I got to talk a little more with Chris Roller, and the stories he can tell are out of this world. He recently finished a solar project involving many stations, and now he has a small motorbike he plans to ride back to Freetown before returning to Botswana for his next project. It’s possible I might see him there when I get to Botswana.
Traveling with Merel and Abdul
I made my way to see Merel and bumped into Abdul again. We packed up and made a short extra trip to retrieve a forgotten Wi-Fi piece. The environment was beautiful — hills, rivers, and the landscape changed as we traveled. Some rivers were murky due to bauxite and gold mining, which affects villagers who rely on these rivers for washing and bathing.
The Dirt Road to Merel’s Village
We traveled the last nine kilometers on a dirt road, taking about half an hour. It was much better than the roads I encountered in Guinea, allowing us to travel at around 20 kilometers per hour without major issues. This brought us to Merel’s village, the furthest from McKinney of the three Peace Corps volunteers.
A Warm Village Welcome
The villagers were thrilled to see me and organized a welcome “concert” with drumming, singing, and clapping, mostly led by the women. Speeches were made in my honor, and I was introduced as Merel’s uncle, as family titles are easily assigned in Sierra Leone. Merel is considered the princess of the village, and the main chief oversees multiple villages. The welcome was heartwarming and unforgettable.
Exploring the Village
We walked past schools and visited the health clinic where Merel works. The clinic is small, with limited resources — one well, non-operational toilets, about twelve staff members, and likely only one nurse. Merel focuses on maternal and child health. During my visit, I met two of the triplets born while she was away; one of them was named after her.
Village Life and Observations
Life in the village is humble. Most households rely on wells for water, pumping it themselves. Mosquitoes are a major concern as many do not use mosquito nets. Families often have multiple wives, resulting in many children. Schools serve the village and surrounding areas, so children from neighboring towns must walk to attend. NGOs help supplement government services, which are often underfunded.
Reflections on the Day
The drumming and singing took my breath away, and many villagers recorded the event on phones or cameras. There are two small stores in the village, and Merel has her own house and well, living much like the other villagers. The children were very friendly, and I was able to take a few more photographs than usual.
Overnight Stay and Departure Plans
I stayed overnight in the village and planned to return to McKinney the next day. Another amazing journey in Sierra Leone — unforgettable and inspiring.
