October 3, 2000
Daru, Sierra Leone on an ICI helicopter
Daru is in eastern Sierra Leone and is surrounded by
RUF.
ICI allowed me to hitchhike on a flight to Daru via
Bo and Kenema. ICI is doing a phenomenal job in
Sierra Leone, using highly trained personnel and equipped
for any contingency. They have been criticized
by some NGOs for arming their personnel, but being
armed allows them to safely travel to places
unarmed transport companies and organizations would
not dare. They have been operating in West Africa
for several years and have picked up a few bullet
holes in their aircraft doing what other companies and
organizations would not even attempt. Most NGO
people that I've talked to accept that if things get really
dangerous for their personnel in the field, it might
take ICI to pull them out . . .
Flying in from the ocean over the coastal plain.
Coastal swampland.
Looking into the cargo area of ICI's helicopter.
On this trip they were taking blackboards and other
school supplies, all for NGOs.
Bo
Bo
Bo
Bo International Airport
Moa River
Daru
Daru - the UN buildings are on the right.
Basketball courts in Daru. As far as I know RUF
have yet to field a team . . .
An Indian UN truck at Daru. The Indians have
the best reputation of all of the UN troops, displaying
professionalism and doing numerous community projects
in their areas. Their impending
departure from the mission is a huge blow to the UN
efforts AND to Sierra Leone.
A UN camp at Daru, note the slit trench in the background.
Looking towards the landing strip at Daru.
Village and school
These unsightly mud holes are diamond pits. This
is what it's all about . . .
More diamond pits near Kenema.
Kenema
Kenema
Kenema
Kenema
Refugee camp, Kenema
Moyamba area
Blama Refugee Camp
School kids in a small town
If you have comments, suggestions, death threats or job offers, email me at
Hoosier84@aol.com