Pictures, Sierra Leone

This is city water where they (government) insisted that we needed to put a hand pump.  It did not go well as we supposed; why would they keep a hand pump working when this was too close to the well.  It was one of a very few wells that were not working in Kenema District.

Our name plaque is rusted, but at least you can still see it.

The trained communities know that one way to keep the well clean is that no one brings their 'slippers' on the well apron.  Some have a stick that they use--if you are shorter than the stick you cannot pump the water.  It is because they are too short to pump correctly.  Young children can improperly pump so that it wears it out sooner.

Alberta on the left, with Amarachi, Jr. under his arm and natural sister to Alberta; Jonathan's two sons J. C. named after his father (on the left) and James on the right named after Jim Greding.  They have so many nieces and nephews living with them from time to time that it is hard to keep track.  

Amarachi with Alberta (they pronounce it Elbata).  She is there's for life, but she is sealed to her parents for the next.  They were unable to care for her when she was born, and have since had another girl that they are caring for.  They trust Amarachi to take care of her.  She is doing very well and is quite bright.

We take piles of Leones with us; this is because the largest bill is 10,000 Le.  This equals about a $1.50.  The money gets very dirty too, giving new meaning to 'filthy lucre'. 

Fancy dining at the Accra City Hotel; they give us 3 goblets each till they figure out we don't drink, and take two of them away.

Above the buffet at the Accra City Hotel, the fruit; below, the dessert.  

A proud older sister holding her adorable younger one at a Ward in Freetown

This is a Kardia pump.  It lasts longer than other pumps, but the problem is when it needs to be repaired it costs a lot of money and people might not be willing or able to pay for it.