16th October

At 7am Pah Jalloh arrived in the vehicle with two further guests for the day, the Diocesan Secretary (Rev Edmondson) and Rev Wright, the Chairman of the Diocesan Board of Anglican education. By 10am we had reached the first of the day’s schools - at Rogbere Junction. The school is located, as the name suggests, at the meeting place of various roads. Furthermore, an adjoining road to, and from Freetown, being well surfaced does suggest a perfect location for an international link between schools. However, although the school is in desperate need, with many children studying beneath the trees in makeshift (open-air) classrooms, it is unlikely that the school will obtain a link with a school in the Diocese of Chichester. Unfortunately, we have quickly learned that without an enthused Principle in Sierra Leone, a link with an English school will prove to be near impossible. In this case, the Principle is just temporary, holding the position until a suitable long-term replacement is chosen.
Much concerned by the lack of facilities at Rogbere we continued inland to Makeni. The school, linked with St Margaret’s - Angmering, has a promising future. The classrooms are not overcrowded, as is the case with many of the schools in Sierra Leone, and nearly all of the children have a seat, and a desk to accompany it. However, one concern that both myself and Iain had towards the schools, was the way in which the 5 year old pupils entered their classrooms. After acquiring a grappling hook and climbing rope from the local rock climber, each child proceeded to haul their way up the massive step outside. Joking aside, the half a metre step was a ridiculous site to behold, causing both myself and Iain to hold our breaths as each child attempted to climb back down.
After a brief lunchy of crackers......and more crackers, we set off for the last school of the day located at Masheka. The school is newly formed and in desperate need of attention. With nothing but a well providing water, and a building to house the kids, this project we believe will be an exciting development project for a school in the Diocese of Chichester. Unfortunately, the school was destroyed during the rebel incursion, however, it was once attended by the President of Sierra Leone and hopefully this will provide a platform for its return to prominence.
The day was extremely long, tiring and productive, and once we reached Freetown we were both in serious need of some shut eye!