Reports
Report of visit to Bangbutt and the surrounding area by Lottie Carter and Barbara Scrivener
Notes from Freetown September 2008
Report On the Youlgrave Bangbutt Village Link (YBVL) Trip to Sierra Leone
Monday September 22nd 2008: Arrival in Freetown
We arrived at Lungi airport just after 8 pm local time and were promptly picked up by SLYEO volunteer, Osman Kargbo (Logistics Officer). He delivered us safely by car and ferry to Rev. Samuel Stober-Taylor’s residence in Freetown where we were accommodated with great hospitality during our stay in the capital city.
Tuesday September 23rd 2008: Visits to Related Sites
Bonthcelia Pre – Primary School, Fort Street Freetown.
Head teacher Mrs. Cecilia Blake (Sammy’s mother) founded the school.
We were given a tour of the school which is managed and run by Cecilia and her daughter, Sylvia. They introduced us to each class of students ranging from the ages of 4 to 11. Classrooms were sometimes partitioned into two with barriers approximately five feet high so two teachers were delivering classes in the same room. One teacher was delivering two classes simultaneously to two groups of children of different ages. There was clearly not enough room for the children in attendance and the staff’s desire was to secure funds for another storey to be built above the current structure. There was also a need for more learning resources and teachers. As is normally required in Sierra Leone, the children all wore uniform.
Milton Margai School for the Blind (Residential), Wilkinson Road, Freetown
Following introductions with the head teacher, we were given a tour of the school by Barbara Davidson MBE who has been working there for 16 years having come over originally for a year as a VSO. The children were not yet in attendance as the term began the following week. The school receives most of its financial support from abroad, particularly the UK and is relatively successful in raising funds. However, its support requirements are great due to the nature of the resources needed i.e. equipment for reading and writing Braille which is particularly expensive. We discussed the difficulties for students returning home to go into the job market or being integrated into the standard schooling system. The blind students need to reach a higher standard than their peers to be accepted and this is encouraged and regularly achieved. Although the school has the most basic of facilities, it strives hard and achieves high academic standards. They follow a normal Primary curriculum but with extra emphasis on Braille reading, writing and on typing.
SLYEO Board Chair Rev Mansa Musa Brookfields, Freetown
We met Chief Mansa Musa at his home where the discussion centered on YBVL’s future plans and whether they should stay in the Bangbutt area. SLYEO advised at least a two year period of continued monitoring and support otherwise resources already provided may fail. The difficulty relates to changing the attitudes of the villagers in that they need to rely on themselves and not expect that donors will constantly provide for them. Mansa Musa talked about donor fatigue and explained his understanding that it is difficult for the committee to stay in this specific local having contributed so much there already. It is vital however, that work continues in the areas of capacity building and in empowering villagers to improve their own lot. This is the area that SLYEO has worked hard on through their support visits and through the Literacy Groups / Learning Circles.
Wednesday September 24th 2008: Visits to Related Sites
Methodist Girls High School, Wilberforce, Freetown
We were given a short tour of the school with the principle teacher, who was at once frustrated and anxious in her address following Sammy’s introduction. She talked about the difficulties in providing a good education for the students without sufficient resources and with a crumbling school structure. New resources of books and furniture recently received for the library had been stolen. She expressed irritation that more money was now going into the Provinces, whilst the Freetown schools were left to crumble and decay!
Sierra Leone Ministry of Health, Youyi Building, Freetown
The Minister for Health was unavailable so we met with the Deputy Chief Nursing Officer. Sammy introduced the work of SLYEO, the background and work of YBVL and the reason for our visit, i.e. the need to equip the newly built clinic. The Deputy thanked Barbara on behalf of the ministry for all their (YBVL) laudable efforts and their important and much needed assistance. However, she stated that the ministry has strict specifications both for the construction of medical buildings and for the location in which they were built. The ministry based clinic location on the basis of maximizing the area they could serve in line with transportation logistics and positioning of villages in relation to each other. There is a need for residential quarters attached to each clinic for the nurse in attendance. Sammy informed the Deputy that the District Medical Office in Magburaka had been informed at the time of planning and had approved the project. He said the recent change in government appears to have brought a change in strategy and procedure.
The Deputy went on to say that the Director of Primary Health Care was a newly created position in government, responsible for taking this forward. However, this position has not yet been filled and SLYEO should now liaise with the DMO. She said the Acting Chief Medical Officer at the DMO should write to the ministry officially informing them of their needs in relation to the clinic.
VSO, Country Director, Yohannes Tesfamichael, Freetown
VSO Sierra Leone works in the areas of participation and governance, secure livelihoods, and recently in health. HIV & AIDS and gender are mainstreamed into these areas and all activity targets and encourages the involvement of young people. Although they do not work directly in the area of education, it may be possible to place a short term volunteer (up to six months) in a position that will assist in the long term achievement of their main goals. An assessment of SLYEO’s request for a teacher for the school or a medic for the clinic will take approximately 4 months and this can begin as soon as SLYEO formally request this in writing.
UMC Education Secretary, UMC House Freetown
We met briefly with an official at UMC where Suliaman Bangura (SLYEO Communication Officer) gave details of YBVL’s work in Bangbutt. There was discussion on the ‘ownership’ of the school being the responsibility of UMC and Suliaman invited UMC to attend the opening ceremony. The official said that he would contact Saffa Koroma, the district superintendant representing the bishop in that area, who may be able to attend the opening ceremony.
Thursday September 25th 2008: Heading ‘Up Country’
Director of Health, District Office, Magburaka
We met with an assistant to the Director of Health who thanked YBVL for all their support and good work in Sierra Leone. As with the Ministry of Health in Freetown, she informed SLYEO that they should have liaised with the DMO before constructing the clinic. She reiterated the need for residential quarters for a nurse who could not be sent on a daily basis to work in the clinic. Sammy again pointed out that the previous DMO had supported the project and a lively discussion ensued with each side continuing to repeat their point until she acceded and clarified the need for this to be done on any future projects. Her demeanor was slightly defensive and Sammy pointed out that her predecessors had not passed on the relevant information to her. There appeared to be an impasse but following Barbara’s presentation of gifts, we were told that the nurse could stay with the villagers and that something would be worked out. I am unsure what SLYEO felt was the conclusion, if any, from this meeting.
Director of Education, District Office, Magburaka, Tonkolili District
We met with Mr. James Kanu and two other individuals within the district office, Mr. Kanu being responsible for Primary Education in the ward within which Bangbutt falls under in the Tonkolili district. These individuals were aware of the work carried out by YBVL and gave their thanks, noting that they would like YBVL to do more! They are responsible for providing school resources and would be visiting the school on October 4th for a full evaluation. They pointed out that they could not be sure when the resources would arrive from the Ministry and that there would not be enough for all the children e.g. that resources for 200 may have to be spread across 300. Any slack taken up by YBVL would be greatly appreciated. They said the District Office would be present at the ceremony on Monday.
District Council Chairman, Mr. Augustine A. R. Koroma, Magburaka
Initially this was a very formal and serious address, where Mr. Koroma explained his own background, his knowledge of SLYEO, and his appreciation of the work carried out by YBVL. He said he would be happy to be at the opening ceremony. He then explained a local tradition where if two women are presented to a man in a position of authority, it is customary for one to stay with this man and the other to leave. Barbara promptly told me I should stay!
Japan Guest House, Mile 91
This was a comfortable and welcoming place, (though hot) to lay our heads and get some much needed rest, (even if the lights didn’t work in Lottie’s room!) The following morning we briefly looked around the Mile 91 orphanage, a short tour showing the dire conditions these children (and their custodians) live in, and as always with the customary welcoming song for us from the children.
Friday 26th September 2008: Arrival at Ground Zero, Bangbutt and Surrounding Villages
Ronietta Village
We travelled first to Ronietta, a relatively large, established village where the section chief for the area resides. We were greeted warmly by all, the section chief giving a speech of great gratitude and the local teacher introduced Barbara to the elders and important individuals of the village. B presented the chief with a Derbyshire tea towel which he wore across his shoulder instead of the Muslim Shemagh? each time we saw him from then on. At this meeting, for all to see, Barbara had fallen in love (!)
We were taken to their newly built Secondary school and introduced to Samuel S. Turay, who had been prominent in raising the funds for this building. The major issues, as is so often the case, was the school being too small to support its number of approximately 400 children who would come from surrounding villages. They need funds for extra classrooms, for furniture and for learning resources.
Bangbutt Village
We arrived at our accommodation, being the most substantial building in the village. Our room was given over to us by Mr. Abdul Kamara (father of Ramatu Kumara, of purple Gara dress fame and Barbara’s secret favourite). We were greeted by the villagers including the head man, and by Mr. Bobson Tarawalie, and Samuel Bangura the teacher at the school who is presently writing Bangbutt reports for Youlgrave. Ahmed Kemso Conteh, SLYEO Livelihood Officer, translated the head man’s welcome speech on behalf of the village, thanking SLYEO and B and the YBVL committee for all their good work in the village. He prayed this may continue. B replied, thanking everyone for their warm welcome and bringing best wishes from all in Youlgrave. She proceeded to give the headman a Derbyshire tea towel and wind up torches to the teachers who are to work at the new school: Samuel Bangura, John Koroma, Fatmata Bangura, Bargbon Saidu Koroma and Alie Bangura.
Saturday 27th September 2008: Observing a Learning Circle Session and Assessment of YBVL Projects
Learning Circle
We observed a Learning Circle session in Bangbutt using the Reflect technique which was very impressive. The Reflect technique combines learning to read, write and work with numbers, with developing a deeper understanding of a broad range of issues. These issues relate directly to the individuals involved in the Learning Circles and include areas such as health, hygiene, legal issues, gender awareness, business skills, agricultural skills and human rights. The facilitator’s job is to encourage participants to speak and share their thoughts. A word or words will emerge from such discussions, which is written on the board in Temne by the facilitator and is then broken down into syllables. Participants build up new words from these syllables. In this session they chose to discuss Fire Disaster which is a common problem in the dry season where fires are frequent and may be started through carelessness.
The facilitator took the group through several criteria to look at the subject, one of which involved them setting up a role play to demonstrate the problems associated with the subject. This performance was mesmerizing even though we did not know the language, as much of the roles were obvious through their excellent acting. They obviously enjoyed the process immensely and gained both confidence and a much better insight into a subject which may affect them all directly.
Meeting with villagers to discuss projects
The meeting was held in the Bangbutt meeting hut and included the village head man, Bobson Tarawalie, Samuel Bangura, his wife, Fatmata, also a facilitator, other teachers, the section chief from Ronietta, Suliaman Bangura and Kemso. The women of the village were preparing meals for the men to end their fast later that day and were not in attendance.
The Well
There was a round of applause for the well in appreciation. A discussion (at times quite argumentative) followed about the well having broken on two occasions.
Mr. T stated that the problems related to the original contractor as follows
• He had not shown them how the pump was fitted or fixed (he came at night to fix it the first time) so when it broke down they did not know what to do.
• He should have left a reserve of chlorine tablets for them and now they had none.
• Other wells in the area had not failed and theirs had twice, this must relate to the contractor
Suliaman responded with the following
• They were lying about the amount of time the well had been in disrepair, and there is no reason to feel the need to lie to their benefactors who can only assist if they have the correct information.
• They did not ask to be shown how the well worked and did not ask for assistance.
• It is not in the remit of the contractor to show them how to put the well in or fix it but if they had asked for this it could have been organized.
• It is not in the remit of the contractor to provide tablets, which they can purchase from Mile 91.
• The villagers are not taking ownership of these projects now they are complete. They cannot always rely on outside assistance. They should also not rely on Mr. T and Samuel B to sort everything out and should create a wider committee to address these issues.
It was agreed the management committee for the well and they would organize for an individual from Ronietta to train one of the villagers in maintaining the well. They would contribute towards getting some of the tools needed for maintaining the well though these are very expensive and they would buy more chlorine tablets. The section chief reiterated these points showing he thought it important the villagers achieve this.
Mr. T said that all the villagers use the well and that no one is restricted. The by-laws agreed to as part of the project are being adhered to. Suliaman asked whether this included the by law which states that if you don’t contribute to it you can’t use it? Much that was said was not translated but the feeling was of their frustration at having to take up any of the costs for the well. It was all about blaming others i.e. SLYEO and the contractor who it seemed had purposefully made it more difficult for them. It was agreed to move forward from these past problems, to stop going over them and to find ways instead, to make similar situations work in the future.
The Latrines
There has been no problem with the latrines themselves (though in a separate conversation with Tarawalie he told me that the contractor had done a very bad job on some of them and this was SLYEO’s fault). However, the supply of chemicals given originally had now been used up. Larger families using one latrine need these chemicals to avoid disease and it is a government strategy that they are used. It was agreed those families who need them would purchase them from Mile 91.
The Goats
The goat bank has been distributing goats to other communities and this is working well. They discussed free range issues, vet needs and using goat milk and cheese.
The goats are free range which has positive and negative aspects. Some keep goats at home at night, which is not sanctioned by the government as it is unhygienic, but they fear thieves will take them. B pointed out it had been part of the agreement that they were penned up during the day (one has been run over and they are left to eat crops) and should be put in a secure hut at night. The villagers worry that putting them all together in a hut at night would mean thieves would know where they are and they would more easily be stolen. There was a suggestion that these issues could be discussed during the Learning Circles where they could work on coming up with the best solution in keeping the goats safe.
There is a need for a vet to come regularly (every 6 months) to check for disease in the goats. It was suggested a para-vet was trained in the area who could support all local villages. They would contact the Ministry of Agriculture to move this forward. There is no technology or skill in the village for milking the goats and for making cheese. Suliaman suggested a pilot project to be run in Bangbutt to set this up through SLYEO and that they needed to come up with a long term plan. This would need further discussion as part of the move to set up an effective committee for all these projects.
The Tailoring Project
Mr. T stated that management did not monitor this closely enough. He did not know the agreement between SLYEO and the tutor, who later disappeared with the clothes the trainees had made, saying he would sell them for the trainees but he never returned. He maintained SLYEO had not paid him. Suliaman informed us that the young man hired in Mile 91 came with good references. There was disagreement between the tailoring tutor and the villagers as to whether he got money from them or not and again there was a need to move forward from this mistake and look at how to make the project work now. He said a Community Based Organisation (CBO) should be created through strengthening what already exists in Bangbutt and by including the 10 surrounding villages.
This will give the villagers the capacity to run these projects themselves. Mr. T argued there is already a CBO in the village. Suliaman said it exists in name only but not in structure and that it can not work if is only the people of Bangbutt, led always by Mr. T. There was a need for a secretary and a finance position to manage any funds. Mr. T said there were not many literate people in the area. Suliaman said they should encourage literate individuals from other villagers but more importantly it is not just reading and writing that mobilizes a community and that confidence and desire works along side those with academic skills.
Mr. T agreed they would sit down with all local communities to take this forward.
The new tailor is currently on probation and not receiving pay. The trainees cannot afford to pay for training and the tailoring project is currently running on gratis. Suliaman suggested the teacher spend extra time on training up one of the faster learning students who could then champion the project and take it forward.
The School
There is currently a management committee of 7 members including the head teacher and other villagers, who meet every three months.
Suliaman said there are problems generally with school attendance particularly with girls. Families often refuse to buy uniform though it is a requirement, as they are not interested in education. Mr. T said it was because they couldn’t afford it which Suliaman refuted. He pointed out it was the School Management Committee’s (SMC) responsibility to make sure every child attends. The government pays funds for each primary school child which goes into a school account. They are paying out even if the children don’t attend. It is incumbent on every parent to get their child to school and also to provide the basic amenities. Following the new education act, one can be fined or sent to prison if not. The SMC must work in consultation with the school administration at the District Office. There has been animosity about this in the past. Suliaman is very frustrated with individuals not taking responsibility. The SMC should meet regularly with parents to educate them as to their responsibilities.
Mr. T talked about the problem with the lack of teachers. Only one is currently paid as the rest are community teachers so they often have to work their farms. Mr. T has now registered another two for verification so they will also be paid eventually. Following complaints from the parents about the teachers not attending due to farm work commitments, the SMC organized that the villagers assist the community teachers in the fields so they could concentrate on teaching.
The group discussed the problem in affording secondary school education which is not free. Suliaman spoke of a culture against paying for education as it is not seen as worthwhile. The fear is that children will go off and work in an office in Freetown and not stay to support their parents.
As with all projects, a more formalized and effective committee must be set to work and this will be done through the support of SLYEO.
The Clinic
A representative from the DMO will be at the opening ceremony. They may use the clinic as an outreach centre but there needs to be further discussion between SLYEO and the DMO about staffing and resources. The village needs to set up a Health and Sanitization committee which will cover the clinic, the well, the latrines and the goats.
Sunday 28th September 2008: Visits to Surrounding Villages
We visited Learning Circles at Bath Bana, Mabalie and Roruks.
Feedback was always good and often the same, though requests were also made for lighting to be provided for these sessions. The groups had gained great confidence from the LC in several ways.
• There was expression of great satisfaction from an ability to write their names. In Bath Bana they all wrote their names down on our notepad to prove the point and were very proud of this.
• They had learned to work together as a team in order to solve problems and issues and the word unity was used often and by many.
• One girl said violence toward her by her husband had stopped since they had both been attending the group. This point about a reduction in gender violence was made on several occasions.
• One group had started a planting group now they had learned about the farming calendar and had earned money from this and opened a bank account.
Debriefing Session on SLYEO Projects
Suliaman talked about how the Learning Circle programme works. This is a four year project that ends in 2010. In areas where micro credit already exists, outside funders are very interested in supporting the programme. The Lower Yoni area has been unsuccessful in securing micro credit as they have yet to create the structures needed for funders' strict criteria and financial constraints. This is where SLYEO’s work with the Literacy / Learning Circles is leading but there is no capital assigned to these areas yet.
Involvement criteria for the Learning Circles includes the need to involve women. They are really growing greatly in confidence. There are 20 facilitators for 10 villages for this programme. The time of day that they run depends on the community but sessions are mostly after dark due to work. The solar lamps provided were much appreciated but have not worked. Participants use kerosene lamps but this is expensive. Solar Tech is currently looking at why the technology doesn’t work.
The training of SLYEO staff to run Learning Circles projects, takes place in Freetown and these staff in turn train facilitators in the field. Training comes from relevant parties e.g. the Ministry of Agriculture etc. All SLYEO staff in Mile 91 speak Temne and read and write it. This is the same with the staff in the Mende areas. The Freetown SLYEO office monitors all areas of gender and HIV, health and sanitation, skills training including tailoring, weaving, micro credit and agriculture, health education and peace building and conflict management. An example of conflict management is the school clubs which have a peace monitor who will channel ‘menaces’ to administrators.
SLYEO is sure of its achievement of change. Section Chiefs and village Headmen meet quarterly to discuss this work, and comment on their observations, current trends and challenges such as gender based violence which has been greatly reduced. Beneficiaries have re-educated others. Chiefs are willing to involve themselves if they receive food and transport. Non cooperative villagers are not productive to themselves and their community, but this project uses diplomacy skills and local cultural knowledge to ‘cajole’ them and turn them around. If the project involves them they often become more instrumental than others in moving the group forward.
MRDF are now reducing their funding of this project and SLYEO needs to re-strategise. If a CBO for this area is supported, and its capacity built, SLYEO can continue to work is this area more effectively. With a recognized CBO groups can apply direct to charities for support. Of 20 current groups, 10 have now opened bank accounts.
Mr. T interjected at this point arguing that the committee here has a secretary and treasurer which is all they need for a bank account. He said the Section Chief would back him up on this. Suliaman said there is still a need for a more formal structure and for book keeping training, business plans and realistic and correct budgets. Funders will not invest and micro credit cannot be set up unless the structure is deemed secure where loans will be repaid with out high interest and the need to bring the authorities in. Otherwise the result is that individuals, who are not properly supported, just get poorer. Government policy has to take over from community culture and this problem exists all over Sierra Leone.
Monday 29th September 2008:
The Opening Ceremony
See SLYEO’s report for the Opening Ceremony.
A interim committee to manage the projects effectively in Bangbutt was set up following the opening ceremony through discussion between Tarawalie, Sammy, Suliaman and other villagers. This committee will be:-
Chairman: Bobson Tarawalie
Secretary: Samuel Bangura
Treasurer: Fatmata Kamara
Member: Fatmata Bangura
Member: Samuel Koroma
……………………………………………
Sadly, we left Bangbutt late that afternoon to return to Freetown. We broke down on the way back! Car mechanic was summoned by mobile phone who duly solved, provisionally, the problem. Further engine trouble occurred during journey but somehow we limped home!
Tuesday 30th September 2008
Back in Freetown supposedly for a “Chill Out” day but no, we had a lot of administrative work to do in SLYEO office so no time for the promised swim on Lumley beach. Have to come back to S.L again!
Wednesday 1st October 2008
Started to go shopping but B started with the well known “runs”! so no shopping done! Instead more work in SLYEO’s office before setting off early to catch the ferry for Lungi airport, for the 2.00 a.m. flight back to London.
Thursday 2nd October 2008
Reached Youlgrave and Sheffield safely by about 4.30 pm.
A few of the ‘Other Things’ That I Can Remember from This Amazing Trip
The breaking of B’s glasses when I stood on them in the wash area (by accident) , just before she had to give her Opening Ceremony speech, full of nerves, and an inability to read her notes without them. That they were fixed by a man passing through the village at that very moment, with some glue he had in his pocket and a deft hand and eye! What are the odds of that?
That she was polite enough never to say to anyone that it was me who had broken them which was good for me as I couldn’t help feeling like an idiot about it.
The hiding of the giant spiders (i.e. not pointing them out) in the school, the latrine and on the last night, in our bedroom. But it was really her amazing ability not to notice these (beautiful) creatures because she really didn’t like to and if she had, it could have taken her away from the important business at hand.
That I hid from her the fact that we had eaten rat for dinner one evening and didn’t tell her until we returned home. The clue for me was in the skin complete with fur and whiskers, which I then pushed to the bottom of the dish, so B wouldn’t notice. I later had it confirmed for me in Freetown by Suliaman (well, at least that it was a small fury rodent commonly eaten there) but luckily for me, and her, when I said ‘oh no Barbara, that’s just some skin, push it to the bottom of the pot’, she used that same denial expertise she had for the spiders.
That she was good enough to record the greatest expression of the difference between a ‘downpour’ or ‘it’s raining buckets’ and what proper rain really sounds like and she did it with a video camera with its cap still on. Forward thinking.
That we laughed so much and so hard so many times. The trip was difficult and challenging and was constant hard work with a need for constant awareness. Oh, how we laughed. What good company I was in, being with someone who works so hard against many odds and has the most fantastic sense of humour and a drive like no other I have come across.
By Lottie Carter