Update from Freetown - Friday with Goal

It has not been as easy to access the internet as we first hoped! Freetown though more developed than you might think for an African city is still a sprawling mess with limited electricity, running water and Internet access. (pictured below Internet access is usually received via satellite)

After arriving at Lunghi airport at 3.30am we finally got a water taxi – another 45 minutes and with the help of a lovely American woman – thanks Paige – found our lodgings.
The manager of our place – Derrycombe lodge – had been waiting at the helipad to collect us but the only way over at that time was by water.
We made it back there eventually, after dropping a random soul at the lobby of a hotel where he was going to try and find a taxi into the city when it got bright. Finally, at 5am, we got to bed.
There was no time for rest though as Goal were scheduled to pick us up at 8am and we headed for the George Brook health clinic in central Freetown.



Although we were wrecked after only a couple of hours sleep it was a great day and it is clear just from one day on the ground the impact the government's free mother and baby scheme is having on impoverished woman.
Under the scheme all woman who are breast feeding and children under 5 can access free healthcare.
However there are still many challenges to overcome such as lack of resources and supplies. The small clinic we visited is for a population of 20,000 or more probably.
After a tour and talks with the young mothers and expectant mothers - who more often than not are alone - we travelled to the slums of Mabella in the eastern part of Freetown. It was here we saw the full horror of how people in the city are forced to live.
Here the communities are living almost in the sea.

Space is at a premium and health and sanitation is a battle being hard fought. There are fresh water taps in the area, and two public toilets but still the people live in utter squalor. In Susan’s Bay which is right at the water edge the people only have running water twice a week. In the rainy season they are living ankle deep in water all the time.
Young children and women spend their days trekking up the hill to Mabella to bring fresh water down.
There is dirt and rubbish everywhere. There is no security and children run riot, babies crawl in the mud and dust.
The strength of the women in these communities is inspiring and you would have to wonder what keeps them going.



Goal staff have built up great networks within the communities which really helps the women to have a voice and no doubt empowers them.
Next we paid a visit to a drop in centre for vulnerable and abused children.This was truly a magnificent place and the difference made to the lives of these damaged children was captivating. ( A boys class room pictured below)
The head of the centre told me that they have been used by pimps, thrown out by their families, abused emotionally physically and sexually and yet there they were singing and laughing and learning.
The resilience of children is amazing but nevertheless they are in real danger.
Once the centre closes for the day they are back out into the big bad world of adults who are waiting to prey on them.

All in all an amazing day. So thanks to Marion and all the Goal staff – driver, support workers, community volunteers and of course all the people who spoke to us and allowed them to photograph them.