Friday, January 24, 2014

Dry Season


Happy New Years to everyone back home!!!

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful holiday and I wish you the best for 2014.

Its amazing to think I’m nearly 7 months into my 27 month service here in Sierra Leone. Time has flown, and after 6 months I am beginning to feel like an effective volunteer. I came to realize that my role as a teacher was merely one aspect of my service. I find my role as a mentor and community member has had a much greater bearing.


After Peace Corps In-Service Training (IST) I’ve begun brainstorming secondary projects to put into motion. Naturally I would like my secondary project(s) to be conservation based, geared towards conserving wildlife and habitat while benefiting the communities of Sierra Leone. So after a brief update on school I thought I would share some of my experiences (and passion) with the natural wonders of Sierra Leone. Hope you enjoy!

Second Term:

My second term has started off well. And it certainly helps knowing what you’re walking into! I’ve begun teaching my High school students how to define life and the characteristics of living things. I find walking into the class with live samples always catches student’s interest. I thought an Agama lizard would make for a good quiz. I stood, lizard in hand, and questioned my class on how this animal consumed energy, moved, and reproduced (along with other characteristics of living things). But as fun as I have with activities, samples, and experiments... my favorite aspect of teaching has been shedding new light on something the students have seen a thousand times, but never truly looked at. We take so many things for granted in the world around us, but they shape our lives each and every day. My middle school students are learning such lessons, as I teach them about air, water, and soil. And I’m constantly learning as I go.

You know those silly academic tricks your teachers used to do when you were little? Never thought I’d be doing such things in a million years…and now I’m pulling popsicle sticks out of cups to call on students. Thanks mom. 


Outamba-Kilimi National Park (OKNP):


A quiet secluded place hardly known by the world. Most difficult to get to, and hardly “on the way” to anything. But such places have their rewards. My journey started alongside three wonderful friends I had met through Peace Corps, Annie, Stephanie, and Crystal. Annie and I are wildlife enthusiasts and were invited to help share our passion with our friends. But after having pulled dead snakes out of the river during our trip, I can only imagine what our friends think of us now…


We stayed in a nice hut for 20,000 leons, about $5.00 per night. After traveling such a road, a bed and mosquito net made for a pleasant suprize. We were right off the Little Scarcies River. Several birds I had never heard of called overhead, and monkeys paid our camp a visit in the afternoon. We took a canoe tour the following morning with the locals running the park. The river was quiet. Only monkeys and birds disturbed the silence. But we had our hopes set on something bigger. I scanned the water ahead for the beasts. I inspected every outcrop of rocks as we turned each bend. My hope was waning. Finally, after what seemed hours we saw them. An outcrop of stones in the distance. But with my camera’s zoom, Hippos! As we neared, our boatman pulled us towards the side opposite to the River Hippopotamus. Enough distance to enjoy a good view and for the animals to feel comfortable. Suddenly a large hippopotamus surfaced and showed us her size. It was a warning. Any closer to my calf and we’ll have problems. She was a mother. But we reassured her with our motionless boats. I could have sat there all day. We watched as mother and calf played. A pod of 9 hippopotamus. And if the people didn’t protect them, or fear them so, they wouldn’t be here. 



But there were traces left by something bigger...
Many Sierra Leoneans are under the impression that elephants had left the country. Perhaps they fled during the war. But the large gaping hole in the forest and trampled bank could be nothing else. This entrance, likened to that of the mouth of a cave, could only be made by an elephant. For the time being they’re out wandering the bush in Guinea. But a time will come when they’ll cross the river only to find themselves here in Salone (seasonal migration). I will return in the hopes of finding fresh tracks… maybe even a fleeting glimpse of gray hide. One can only hope.

Though my search for the Nile monitor was never fufilled, it led me to further discoveries at Outamba-Kilimi. I had been swimming amidst the tangles of trees overlaying the brown waters searching for the elusive lizard. Sadly, both rocks and trees lay barren. So I clampered up the nearest slough, only to find my hands amongst a series of buffalo tracks. Further inspection led me to find bush pig, mongoose, and numerous other signs unknown to me. It was a goldmine! I suspect I will find myself here again soon.



Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary:

The Tacugama chimpanzee sanctuary was a wonderful escape outside Freetown’s bustling traffic and crowded sidewalks. I had travelled here in the hopes of learning about the conservation of chimpanzee and gaining some resources for my classroom. Tucked away on the mountain pass, a 1km shaded walk amidst birds and butterflies was all it took to reach the entrance. Steep though it was, the walk allowed us to appreciate the forest around us before giving way to the hooting chimpanzees. Our tour began at 10:30 sharp. We learned about the chimp's stories and family groups of chimpanzee living at the sanctuary. I was impressed with the educational murals and resources available at the sanctuary. The chimps had nice sleeping quarters which gave way to runs leading to large enclosures full of wild. Seeing the chimpanzee was no problem as they all came to greet staff members and accept their morning meal. I was only saddened by thoughts of such animals being taken from the wild both by Sierra Leoneans and Americans. Illegal trade, deforestation (coal burning), and bushmeat are the greatest threats to chimpanzee in Sierra Leone. Though I prefer such animals to be free in the wild, this beautiful sanctuary is a step in the right direction.




Burey Beach:

I had the opportunity to see more of the country traveling to Buray beach for New Years. And what I stumbled upon was far better than words can describe. And believe me, my fellow Peace Corps friends tried. A beautiful tropical beach came into view. Sandy beaches emersed from the mangroves, giving way to a picture- perfect postcard. Palms leaned, stretching for the sun. Perhaps over-barren with delicious coconuts, who’s milk I’ve come to love all too much? As if palms and beaches weren’t enough… the rocky outcrops gave way to an island. A trophy as good as any for the swim! And what lay beneath the waters was treasure enough for me. Turtle bones, rainbow parrotfish, and a variety of darting colors I have yet to identify. The one oddity I had packed was my snorkel mask…and boy has it come in good use! I watched fishermen pull up barracuda, yellow-fin tuna, and lobsters the length of your forearm. And as delicious as they were, I was saddened to see several female lobsters brought up bearing eggs. I knew such luxuries would not survive long without sustainable harvest (But that’s another project I’m working on). The locals were so kind to us! I was even invited to join some locals collecting oysters. I joined two young boys and an old pa on the rocks. Stone and iron rod in hand we dove amongst the rocks plucking the organisms from their fortresses . Now I have new friends and a free spot on the beach!
I hope these experience encourage others to travel and volunteer. There are rough times in basic conditions and I miss my friends and family more than I ever could have imagined…but I’m living life to the fullest experiencing different cultures and witnessing places few seldom travel. So take all this awesomeness as encouragement to pursue such experiences as Peace Corps.
 


A picture of my neighbors holding a dead Forest Cobra. As you can see, this specimen was over 2m long! This snake had been killed in a nearby village and was brought to me for my science class. We love our science!!!

Well... Dry season is coming, and its going to be a long dry season.
Until next time...

All my Love,
Matthew Solberg

p.s. My fullest and utmost appreciation to those that sent school supplies! My appreciation is just a small piece of what these students felt upon receiving such gifts. I promise to send pictures!