#AfterEbola

The differences in cultures is nowhere easier to see, between Europe and Africa, than in the bereavement process. To my mind a significant contributor to many families’ poverty is the amount of money that has to be spent on burying the dead in order to avoid ‘bad name’, and to avoid losing the dead person’s…

More goodwill and support from outside Sierra Leone. While the Paris to Brussels cyclists were training and foraging for funds to complete their bike ride, my very dear friend, Mike, was training for his first marathon. One week after we completed our mad trip, Mike made his own trek across Europe and participated in the…

On the one hand, things are pretty tough, coming back without Alhassan as guide and back up. It is hard having to face the day to day attrition of grinding poverty, the most powerful face of which is the daily category of meaningless and needless deaths. It is equally hard facing the wearing corruption, our…

Admissions with a difference in EducAid Lumley, Freetown! Ground floor – Last minute revision before the final, final entrance exam. Middle floor – continuing Junior Secondary students. Top floor – Continuing Senior Secondary students. Each year, the whole admissions process is somewhat unbelievable, with countless numbers applying for places in the EducAid schools. Often amongst…

5th in the country in the WASSCE [West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination] this year! …………. We still don’t have the full picture as the overall results have not been sent to the schools yet, but a few of our students have accessed their results on line [great new facility here!]. On the whole, we…

Saturday morning, when school kids all over the world enjoy a bit of a lie in and some time out…. EducAid Lumley was action stations. No dragooning, no Alhassan directing proceedings. There was a last minute request and they sorted themselves into teams: water fetching, ‘bailing’ of sand and buying of cement. The downstairs classroom…

I just thought I would share with you about something positive that we have been fortunate to benefit from. The inspiration of Kate Humble [of Bradt Travel Guides], the www.stuff your rucksack.com website enables goodwilled travellers to go on their travels equipped with the necessary information to make maximum use of the spaces in their…

I have not been away from Sierra Leone for this long [5 weeks] since Kofi was born. It is very comforting to note how well the leadership team and the staff in general have developed since then. Lots of excellent work has been done and real professionalism and commitment has been demonstrated. We are very…

Heading off from a re-sugar pit-stop. What a weekend! 49 cyclists of all levels of stamina, fitness and map reading ability! The miles grew as the days went by and a breakdown of 65, 85 and 40 miles over the three days, gently extended themselves into 77, 98 and 43 and the figures do not…

Plenty of adrenaline coursing through the veins of many a Paris-Brussels participant and supporter. Phil, the bike man, had no space in his shop this morning for all the bikes he was MOTing and making safe. Janet B has not slept lying down, I don’t think, in about a month with organising routes, drivers and…

What a day! When people suggested that I organise a memorial service for Alhassan in the UK, having already undergone one funeral, I was not greatly excited at the prospect. However, Saturday’s turnout was really quite moving. It was a lovely service and I was touched by the numbers of people who made the effort…

Many people have asked about sending flowers in Alhassan’s memory. While the thought is greatly appreciated, Kofi and I will not be around to enjoy them and their beauty is quickly gone. I know that Alhassan would greatly appreciate those of you who would like to, instead, contributing to EducAid. Alhassan supported EducAid in so…

So…. Alhassan died on Thursday, 6th August, aged 36. Emmanuel Bailay, senior teacher in Lumley, lost his sister on Saturday, 8th August, aged 22. Mani Abu, senior teacher in Rolal, lost his brother, Thursday, 13th August, aged 40. Ahmed Nyandemoh, chemistry teacher in Lumley, lost his cousin on Wednesday. Tragedy continues to be the daily…