The engine thrums, and the wind whips my face as we power along. I am on a boat which takes passengers from Freetown – across the mouth of a huge river – to Lungi International Airport on the other side.
I look back at Freetown and admire how its mountains emerge as though out of the water, lush green interspersed with buildings that gradually get fewer as the elevation gains. It is a beautiful sight, the kind you want to burn into your memory like a postcard, never to forget it.
It’s so hard to believe I am leaving. Three weeks has raced by, full of once in a lifetime experiences. Where to even begin? The impressions I will be left with are so full of contrasts.
The seemingly endless noise of Freetown, horns honking, whistles blowing, stray dogs barking and everywhere it seems music playing. Yet there’s an easygoing calm and charm about it. I saw the quiet desperation among people I met who struggle every single day just to survive. I also saw the incredible warmth of the residents.
I will never forget all of the people I met, both while working on stories and in daily life.
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I was welcomed at SLBC (Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation, the national broadcaster) where I met with journalists who are absolute professionals. I had the opportunity to work with several on their stories and scripts, but the main focus was to do human rights stories with three journalists, Samuella Senesie, Ashmieu Bah, and Michael Kargbo.
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All three showed a great deal of determination to tackle major issues facing their country, despite the many obstacles it seemed we had to overcome. People we needed to interview were unavailable, there was a camera shortage and editing equipment problems. All typical challenges many newsrooms face, but it seems we were saddled with them all at once.
However, perseverance paid off and a few stories are in the works, one about the plight of street kids in the country, another about the lack of people with disabilities running in the election.
I will take away with me the enthusiasm I was greeted with by the “Women in Media in Sierra Leone,” when I conducted a workshop with them. There was always someone eager to pitch in with an answer or opinion.
Likewise, when I conducted a workshop with about 80 new freelancers hired at SLBC for election coverage. A good journalist is forever curious and they showed that in the numerous questions they came up with and an eagerness to learn.
There are random images which will stay with me. The incredibly potholed roads and impressive rainstorms (I caught the tail end of the rainy season).
The beauty in the waterfalls and green landscape when driving through the mountains to get out of Freetown to the provinces. The warm water at the stunning beaches.
Now, the time has come to depart and I watch as Freetown grows smaller in the distance. I was given a great send off, with a guest appearance on SLBC’s noon show for an interview with the host about my experiences here.
In a word, unforgettable.
Christina is a Global National correspondent based in Toronto, and recently spent a few weeks reporting from Freetown. Follow her on Twitter: @StevensGlobal.
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