Feature

By Chol Duang

South Sudan as a physical territory has spanned generations; it’ll be around for generations ahead, both as a landmass and sovereign state --- supposedly independent of external powers. But the elusive question remains: what does it mean to you? Every single South Sudanese has a certain definitional view for this country. Well, I will share what it means to me being a South Sudanese: Since my birth, it’s ( South Sudan) been a burden, or call it responsibility; and finally, a sacrifice!

By Emma Black

On 31 March 2020, when Sierra Leone recorded its first case of COVID-19, the Government instituted measures to prevent the transmission of the virus. Many of these preventative measures are based on the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations. These measures have greatly impacted the lives of every Sierra Leonean.

By Hajaratu Kalokoh

Last year I tried to see the government’s flagship Free Quality Education (FQE) project on the ground in our schools after hearing and reading so much about it. I visited the Juba Army Municipal primary school in my neighborhood and it was clear to see that the immediate impact was a significant increase in pupil enrolment. The other leg of my visit took me to the fishing village of Tombo along the Peninsula where there are several government and government-assisted schools.

By Abdul Tejan-Cole

Gut-wrenching! The first word that came to mind immediately after I saw the video of Minneapolis Police Department officer, Derek Chauvin, kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, a 46-year-old unarmed black man.

Even though George Floyd was handcuffed and was on the ground repeatedly saying “I can’t breathe!’ for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, Derek Chauvin kept his knee on his neck in the middle of a Minneapolis street. Facedown and posing no physical threat, three other officers held his torso and his legs.

By Emma Black

By Emma Black

By Dr Sandra Lako

It’s 6:45 am on a Monday. As I head out the door, I put on a cloth mask and make my way to the paediatric outpatient clinic at the Aberdeen Women's Centre in Freetown. Unlike many places in the developed world where outpatient services have switched to telemedicine, here in Sierra Leone due to limited connectivity we are still doing in-person consultations. It is the only way to keep essential health services going, which is vital in a country with some of the highest maternal, child and infant mortality rates in the world.