Aid Circus’ was starting to arrive, you could obtain 4 nights for $500 with plenty of extras. ‘Hi De Hi’ for a few days. Aerobics, water polo in the deck side pool, film matinees, tennis competition, knobbly knees, happy hour, and live music... quite surreal…  No such offers this time. The hotel is now full of the ‘Aid Circus’.

Talking of my meter. In Sierra Leone, what’s the difference between NPA (National Power Authority – meaning electricity) and an eclipse of the sun? Well, we’ve had an eclipse most recently…

Spending the first day of lockdown in my new apartment has been good. First 14 hours over. Imagine still being in Rigsby’s place? The landlord with no heart. The landlord with no compassion. Cockroach infested, mice everywhere. Last seen in Miami. A landlord who couldn’t give a mouse’s arse…. the guy should be in prison.

Excuse me, the sun is over the yardarm. Let me open a bottle of something (rat poison in the last place) as I fine tune this post. Cheers… good health… (SK - this to you and the boys in Miami)...



Thanks for reading the last post. Took the total viewings past 12,500. Some movement in the top 10. In fact, a new country tops the leaderboard. From the outset it’s been the UK. Now surpassed by the US. France has moved into the top 5. Zimbabwe slipping a place. Canada remains number 3, Sierra Leone at 4. New entry at number 10, Switzerland. Ghana drops out. Thanks to everyone, wherever you are reading.

Over the next couple of days, while lockdown continues, I’ll write up the second school delivery. 3 posts in 3 months, now 2 in 3 days. A wonderful day yesterday, photos like this… Emmanuel Cummings, of Year 2, chats with Senior Diva… (Emmanuel, I know, I've been there...).

Easter is coming. Fly out next Weds. April fool’s day. UK via Belgium. To my Belgian brothers who work at Brussels Airport, I say this… only kidding. Love Belgium.

Since the Sept lockdown and now, I’ve been home once, Christmas. ‘O’, ‘H’, & ‘Tea Cake’ - see you soon. And to my Mother-in-Law, I say this… ugh, see you next week…

Footnote: To friends and colleagues in Freetown, go well over lockdown..., and a special shout out to 'Ops' in Lunsar. Keep up the good work...

Lots more on Twitter: @roadrunnertns

Education, Education, Education...

Education, Education, Education…

Before we start, let’s wrap up some loose ends. First, we have a new character. Ladies & gentlemen, I give you… ‘The Belgian’. You realise when you receive an email that begins, ‘Oi you’, you’re in trouble. ‘The Belgian’ took exception to some of my views. Let me provide balance by pointing out some interesting facts about Belgium. It’s about far more than beer, chocolate and Brussels being home to that value for money institution, The European Union.

Belgium’s the country that first introduced us to sax, as in saxophone of course; then later from the wind section… sprouts. Also, Napoleon met his final Waterloo here 1815, south of Brussels. OK, Belgium didn’t actually exist then. It did 30 years later though, when Karl Marx was inspired to write the Communist Manifesto. Obviously more to this country than first meets the eye…

We’ve all been at a dinner party when someone has said name a famous Belgian? Right? Perhaps at more highbrow parties where they shoot for three famous Belgians? Haven’t we? I’m going to try four, here we go…

… the tall fellow with the funny hair who occasionally plays for Manchester United quite poorly, what’s his name… Fellaini. Then there’s the chap who invented Bakelite … Leo Baekeland …. two more… easy, The Smurfs are from Belgium. One more…. come on, keep thinking…

Other loose ends. Well, Taggart, my miserly scrooge like Scottish next door neighbour, has really taken the wind out my sails this time. He’s only gone and made a second donation to the ‘Food Basket Appeal’ (FBA). A whole 25 Guineas & 10 Shillings this time.

A second time donation was also made last week by ‘Canadian Sumo’, a big … hearted N. American lawyer. He visited Sierra Leone in 2012 and broke one of our beds. CR, you’re welcome back any time my friend. Your support has been outstanding. Bring a reinforced hammock. Oh, and it was Senior Diva who reminded me of the collapsing bed escapade.

On a serious note, thank you both for those recent donations and to everyone who’s contributed so generously. The blog has raised over $12,600.

What you’re about to read cost around $1,000. Total spending from the fund is now $8.3k. We’ll keep going as long as we can. Every penny of this amount has been given by family, friends, and readers. I feel responsible. Every cent has been carefully spent. The change of emphasis is now to support education.

Two Fridays ago we made the first school delivery. Next one planned for this Thursday (26th). Three days before the donation we toured some of the schools. While at Huntingdon Primary (below), a church sponsored school in Goderich southeast Freetown, we couldn’t escape the constant sound of hammers on rocks. A distinctive sound in Freetown.

We already knew this was a deprived area. Poor children attend this school. Even then some are too poor to attend. The parents cannot afford the uniform, or the text books required. We followed the sound. Took us into an area with maybe 20 people breaking up rocks to sell. Most were children. Most were young. I was drawn to Kabba Conteh. He’s 9 years old. Same age as my daughter, ‘Tea Cake’. You might remember TC from a post last summer in the States. She wants a guest runner slot. She’s in training. She’s plenty to say, an apprentice diva in the making.

Kabba was sat cheerfully working away with his grandmother (below). He had a pleasant demeanour and a winning smile. I watched him for some time as I engaged with the family. I asked to take a couple of photos and in return bought three buckets of stones. I donated the stones back. Most times, as you walk away, you know you’ll never see these people again. Life just moves on. Bring a little cheer. Move on...

This time was different…

I should mention Violet from ‘Save the Needy Sierra Leone’ who did an amazing job organising everything. She was the star. The plan was to select 40 of the poorest children from a number of junior (primary) government schools in the area. We’d provide the text books they’d need for their respective year. Material for a school uniform, and stationary – exercise books, pencils, pens, rulers, rubbers, that sort of thing.

The ceremony took place at Agape School Hall, Goderich. It's 0930 hrs, and already sweltering. We began with prayers. Then a lovely welcome song from the children (below). This followed by an amusing skit by the children on why attending school is important. Some of us then said a few words and introduced ourselves. Belmon Renner, one of the schoolgirls, presented me with a bouquet of flowers. They went straight to Baby Diva to help celebrate some big news she has. This will be revealed in a future post, perhaps around August. Next the distribution by Mrs. Edith Kpendema, assisted by Natalie Cole (below in pink), our very own Senior Diva. Because this was a Friday both Divas were naturally dressed as Senegalese lottery winners.

The children came forward individually with huge smiles and collected their text books and stationary, and the cloth to make a uniform. A tailor was present to measure them. He will make the uniforms. Parents also attended, as well some volunteers from Violet’s organisation. Finally, everyone received a decent meal and a drink. An uplifting morning. $1,000 can do so much. 

Conditions in these schools; no running water, no power, no toilets, no secure perimeter, no meals in some schools. When the rains come these roofs will leak. Two shifts of classes usually; early morning until lunchtime, then the second shift. Sometimes three classes in the same room separated with dividers, the list goes on.

Despite everything the children are a happy bunch, like most kids most places. They don’t know of the things they don’t have. Schools have been closed since last June. Imagine this where you live.

Kabba Konteh. He turned about to be one of the 40 today. Now, this is one happy special little boy. He’s in Class 3 at Huntingdon Primary School. He has 8 siblings. If just one of them 'makes it'…

Seeing his face in this photo made it all feel worthwhile. This was completely unexpected. The children and invited guests had their meal and drink. We slipped away, Baby Diva with her bouquet, and drove back 30 minutes to the office. Some reflection on the way back…

Footnote 1: The schools are not opening at the end of March as planned. Probably September at the earliest. The final 10% of the curse of Ebola is proving stubborn. There’s another 3 day lockdown (the third one) beginning next Friday. The emergency measures have been extended until year end. The economy is in ruins. More in the next post…

Footnote 2: I’ve made it through without mentioning the French, my Mother-in-Law, or Robert Mugabe. How about I rectify this by mentioning at least 2 of them in one sentence.

So, what’s the difference between my Mother-in-Law and Robert Mugabe? Well, one is an elderly dictator who rules with a rod of iron. The other is… the President of Zimbabwe…

Footnote 3: Ha, that last famous Belgian… phew, have it… Tintin. Not nearly as difficult as I thought…

Footnote 4: ‘O’, I miss you…

Don’t forget to follow on Twitter: @roadrunnertns

No long gap to the next post this time, something to do on lockdown… see you real soon...