Please, please, please…if you haven’t already done so or it has been awhile, take 3 minutes and 27 seconds out of your day to watch this incredible video of Feremusu’s story in her own words. We promise it will be worth it! Seeing where Feremusu came from will make today’s blog story much more impactful.

One of the long-range goals of the Mamaland Children’s Village is for orphaned and destitute children to catch a vision for who they can become through education, perseverance and faith-based character development. The hope is that these children will have big dreams to reach their fullest potential and that many, if not all of them, may one day return to their Villages to help make Sierra Leone a better place. Ultimately to, “be the change you wish to see in the world,” as Gandhi once said. We believe that the Daughters of Mamaland will add to the growing number of capable leaders, compassionate visionaries and everyday citizens who care deeply for their country and its future generations…just like our program leaders, Ali and Dorcas Kamanda, have done.

The government identifies and sends children from all over the region to live at Mamaland. A legitimate question is: how will these children return to their Villages to help their own people one day, if they have lost personal connection with their communities, including some no longer able to speak the same language? At the government’s direction, a plan has been set in place for the girls to return to their Villages for periodic visits. One of the oldest girls, Feremusu, was selected to go first, returning to her Village where her father was once the Chief. Devin and Beth interviewed Feremusu together over the phone. As you will soon see, Feremusu’s time reconnecting with her community and getting a taste of a different life, was transformative for her.

D & B: How did you feel when you learned that you would be the first of your sisters to return to her village for an extended visit?

F: I felt sad because I would not be with my sisters over Christmas. I wanted to be with them and love them very much. I also felt a little scared. I knew that I would be staying with my Auntie, my Mom’s sister, but I do not have any memory of her.

D & B: Can you tell us what happened when you arrived in your village?

F: When we got there, we went to see the Paramount Chief and another Chief. They both had to sign documents saying that they would take good care of me and keep me safe while I was there. My Auntie and others in the Village seemed very happy to see me. We took some pictures and then I went to my Auntie’s house with her. She lives in a house made of blocks. I saw that there was one bed on cement blocks with a mat on top to sleep.

D & B: What was a typical day like for you in the Village? 

F: In the morning, I would help to sweep the place. Then I would go with the other women and children to fetch water. We walked 15 minutes to the river and carried the water in jugs on our heads. It was hard! We would wash all the clothes in the river. Every day all of the children in the village help their parents on the farm. I went with them to pick peppers for hours. My hands hurt so much and started aching a lot! After a long time, I started crying because my hands hurt so much and it was so hot! I wanted to stop but I kept going. My Auntie told me it was because my hands aren’t used to farming. As time went on, I got used to it. After long days, we would return to the Village, bathe in the river and then eat rice with peppers on top. At different times, all the people in my village would do their Muslim prayers. They did not make me do Muslim prayers and told me that it is my choice to be a Christian or a Muslim. While they prayed, I would stay home and read my Bible.

D & B: Can you tell us more about the kids and adults that you met in your village?

F: There were about 20 or 30 kids in the Village and I became friends with all of them. I taught them games that I play with my sisters at Mamaland. They liked the new games! I talked to the adults in my Village a lot. They told me what my full name is and that my mom had died in 2011. I learned that my Auntie is the only family member that I have left. They said that my mom did not have very much but that she always shared what she had and was good to others. I felt happy when they told me that I look like my mom and that I remind them of her. The adults asked me about how I am doing in school and what my position is. I told them that I am doing well in school and am in the 3^rd position in my class. They told me that they are really struggling and are depending on me. I told them that I would take my studying seriously.

D & B: What else would you like to tell us about your time there?

F: I noticed that they were drinking water straight from the river that was contaminated. I asked them to bring a clean pot and we filled it with water. We made a fire and boiled the water in the pot. I taught them how to drink clean and pure water so that they will not get sick. I also taught them about hygiene and not contaminating the river with the baby’s poopie nappies (diapers). They all listened to me and I felt good that I could help them.

D & B: Did you ever feel fearful of your safety at any time?

F: No, I never felt unsafe when I was there. They took good care of me.

D & B: How did it go when it was time to leave and do you want to visit your Village again?

F: Yes, I want to visit my village again. I was a little sad to leave and a little happy to leave. When I left, my Auntie cried and they gave me a chicken as a gift. 

I missed my sisters at Mamaland so much while I was gone! When I returned, my sisters all ran out to the vehicle and gave me lots of hugs. They asked me many questions about my time away.

D & B: What are the biggest things you learned from this experience?

F: I learned what a big opportunity I have in being at Mamaland. There is such a difference between my life and the conditions in the Village. They are really struggling there. I get to eat three meals a day and they eat twice a day and it is mostly rice. At Mamaland, I have my own bed and it is very comfortable. In the Village, the mat bed was very uncomfortable, and we had six of us sleeping in one bed. All of the children work very hard in the fields. I get to go to school and focus on my studies.

D & B: Feremusu, thank you so much for talking with us today. We sure are proud of you for being brave and open to this experience. Our last question, you have always said since you were little, that you want to be the President of Sierra Leone one day. Is that still your dream for the future?

F: I have added to that plan. Now I want to become a female Doctor first. Then I plan on having my own pharmacy. After that is running well, I am going to get into politics and will become the President of Sierra Leone.

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After we got off the phone, Devin and I got teary-eyed as we marveled at the massive dreams and tremendous potential of this remarkable 15-year-old. She is a double orphan who has literally come from nothing. 

We plan to save this blog to share with the world at her inauguration.

She always believed.

And so do we.

Please click here if you would like to give a donation of any amount to this life-changing program or here to sponsor one of these girls. Thank you!