Sierra Leone the campus surely has seen better days
make a “B” line for the library. Once
there I am shocked. This can’t be
the library of a historic institution?
Barely bigger than a Harlem bodega; I
It would take less than two hours to inventory the
whole library …Someone should tell Oprah
Winfrey about this?
The campus grounds are beautiful there are gardens outdoor sitting areas and lush green
surrounding the mountain.
shortly and we hit the pavement.
The style of dress on campus mirrors that
of the American college student; rugby
& polo shirts, converse footwear,
designer bags, tight jeans, high heels
baseball caps, messengers’ bags , and virtually no sign of traditional clothing.
engineering & Political Science but
resources are sparse.
Tuition fees are about $600 U.S. per
term. These fees may not cover the cost
of text books in the Western World.
However the average Sierra Leonean
income is around $900 a year according to the CIA world Fact book.
are overcrowded without air conditioning,
and decrepit hostiles have busted
windows.
We later find out that lectures are at times
held outside because classrooms cannot
accommodate the number of students attending.
However, astonishingly enough, we are soon to encounter some of the sharpest, and
most determined young adults that we’ve have ever come across.
*****
Students, held no punches expressing their feelings, “We have a medical building
with no medications, a library with few books, limited Internet service and tuition fees
have increased -again!"
“We do not even haveadequate transportation up and down the
mountain."
Transportation up and down Mt Aureole
is insufficient and currently limited to two
buses for over 4000 students. This
translates into long cues and late arrivals
to classes forcing students rely on friends with cars to lend a hand.
“They have introduced new degree courses but they do not even provide all the material
needed to study and pass. "They tell us
to go to the Internet cafes in town if we
can't find what we need on campus."
And in the best English that education can
buy one young man says quite simply,
"It's Fucked up."
Graduates see few employment opportunities upon obtaining their degrees. "There is
nothing here for us. Do you see anything here for us? There are no jobs!"
a college degree means to you? One
young man responds, "It's just a piece of
paper."
More than 50% of the youth population,
w/ or without education, is unemployed
an estimate, and according to the country’s President, is steadily increasing.
Even with a burgeoning campus of talents, many students believe that the only path to
success is to migrate out of their native land and pursue careers and opportunities
abroad.
However not everyone is looking to flee,”I want to
stay and work in my country. I want to contribute to
making it better and prosperous" was the sentiment
of one young man.
And indeed he should. This country seems to have
all the right elements to creating wealth starting with its most
valuable resource, its young people.
valuable resource, its young people.
We sit in on a student forum the hall rumbles with students
quoting Abraham Lincoln to
reinforce their political points and
overthrowing the floor with rhetoric.
down the student body President Mr.
Timu. He has all the swagger of a leader
and faces all the challenges as well.
He shares with us that he has just ended a meeting where the student body was
successful in reducing tuition fees to the prior year's rate (about $60 less.) Timu is
asked about the success rate of female graduates. He admits that the men excel above
the young women academically and this is reflected in the rate of graduation.
for academic success. When asked if the
student body has ever appealed to the
President of the country he says, "We
have, and the President [Ernest Bai
Koroma ] of our country is present at
every graduation ceremony, he actually
Mr. Timu if he ever asked the president
how he feels when he sees the
deteriorating state of his Alma Mata. He
takes a thoughtful pause, turns with a half
grin and says, "No I never have, do
you think I should?"
The students of Fourah Bay are sharp, funny and friendly, handing out invitations to this weekend’s
party an inviting the “Americans to a cold Coke while discussing their basic educational
soaring tuition fees, and a severe lack of basic
resources; these determined young people stay on
course amidst their dire circumstances. If they can
make it here then they can make it anywhere. If that
ain't higher learning, then what is?
POST SCRIPT
One of the most important questions asked of every student encountered about there
educational needs was; "What are your challenges?"
The answers were consistent from one student to the next. Therefore each discussion
was closed with the same question:
If you could address the school board as well as the President and say,
"These are 3 things that we absolutely need in order to receive a proper education."
What would they be?
• Adequate internet service and computers
• Adequate transportation
• A complete Library and text booksPresently
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