Upon waking up and making our way to the main meeting room of the hotel, we were surprised to see several wooden statues, bracelets, and other purchasable souvenirs laid out on the table near the edge of the room. A local was eagerly selling the trinkets to us and the other students staying at the hotel. Several team members bought bracelets and other knick-knacks, but the spread of items was too large to purchase all desired items in one sitting. Luckily for us, the vendor told us that he would keep the items on display in the hotel up until our last day in Sierra Leone, and urged us to take photos for our families back home.
This morning, our plan was to go to Gladys Koroma to understand how the antenatal day works in their hospital and see how our device may potentially be integrated. However, it was raining quite heavily outside which made attending difficult. The head nurse of the hospital even had trouble making it there, so the chances of mothers and children attending were slim to none. Instead, we went to World Hope and brainstormed some video interview ideas to use for our educational modules. We thought of several questions to ask potential interviewees and arranged them by topic. Tomorrow, we will be meeting with Joseph Sesay to ask him our questions and begin recording some of these videos.
Following a rigorous day of drafting interview questions, networking with local contacts, and perfecting video consent forms, the distant allure of a village respite beckoned. Professor Mehta had planned for us to take a hike up to a beautiful river in a local village. Our drive there became a refreshing escape: heavy humidity replaced by a cool breeze, a verdant panorama unfurling around us, and the familiar hum of our Land Cruiser setting a soothing cadence.
Barely had we set foot in the village when jubilant shouts greeted us. The radiant smiles and hearty timbre of their greetings didn’t cast us as strangers, but rather as friends returning after a long absence.
Soon, the serene beauty of River Tekaw captivated us. Its placid waters invited us to halt, introspect, and recharge. Local children, their eyes dancing with mischief, swiftly coaxed us into their playful realm. Nearby, intrigued villagers extended their cherished crystallized sugar—a tangible token of their warm hospitality.