West Africa Journal

In the News - “Soldier Rob” and International DOVE!

Webslinger — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:44:46 +0000

Click on the news clipping below to see it in a bigger, readable format in our gallery:

Guest Writer at Dove - Jill

Judy — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:48:52 +0000

As part of the Mission Direct team, I had been invited to join Judy and Kelsey on Christmas day. The week had been a difficult one for the team, we were all feeling pretty exhausted, not only from the work we had been doing in and around Freetown, but with constant requests from almost everyone we met, for Christmas gifts.
We arrived at midday and were so pleased to see the Christmas tree and decorations! We had not until this point, felt as though it was Christmas day and were missing some of the tradition of home. We received a warm welcome with a glass of punch and snacks whilst settling in, then joined in the final preparations for our traditional Christmas dinner.
Most of the children had requested their Christmas dinner for the previous evening and were going out for the rest of day to visit friends. Kathie and Isata joined us, as well as another guest Pat, from IMATT. We all enjoyed a traditional Christmas dinner, followed by a game played with us concerning the present we had brought. By now the team had ‘let their hair down’ and lots of laughter followed.
The timing of the visit to DOVE was perfect. It gave team members relief from their current work load at a time when we needed it. The team have now gone back to England and before my return, I am spending 3 weeks with Judy and Kelsey. The children have obviously enjoyed their Christmas and have been in the throws of writing their thank you letters as well as enjoying their parties. With the holiday season over, school and ordinary living begins again on Monday!

NOT TOO LATE

Judy — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:58:18 +0000

We were very excited to receive some financial gifts before Christmas to help ship our container to SL. We just want you all to know that it isn’t too late to help with it. We know you are all bogged down with Christmas and New Years things but if you are able to help with this worthy project, we welcome your gift! The poor are always with us….

NOT TOO LATE

Judy — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:57:56 +0000

Christmas Sarcasm from Kelsey

Judy — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:04:12 +0000

CHRISTMAS SARCASM

“WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS, WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS, WE
WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!”

Happy Christmas We No Die Oh (Krio version of above meaning, Its a happy day because we didn’t die this year)

“I’M DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS. . .FOR EVERYONE ELSE BUT NOT FOR
ME . . .MAY YOUR DAYS BE CHILLY AND WHITE. . .WHILE I BASK IN THE
SUNLIGHT AT THE BEACH”

“I WON’T BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. . .THAT WE ALL AGREE. . .BUT PLEASE
HAVE SNOW, AND 20 BELOW. . .”

In the Christmas mood yet? Or should I keep going?

I’ve been listening to Christmas music here, but it really doesn’t
have the same effect when it’s 100 degrees outside, dry, dusty,
humid, and just plain HOT!
I find that the Christmas songs I like the most in the US are not
the ones I like the most here in Sierra Leone. For example, songs
like “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas”, really sounds quite silly
here. “I’m dreaming of a GREEN Christmas” would be much more
appropriate. Or take the song “Let is snow!” for example. . .really,
who wants it to snow anyway? Or “Winter Wonderland”. . .now there’s
a fairy tale song if ever I heard one, and we all know fairy tales
don’t come true.
Then there’s “Frosty the Snowman” . . .are you kidding! We put out a
fake snow man and everyone in the village thinks is a devil-ghost! Our
guards are even afraid to come around here! Could you imagine what
they’d think if the snow man actually woke up one day with an
exclamation of “Happy Birthday!” ?? I think we’d be the only people
left on this side of the mountain.

Then there’s the homesick songs, “I’ll be home for Christmas” and
“I’ll have a blue Christmas without you”. Who writes those songs??
They’re the worst Christmas songs EVER!! Believe me, when any song
even remotely similar to this theme starts playing, I can’t
hit the “skip” button fast enough!

So, Christmas music hasn’t been much of a hit here, either, but I’m
still listening to it, and trying to get in the Christmas spirit.

The lights really help, though. I LOVE Christmas lights! Granted we
only have 3 hours of electricity in a day. . .but the moment the
generator comes on, and I see the tree light up with colorful
blinking lights. . .Ahhh! Yes! THAT makes Christmas for me!!