The beginning of a journey is as important as any of its intermediate moments or as its end; understanding life through volunteering. In our case, we started off on the right foot when Father Peding picked us up at Freetown airport and drove us to Kamalu.
The paved road -the first and last we would see- already announced a reality very different from what we are used to. We were flanked by trees that carpeted the terrain to the horizon and ascended, like possible towers of a cathedral yet to be built, until they touched the sky. The earth, the color of clay, was gaining ground as we moved away from Freetown. Villages appeared, inhabited by people whose faces were all smiles when greeting us, to which we could only smile back.
When we arrived at the Kamalu mission, we met Father J. V. who, thanks to his observant nature, treasures endless knowledge about life in Sierra Leone. There we also met the twelve girls who live in the mission’s Boarding School. Good proof of the excellent education they receive here are their impeccable manners and their ingrained smile.
During our time in Kamalu we have given some advice on first aid and on caring for the human body in different schools to children of all ages. With the help of their teachers, who have acted as translators -converting our English to Krio, Temne or Limba…- we have been able to address the doubts of the inhabitants of this region of Sierra Leone.
The afternoons have been fruitful. The students from ARCORES’ summer school have come to the Kamalo mission every day to receive our classes. There we have talked about biology, astronomy and mathematics. Of course, at the end of each class we have played soccer and basketball, although nothing compared to the passion for dancing that the students have displayed.
We have also taken the opportunity to visit the homes of some of the girls from the Boarding School. The good work of the Augustinian Recollect community is evident, as families receive us with plates overflowing with traditional food.
These days have helped us understand some details of daily life here, but they have also made us aware of the problems that Sierra Leoneans deal with. However, the presence of the Order of Augustinian Recollects is a favorable sign for this nation, which can find in the Recollects the mirror of its hope.
