Pit Stops on Le Tour de Sierra Leone
2. Kamakwie: Located in Bombali District in 3. Kabala: Kabala is headquarters for CAUSE in
the Northern Province of Sierra Leone,
Kamakwie’s population of 8000 is predominantly
from Limba, Temne, and Loko ethnic groups.
CAUSE Canada had a longstanding presence in
this area but was forced out during a
particularly violent period of the civil war. Our
visit coincides with CAUSE’s re-entry to the
area: CAUSE will kick-off a micro-enterprise
initiative that will be celebrated by tribal
ceremonies, local dignitaries and CAUSE
1. Lungi: Sierra Leone’s only
international airport, Lungi is
located across a broad estuary
from the capital of Freetown.
There are a number of options
for getting to the capital: You
can drive for 5-8 hours on a
largely dirt road, board a
crowded car ferry, cross in a
local “Pam-Pam” boat taxi, or
take the speed boat service
that recently replaced the
troubled helicopter shuttle. We
will likely take the speed boat
option on the return trip, but
6. Freetown: The Tour de
Sierra Leone will terminate in
the capital of Sierra Leone at
beautiful Lumley Beach. The
ever gracious CAUSE Canada
Country Director, Arthur
Cummings, former Executive
Director for the Red Cross in
Sierra Leone has plans for this
Northern Sierra Leone. Regional Director Mr.
Augustine Zoker and dedicated local staff manage
programs through the area related to women’s
empowerment, micro-enterprise, literacy,
reforestation, agriculture, clean water, sanitation, and
CAUSE Kids. CAUSE Kids is a child sponsorship
program involving 5000 students. It focuses on
primary education and “support of the girl child”;
both key UN Millennium goals. Uniformed school kids
provide a warm welcome, lining the streets singing,
4. Bo/Taiama Area: This is the focal
area for CAUSE’s maternal-child health
programming, led by the inspirational
Theresa Benjamin (RN). Theresa is a
60 something midwife who has
personally ushered hundreds of
children into this world. During the
war, Theresa, walked through the
jungle barefoot for over 6 weeks
bringing a dozen children out of
danger from marauding RUF troops
that were “recruiting” child soldiers.
Theresa was a refugee in Guinea for 2
years before CAUSE learned she had
5. Coastal Segment: The coast of
Sierra Leone is stunning! Our trip will
pass by beautiful fishing villages,
miles of white sand beaches and even
a few tourist destinations, like “River
Two” where we hope to feast on
barbequed barracuda. The St Michaels
resort, originally a Club Med, was shut
down by the war and later became a
centre for rehabilitation of child