Sierra Leone is one of the World's poorest countries in financial terms. After 12 years of war which ended in March 2002, (dramatised in the brutally frank blockbuster movie, Blood Diamond,) the people of Sierra Leone have struggled on to rebuild their country and hope for a better future. As you can imagine few people on our planet need or appreciate help as much as the people of Sierra Leone.
I visited Sierra Leone for the first time on 10th July 2011 and I have been inspired beyond words by the extraordinary love, unity, hope and joy which the overwhelming majority of the people I met use to give them the strength to carry on. It is not a hopeless place as many may imagine. In fact it is one of the most HOPEFUL places I've ever been. Currently only 15% of the cultivatable land is being utilised. Back in the 1960s Sierra Leone was producing so much food that it was a major EXPORTER of food to other countries. Today 80% of Sierra Leone's food is imported. This inefficiency is not necessary for the country. All the people require is the slightest amount of help to establish many small holder farming projects (ie- 5 acres of land to be farmed by 1- 2 farmers to support their families). These projects are not hard to set up and guarantee food (and) out of the ground as Sierra Leone hosts some of the world's most fertile farmland. Organic farming is the best solution as it's the cheapest and most sustainable way to farm and produces the most nourishing and best quality food.
The people of Sierra Leone don't NEED pity. We should respect the great challenges which these people have had to face and give them a chance to learn about their lives and learn FROM THEM. They have so much wisdom to share with us.
The most powerful example I met is a wonderful and very kind man called Bambay. Bambay today works with small scale organic farming projects and uses the most ingenious and efficient methods I've EVER come across to help ensure the most productivity from every inch of the land in the most intelligently thought out way. He has a charming, ever- smiling wife and a very beautiful little girl. He is, without exaggerating, one of the happiest and most fulfilled people I've ever met. Certainly not someone to pity then. We can learn so much from his positive attitude to life. You can view his lessons on organic farming here which he wanted to with the world for free: Organic Farming Lessons in Sierra Leone by Bambay Sawaneh. To help you understand a little more about why Bambay is such an inspiring person for the whole world you must think deeply about his story: http://www.mercyships.org/blog/entry/bambay-sawaneh
Take a moment to think now about the worst thing which someone has done to you. Try to recognise the deep logic, love and kindness which Bambay used to forgive the man who cut off his hands and think if just maybe you could use that same wisdom to forgive those who have hurt you, stolen from you or taken what you love, even who you love, from you. Forgiveness is the greatest expression of love one can create in my opinion. To show love to those who we have every reason to hate. That is truly inspiring.
With enough support there is no reason why over the next 5 to 10 years, Sierra Leone, should not be able to become completely "food independent", after another 5 to 10 years with the focus on building a sustainable and green economy there is no reason why the country could not also achieve "energy independence" by harnessing solar, wind and wave power making the country one of the most free and independent nations in the world. We must dream in order to be able to aim towards our dreams. This dream is achievable. Please help. You could never regret it.
