Here's a sneak preview of our Spring-exclusive reporting experience
A year with GOAL Sierra Leone
This year, we’re bringing you alongside one specific local partner team, GOAL Sierra Leone, so you can get to know some of the people you’re investing in, go deeper into their work, and see the impact of your monthly donation in real-time. Speaking of real-time... scroll down for live updates!
Notes from Sierra Leone
In April, our creative team traveled to Sierra Leone to gather the stories, photos, and videos that we’ll share with you throughout the year. Senior copywriter Bailey Jurgens also kept a daily journal so that supporters like you could come along for the ride.
by Bailey Jurgens
DAY 0
Packing is my kryptonite
I am not, by nature, a procrastinator. But if there’s one thing that I will delay, drag out, and dread for days, it’s packing.
It doesn’t matter where I’m going, how long I’m gone, or who I’ll see — packing has always been my kryptonite...
DAY 1
Surrendering to travel karma
Lack of control. I think that’s what bothers people the most about traveling. There’s only so much you can do — you are ultimately at the mercy of the weather, the gate agent, the pilot, the kindness of your fellow passengers, the inner workings of the mechanical bits of the airplane that...
DAY 2
The flight marathon ends in 32 minutes
I am on flight 4 of 4 and just 45 minutes from the final destination.
I’ll admit, the four-flight marathon that didn’t sound so bad at first is starting to catch up to me. And no matter how many methods I try, I can’t seem to get real sleep while...
DAY 2 (CONTINUED)
Exactly where I’m supposed to be
The boat rocks enthusiastically in the waves as two men try to offer stability. They stand on either side of the ferry’s entry — a hinged half-door that is currently swung open. A relay of people and luggage makes its way aboard. We arrived here from the...
DAY 3
Goodnight from Sierra Leone
After four flights, a ferry, and two car rides, I will admit that my thoughts currently mirror the view I had from the passenger seat of today’s Land Cruiser: swirling, whirling, and a blurry blend of colors, language, and names. I would detail it all for you, but...
DAY 4
It doesn’t get better than this
I love when a group of women get together. You can sense the camaraderie and the understanding. When it comes to collecting water, they all know exactly what one another is going through. You can also tell how strong they are. How smart. How...
DAY 6
We won’t forget
The boat rocks enthusiastically in the waves as two men try and offer stability. They stand on either side of the ferry’s entry — a hinged half-door that is currently swung open. A relay of people and luggage makes its way aboard. As I step off of...
DAY 7
Sleeping in for a good reason
On most days, we arrive relatively early to the communities. (Tomorrow’s call-time is 6:30 a.m., for example.) But today, we opted to arrive later than usual — and for good reason. This morning, our local partner...
DAY 8
Waiting for clean water
When Mamie gets access to clean water, she will no longer have to let the water settle before drinking it. She and her son will have water free from sediment, germs, critters, and disease. When Kadie gets clean water, she will take a long drink...
DAY 9
Drill day
There’s something about the horn honking as the rig pulls into town that makes us all start crying. The sound is joyous, rhythmic — an announcement that things are about to change. With only the horn, the rig’s...
DAY 10
The dream team
“The solution to any problem is not to run away from it.” - James Riak, Country Director for GOAL Sierra Leone
One day with GOAL and you’ll see that they’re living and breathing this advice...
DAY 11
On the road again
As we make our way north, jungle starts to give way to farmland. The lush greenery fades into brown, baked earth and dehydrated palms fall limp in the harsh sunshine. It feels like a fitting scene for a...
DAY 12
No sleep
Friends (if you’ve read this far, we’re friends now), I’m going to be honest with you …Due to a combination of cockroaches, 90+ degree heat, a bug net that turned into a personal sauna, and thin walls, I got very...
DAY 13
Maintenance phase
Solving the water crisis starts with building new water points. But let me emphasize the word starts. Building is only the beginning. Maintaining and rehabbing water points is how we’ll solve the problem long-term...
DAY 14
Going home
Were we here for two weeks, two seconds, or two years? Somehow, it seems appropriate to answer “yes” to all of the above. There’s a part of me that isn’t ready — I don’t want to say any more goodbyes...
Did you miss previous updates? You can check out the blog Field Notes: Volume 1 to read Mercy's interview with Water Programs Manager, Megan Renfro, or Field Notes: Volume 3 to read Mercy's interview with Content Lead, Cubby Graham, and Senior Copywriter, Bailey Jurgens.
