Sierra Leone, cry the beloved country.

Lebogang Madise
Aug 24, 2017 · 3 min read

Since the break of the devastating news of the mudslides in Sierra Leone I have been speechless. I remembered the first time I heard of the country, it was back in 2002 and the topic was blood diamonds which date back centuries before I was born, it was heartbreaking! Then fast forward to 2014 with the outbreak of Ebola that took the lives of many people in north and west Africa, Sierra Leone was one of the countries that was most affected. Many people died, the scary thing was people were dying of a virus that was unheard off and no cure was available. Medical doctors from across the world were faced with the decision of putting their lives at risk in hope to prolong the lives of those affected and explore ways of not having it spread; like many others, we watched on tv like it was a movie.

It’s unbelievable that in this new age of advanced science, masses of people can die of an unheard, incurable disease/virus. Many speculated that it could be some form of “nuclear weapon” created to wipe the lives of masses of people… Ebola revealed a lot about the character and measures people would take to protect themselves and their wellbeing.

In times like these one is ashamed when to pray because somewhere at the back of your head, you’re relieved that it didn’t take place in or near your country, that you are safe…


Talking about my country, worse things than virus outbreaks have happened; Xenophobia.


Today as many are displaced from their homes due to the mudslides, some fighting for their lives and many others dead and not afforded a funeral due to their bodies not yet being recovered; I am left with no words. The hashtag “PrayForSierraLeone” beckons me to quote:

If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? – James 2:16

I feel helpless. Sierre Leone, I don’t know to what extend geographically its affected but seems like a place not safe for people to live in, be it so, where shall they go?

I know many people scattered around the world who have left their countries due to war, drought and other natural and manmade disasters and would love to go back to their motherland but cannot because conditions are unfavourable. I have no words to Pray for Sierra Leone for I no not what to ask of God if I am not able to open my door as a place of safety and refuge.

For now all I can do is light a candle and hope that one day things will be ok, for now, it hurts to see you mourn Sierra Leone, whilst you’re still grieving your children, brothers and sisters whom you’ve lost.

I no not from where you shall find comfort, may God remember you Sierra Leone.

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