Merel was going to come back to town, take a taxi or something, and meet up with me so we could walk into town together. We hoped to meet up with Abdul and Maxwell as well, both of whom also work for the Peace Corps. As it turned out, everyone arrived around the same time.

Meeting the Peace Corps Team

They all have each other as a support group. They’re well connected by phone and Wi-Fi, and they have all kinds of provisions. I hadn’t met Maxwell or Abdul yet, so it was nice to finally meet them. We walked into town together, skirting the market, and eventually ended up at the bank — a place they all visit about once a month.

Getting to Know Maxwell and Abdul

Both of them live in the U.S. Maxwell is doing a teaching assignment in a small town not too far from McKinney. Abdul is doing similar work to Merel — assisting with healthcare in administrative ways, helping people feel supported and healthy, though not performing medical procedures like vaccinations.

Lunch at Papa’s Restaurant

We shared a meal together — a shawarma-like pancake wrap — at Papa’s Restaurant, which sits on the second floor. We were the only customers there, and I’m not sure how the place survives, but it was a wonderful spot for conversation. We talked about Peace Corps life and everything else. It’s amazing what these volunteers do, considering they don’t get paid much — just a stipend, and a bit extra at the end depending on how long they stay. It’s not a money-making venture; it’s an experience they’ll carry with them forever.

Visiting Merel’s Hangout

I had the privilege of visiting Merel’s hangout before we parted ways. The three of them headed back to Abdul’s house. Abdul, by the way, is the child of Sierra Leonean parents but grew up in the U.S. He had mostly only visited Freetown and lived the high life, so now working in the backcountry has given him a whole new appreciation of Sierra Leone.

Strolling Through the Market

We walked through the market to pick up a few odds and ends for everyone before going our separate ways. I returned to the hotel to take care of some things I needed or wanted to do. The plan was to pick up Merel the next morning and perhaps visit the village where she works — quite a distance away.

Meeting Chris Roller

That evening, I met Chris Roller — an American engineer who does just about everything an engineer can do. He has been working across Africa since 2003 and currently lives in Botswana. He’s lived in many countries, as well as Alaska. Truly a fascinating person.

Until Next Time

Fun stuff. Thanks for coming along, and see you next time.