A Day in Freetown

Our group arrived Sunday evening after gathering up all of our members at Heathrow airport (including two for whom catching up to the group was an aerobic workout) and taking the seven-hour flight to Freetown. Two van rides, one bumpy boat ride and over four hours later, we were all safely ensconced in our hotel.

Monday was day for a late breakfast, our initial group meeting, and a trip into Freetown proper to gather up medical supplies, books, cell phones and the occasional souvenir. We were very delighted that several friends from the villages came to Freetown to meet with us and become acquainted with the team.

The afternoon was spent visiting the U.S. Embassy in Freetown, where we were warmly greeted by the embassy nurse, public affairs officer and staff, and had the opportunity to meet with Ambassador Perry. We were thoroughly briefed on the possible health hazards we faced, all of which had been anticipated and prepared for. Most informative was an inside view of the issues affecting the economic progress of Sierra Leone, and a discussion of programs that the U.S. is implementing in healthcare, agriculture, food security and education.

Tomorrow we spend another day in Freetown, visiting Bunce Island, a historical monument to a human rights issue that persisted far too long and died under the weight of public opinion - the slave trade.