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S ince Monday April 3rd, when fire raced through Susan's Bay, hundreds are still coming to terms with the disaster. Thanks to the World Food Program (WFP) in Sierra Leone, survivors have gotten by on donations of rice and cooking oil. The WFP also helped put up makeshift tents.   Sanoh Yasaneh said she’s grateful to the WFP for giving whatever support they can. However, she said, not everyone got supplies. There also aren’t enough tents, according to Sanoh. "We're over fifty, sharing a tent,” she said. “What if there's disease, wouldn't we all fall victim? Eyes need to be drawn here or else, we might not survive this crisis," she said.   Momodu Turay complained that his family didn't receive supplies either. Momodu said getting a bed in the tents is difficult because they are so overcrowded. “We need help. It is not safe.  My family and I have given up,” he said.   Nancy Sowa said Susan's Bay  is a mess because there are no public toilets. ...

The death of a 33-year-old Sierra Leonean journalist has put healthcare under the spotlight. Arthur Ben Tucker, whose articles have been published in local and international newspapers, died Saturday while being treated for an unknown illness by a traditional healer, according to social media reports. A former reporter for The New Vision Newspaper, Tucker specialized in court reporting but covered politics, community and human-interest stories, a colleague said in an obituary posted in Native Think Tank’s WhatsApp group. Tucker’s death sent shock waves through the Native Think Tank (NTT) community and was trending on WhatsApp, where he used the handle @NativeIsatu. “Arthur hid behind a veil,” noted one obituary. “This veil turned out to be the most ignored of species— the female. In death, that decision has only enlarged his status.” Isatu is one of the most popular girl names in Sierra Leone. @Peebeck said in a news release that he watched Tucker grow from a young Four...

John Keita will vote for the first time in 2018 March 20 was the date set by Sierra Leone’s National Electoral Commission, or NEC, to begin registration for the 2018 Elections. All citizens of Sierra Leone who are 17 years or older have been asked to register. Only those people who are on the Voters’ Register and present a Voters ID Card will be able to vote in the 2018 Elections. Young Life spoke to young people in one electoral ward. Some of them voted in the last elections. Others are looking forward to voting for the first time.   Juliet Thomas voted in 2012 and she's hoping to vote again in 2018. She had just turned eighteen when she voted in the last elections. Almost six years on, is she better off? Juliet says she had plans to go to college but couldn't because her mother was out of work. Juliet still hasn’t been able to raise enough money to pay her college fees. She also said things were much cheaper five years ago. For example, a cup of rice used to b...

Many people sustain their lives through small business ventures. In Freetown, young people are starting their own businesses with little capital. Christiana Coker sells medicine around the city.  One of her products is Kofsil, which is good for whooping cough and sore throats. She also sells Alafia Bitters for Le2, 000.  Bitters are a tonic used as a cure-all for malaria, constipation, body aches, and pains. Christiana has a permit to sell drugs issued by the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone. The board is a regulatory agency and it ensures the protection of public health.  As a legal vendor, Christiana is able to advise her customers on the right dose for children and adults, and possible effects on the body. She said business is not always good. Sometimes she doesn’t make any sales because there are a lot of other vendors so there’s always competition. She has been trading for two years and makes about Le200, 000 a week. Her taxes average Le5, 000 each month. Christi...

The Lady Ellen Women’s Aid Foundation works to empower women and girls. Their mission is to help communities live free from violence, to value and respect people in their households and in areas where they live and feel at home. Mohammed Jalloh is the founding director of the Lady Ellen Women’s Aid Foundation.  He said the organization is named in memory of his friend, Ellen, who loved helping women and girls in Sierra Leone. Ellen was born in Norway in Scandinavia. She died in 2009 from complications with cancer. Mohammed said it was Ellen, who first came up with the idea of an organization set up to help vulnerable women and girls. Lady Ellen Women’s Aid ensures that, alongside women and girls, they sensitize men and boys on bullying and the penalties of crimes against the person. “Our vision is based on the premise that everyone has a right to live free from fear or intimidation,” Mohammed said. The organization also helps women and girls do savings and loans...

For many years, Sierra Leonean-made movies have lagged behind their West African neighbors. But movie productions are taking hold in Freetown once more, especially in local communities like Calaba Town. One reason filmmaking slowed down was that almost everything collapsed during the war.  Another problem was the absence of experts. There were few people ready to nurse young talent with initiative or creativity for movies. Most of the people who are actors, actresses, and, directors have never had any real experience. They just felt the urge and started up with what they had. Now, experts are available on shooting movies, sound recording and reproduction, editing, and screening, all helping Sierra Leonean moviemakers reach their peak. The government is also helping to boost the entertainment industry. Filmmakers in Sierra Leone are collaborating with partners in Liberia, Ghana, and Nigeria. Many a time, production teams come to Freetown to do movies. Similarly, producti...

Every year, we celebrate Valentine's Day with people we love and care for. This year is no different. In Freetown, some schoolgirls picked Valentine's day gifts at school to give to friends and loved ones. Many young people had plans to go out with their pals and best mates. A few of them told me how they're spending Valentine’s Day. Esther Penyikie is spending Valentine's day with her boyfriend, Charlie, who she met last week. She said she chose Charlie as her Valentine because she knows he would make her day special. They went to dinner at the Hilltop Fast Food restaurant.  Abigail Smith decided to spend Valentine’s Day with her friend, Isha Bah (in blue Al-Amira). Abigail said that Isha is a true friend. They went on a school picnic during the day to celebrate their friendship. Adama Gbla said she's staying home. She has no Valentine so she is not going out. "I always find peace and comfort at home," she said. Nassiru Kabba...