The Executive Director of Inepd International Kelvin Peterson has been visiting Inepd International programs in Sierra Leone. In this 1st part of and extensive 2 part series. Kelvin visits a primary school for Ex-Child Soldiers. These are the live tweets(from twitter) of his field visit. I hope find his visit a valuable learning experience although very confronting:
Live Tweets from Kelvins Field Visit to Ex-Child Soldier School in Sierra Leone
Just about to get in the car. Bit of a heavy rain. Will be live tweeting from my field visit in a bit over 1 hour. Hope you follow me: Oct 28
On my way to the Inepd International sponsored Ex-Soldier school in Waterloo on the outskirts of Freetwon, Siera Leone: Oct 28
Just reacing the outskirts of Waterloo near Freetown. Really excited to see our Inepd International programs in action. Be there in 30 min: Oct 28
In Waterloo now. Had a great night with Inepd staff in Freetown last night: Oct 28
Right today we are travelling to the outskirts of Freetown to a place called Waterloo: Oct 28
Inepd International supports a primary school for ex-child soldiers: Oct 28
The children in the school are between 5 and 11 years old: Oct 28
It is just heart wrenching that children this young have had such experiences during the war from 1990-2001: Oct 30
The initiation ceremonies of child soldiers were shocking and brutal: Oct 28
Much worse than anything that went on at Harrow. Should all watch The Silent Army great if your researching the topic: Oct 28
Samantha my PA will be tweeting my visit here as I want to be able to interact freely with kids and really understand the situation: Oct 28
Right we are now at the gate of the Inepd International sponsored Amistad Primary School in Waterloo. I am going to hand over to Samantha: Oct 28
Hi everyone. I’m Samantha and I will be live tweeting our visits to the Inepd International Programmes here in Sierra Leone: Oct 28
I am so excited to be here. It is my first field visit in Africa: Oct 28
The school is basic but tidy and simple with a fresh coat of paint on the school: Oct 28
Kelvin has just walked out of the Inepd Land Cruising and is shaking hands with the School Principal Mr. Isah Conte: Oct 28
Kelvin asks Isah to tell him about the children at this school: Oct 28
Isah says that the children here are from very poor backgrounds and could not go to school without Inepd support: Oct 28
Kelvin asks about the impact of the war on the children: Oct 28
Isah says; these children can't remember the war: Oct 28
Kelvin then says; Is it because of the trauma of the war they can't remember: Oct 28
Isah looks a bit confused and then says; that the children's parents can remember and would tell of the bad times: Oct 28
I am Samantha by the way Live Tweeting for @InepdKelvin while he visits the Inepd International supported school in Sierra Leone: Oct 28
We are now walking now towards the classroom. Kelvin is wearing casual light tan hemp slacks with dark brown boating lofas: Oct 28
He has an Inepd International Campaign T-Shirt “Forgotten Conflicts Where Are They Now?”: Oct 28
and an Inepd International Inepd bright green waist coat(with many pockets): Oct 28
Kelvin and the Principal Isah have just entered the classroom. Kelvin says a big “How di bodi”to everyone: Oct 28
The children burst back with a “Di bodi fine”. The children then start singing a song. “Another day in Paradise” by Phil Collins: Oct 28
Kelvin was really moved by the song and has just wiped a tear from his eye and is spontaneously clapping and complimenting the children: Oct 28
We sit down with the students and teachers of the school: Oct 28
It is a simple classroom with old wooden chairs and tables with a well worn chalk board: Oct 28
Now Isah has asked Kelvin if he would like to say something and Isah will translate: Oct 28
Kelvin said he thought they spoke English: Oct 28
Isah says yes they do a little but. But they speak Crio which is similar to English and their mother tongues: Oct 28
Kelvin says; he just though everyone's English was pretty bad here: Oct 28
Kelvin starts his speech: Oct 28
Kelvin says: Thank you for the warm welcome. It is a privilege to be here and I am looking forward to learning from you all: Oct 28
He goes on: I have come here from far far away. I travelled many moons to be here and have left my family like you did during the war: Oct 28
All you amazing children and your dedicated teachers inspire me and Inepd International to strive each day in enabling poverty development: Oct 28
Kelvin finishes his speech and sits down: Oct 28
Isah then asks if he has questions for the children: Oct 28
Kelvin asks; when did you children come here to Waterloo: Oct 28
No child responds to the question just blank looks. Then Kelvin asks were you all able to find your parents: Oct 28
Once again some confusion in the staff and children. No child responds: Oct 28
Kelvin appears a little fidgety and then asks the children if they like football: Oct 28
The children then shout yes and start naming football teams and players: Oct 28
Kelvin now more relaxed and asks if any of the children support West Coventry with a bit of a smile: Oct 28
Once again there is silence from kids and teachers. Kelvin then asks if we should move on: Oct 28
We then walk to an activity room with a small library, few games and puzzles for the children: Oct 28
I am Samantha by the way Live Tweeting for @InepdKelvin while he visits the Inepd International supported school in Sierra Leone: Oct 28
There is artwork from the children. Isah is telling about how it is also important for the children to play and be creative: Oct 28
Kelvin asks why there aren't depictions of war in the children's drawing like helicopter gunships or burning houses etc: Oct 28
Isah says they concentrate on what the children experience around them and their families: Oct 28
Isah says one child James does draw war scenes. Isah points to his drawing: Oct 28
Kelvin is visible shocked by the stick figures: Oct 28
One stick figures has large muscles and a red head band with an automatic weapon shooting scores of people: Oct 28
Isah says that Jame's parents run a video store & Jame's favorite character is Rambo; they have asked him to stop drawing this type of scene: Oct 28
Kelvin's composure has returned. Isah asks if we would like to stay for lunch and chat with the staff: Oct 28
Our Driver says that we have to go as we have to make it to Makeni before sunset: Oct 28
We say goodbye and head to the landcruiser: Oct 28
I am handing the tweets back to @InepdKelvin see you all. Bye all: Oct 28
Right I am back. Just a fantastic visit and incredible children and teachers. Thanks so much to Samantha for tweeting for me: Oct 28
Having suffered so much and still able to smile. It was such an uplifting experience: Oct 28
I really felt that I learnt so much more from these children than I taught then: Oct 28
Although only a short visit I will remember these children and their Principal Ian always. : Oct 28
