Visit Africa: A Month in Sierra Leone

DESTINY

A taste of Safari at Nairobi Airport

Amidst the pandemic, I have been flying around the globe unvaccinated. So my company, FreeBalance, sent me to Sierra Leone, West Africa, where we have project implementation, with the primary objective of getting vaccinated. The government provided free vaccination, using Astra Zeneca vaccines, to everyone including foreigners. This was the better and faster option for me than falling in line for vax schedules in the Philippines. My country was prioritizing the vulnerable and health workers, and I belonged to least priority group of citizens.

So, after leaving the Americas, I was off to another continent, Africa. And because of the covid situation, all shorter routes were closed, so I had the long and winding navigation path, from Sao Paolo Airport in Brazil, to Doha Airport in Qatar, then Nairobi Airport in Kenya, to Accra Airport in Ghana, until Freetown Airport in Sierra Leone. My whole body ached after the 40-hour trip, or more I think. But I cannot rest just yet. As I have been telling myself, "every trip is a different experience", indeed as I was yet to take the speed boat to reach the downtown, since the airport is located on the other side of the wide gulf.

I arrived at the Radissons Hotel at dinnertime on May 19, 2021. Then I self-quarantined until May 21st when I got the go signal for the jab. 

Radissons Blu Hotel

I tried to do the usual routine I do when in new place, new country, which is walking in the morning or late afternoon. It was a strange feeling for me around here to be surrounded with Leones, especially along Lumley Beach. This sandy beach is lined with restaurants and bars, so tourists frequent here, and so are the beggars which are mostly crippled or amputated men. I did not like to experience that sad feeling or pity every afternoon. And I did not also like the danger that I normally felt in the morning when drunk men were seen strolling after the night drinking spree was over. It felt to me like an everyday occurrence, so I stayed in the hotel most of the time.

River No. 2 White Sand Beach

WORK

For 3 weeks, I joined my colleagues to the office at the Accountant General. I did some Change Management works seriously, which were supposed to be just my cover story of coming to the country. I found working with government officers enjoyable. They were all very cooperative during my various consultations. I happened to be part of the Sierra Leone team at the time when users' training was conducted. It was my opportunity to learn deeply on the Budget Planning Module of FreeBalance GRP Solution.

Then I had clashed with the project manager. He was this micro-manager type that breath down everyone's neck day in day out. He even wanted to check on the content of my emails to client. Every day, I felt the tension because he meddled in everything I do. Even the idea of extending my trip there has become a big issue because I was not reporting to him but to our Vice President (who is actually my direct supervisor). Changes were discussed on the original objectives of my visit. I was then part of the training deliveries for the other modules.

At Lumley Beach

On June 6, the crisis at home had brought back the original itinerary. My mother experienced the side effects of Astra Zeneca vaccine and was hospitalized. She had blot clots all over, with difficulty of breathing, and seemingly at terminal stage. And she was to celebrate her 76th birthday the month after. So my return flight on June 12th was pushed through.

LEISURE

I never thought I could associate myself with Overseas Filipino Workers in Sierra Leone. That was June 4 (my older brother's birthday) when I accompanied my colleague to drop by the Liquor Shop to buy few bottle for the weekend drinking session, I met a Filipino saleslady, Lea Colmenares. She mentioned about the Philippine Independence Day celebration with all other Filipinos in the country. We exchanged contact numbers and the following day they picked me up from the hotel, hang out at the Consul's residence, and met all the kababayans.

With Hotel Manager, Mars Tolado

I was amazed how close-knit the Filipino community is in Sierra Leone. Several nights followed that I was with fellow Filipinos, either eating in restaurants managed by one of us or drinking in bars where some more fellows were serving. I was involved in the preparation for the June 12th celebration. And during that Independence Day, I joined the singing competition which of course I won, and led the community dancing. Filipinos everywhere are Fun! But I left early because I have to catch my flight that evening.

SIDETRIP

I was supposed to spend 2 days in Morocco on my way back to the Philippines. But the widespread of covid had prompted the airlines to change my itineraries; it was then a direct flight from Freetown, Sierra Leone to Doha, Qatar with short connection in Morocco Airport. Then my way home was further delayed because I was not included in the cap on the number of returning Filipinos from Doha to Manila, Philippines. I was advised to stay for 24 hours in the Doha Airport with free meals and accommodations, and an upgrade to First Class seat.