Tag: "Sierra Leone"

Running for Street Child of Sierra Leone

Street Child of Sierra Leone is an inspirational charity whose aim is to get children off the streets and back into school. I came across Street Child through organising the travel arrangements for one of the runners and have been bowled over by the commitment and enthusiasm of every person I’ve come into contact with. Rainbow Tours was one of the Post Race Event sponsors and this is just the beginning of our involvement. The marathon raised over £400,000 and we’re already thinking about how we can be involved next year. Lewis Aldridge is a volunteer for Street Child and sent in this report and photos of this year’s Kiln Sierra Leone Marathon.

Rob Morley

Kiln Sierra Leone Marathon, image by Mark Gillett

“I’ve just come back from a wonderful and inspiring trip to Sierra Leone and wanted to tell everyone at Rainbow Tours about it. I’m in love with Africa and spend as many of my holidays there as possible, but up until now I hadn’t been anywhere over in the West. I also love running. So when I heard there was a charity organising the first ever marathon to be run in Sierra Leone, it was something that I just had to get involved with.

We flew direct from London to Freetown and transferred straight to Makeni where the run was to be held and where the charity, Street Child of Sierra Leone, works tirelessly to get children off the streets and back into school. The marathon day itself was phenomenal. I’ve run about a dozen marathons and it was the best one by far. The scenery was sublime and the atmosphere was electric, but perhaps above all I think it was the 170 or so international runners all running for the same cause which made it really special.

Kiln Sierra Leone Marathon, image by Mark Gillett

After leaving Makeni I decided to rest my tired legs by spending a few days down by the sea. The beaches in Sierra Leone are some of the best in the world. I spent one night on the delightful Banana Island followed by two nights on the wonderful Tokey Beach. And on the last day I went to see the Sierra Leone national football team play in the national stadium in Freetown. I recommend it all. I love Sierra Leone. It’s safe, friendly and practically devoid of tourists. I can’t wait to go back for next years race!”

Lewis Aldridge

Kiln Sierra Leone Marathon for Street Child. Image by Mark Gillett

If you’d like to donate to Street Child, get in touch with Rainbow Tours or go to the Sierra Leone Street Child’s web page on Virgin Giving here. Regular giving really helps the charity to plan ahead and they say monthly donations are key to Street Child’s stability and growth – here’s a reminder of what just £10, £20, £40 or £100 a month can do.

£10 a month – Pays school fees, uniform, materials for 3 children.
£20 a month – Funds a child’s journey from the streets to family and school.
£40 a month – Trains a community primary school teacher and pay them a basic wage.
£100 a month – Pays a social worker’s salary: who supports 50-100 street children.

A beach adventure in Sierra Leone

Most people don’t think of Sierra Leone as a family destination. It’s a wonderful option for those who love adventure, are happy to ‘rough it’ when it comes to accommodation and don’t mind being flexible when plans change. However, the Wynter Bee family recently discovered its deserted white sand beaches, compelling history and welcoming people. On their return they emailed me such gripping and heart-warming feedback.

Sarah and Peter Wynter Bee got in touch with us as they wanted to travel to Sierra Leone to see their daughter Jessie who was carrying out part of her medical training there to become a doctor. This is what they wrote:

“The highlight of our trip was the remote Turtle Islands, which have no mobile phone connection or electricity – brilliant. Getting there was a big adventure – a six-hour boat ride with no navigation equipment other than a compass on the dashboard. We stayed in a basic bungalow. Evenings were very sociable. At times, there were so many islanders hanging out with us and helping it felt like a tropical version of Downton Abbey! We paid for evening meals – excellent fish stews and rice – but you need to bring everything, including all food except fish, along with tea/coffee, beer and water, plates and cutlery, and even a cooking pot if you want to self-cater.

Later, we treated ourselves to a couple of nights at Franco’s, on an unspoilt beach not far from the capital Freetown. It’s an amazing set-up, straight out of Somerset Maugham. Our room had hot water – which seemed like an indulgence – and the food was excellent. Watch out for rip currents off the ocean beach. Freetown was both friendly and fascinating. The trip upriver to Bunce Island, a slaving station whose haunting remains are still very much visible, was an unmissable experience.

Sierra Leone does present challenges. For example, checking in at Lungi Airport for the return flight was horrendous, with everyone bribing officials to avoid queuing.

However, Rainbow’s team on the ground organised everything excellently. We got used to jumping on and off boats with our rucksacks, not being sure where we were going or who was going to meet us, but someone always appeared.

Be open-minded and flexible, and you will have a wonderful time.”

Bureh beach