Young Life in Freetown | We Were Young Once

 Many old people have got something to say about when they were young. 

In Freetown, Mr. Abdul Karim Kamara is a 75-year-old man, who used to be a tailor. Mr. Kamara said although he didn't go to school, his tailoring skills helped him fend for himself and his family. Mr. Kamara spent all his youthful days in Makeni, the largest city in northern Sierra Leone. He was such a famous tailor, all the surrounding villages had him sew their clothes. But things got difficult when the civil war came. He lost his wife, Adama, his house, and the rebels took away all his savings and his sewing machine. He felt devastated. 

Later, he traveled to Freetown, more than 80 miles away. In the capital, he served as a shopkeeper for five years. With his savings, he was able to buy another sewing machine and started tailoring on Black hall road, east of Freetown. 

But as time passed, his hands started trembling. Since he could no longer do the job to his customers’ satisfaction, he handed the machine to Alie, the only boy child. All the girls were married and gone to their new homes. Alie sold the machine and went away with the money. Mr. Kamara now stays with his two grandchildren, Yatiti and Yandama. "My old age isn't healthy and fun as I'm always left on my own. I had a full life in my youthful days."

Eighty-year-old Mrs. Marian Cole stays in Hastings, about 15 miles east of Freetown, with her daughter-in-law, Hannah, and her grandchildren. Mrs. Cole worked as a clerical officer for a company when she was younger. She said her youthful days were amazing as all her dreams came true with a handsome husband, an intelligent son, and beautiful career. Her husband died during the early part of the war. When she retired in 1998, seven years after the war began, her only son lost his life in an accident. “Even with all the heartbreaks, I'm still able to survive with Hannah and my grandchildren. I give God glory."

 Richard Mewah is 95, and a retired teacher. He stays in Rokupa, about 5 miles from Freetown, with his wife, children, and grandchildren He taught at Freetown’s Muslim Brotherhood Secondary School for 40 years. Mr. Mewah said he was born in Bo, the largest city in the South.  He came to Freetown at age 15 and has lived in the capital ever since. Mr. Mewah said the war destroyed a part of his dreams and took away most of his assets. But one asset the war didn’t take was his wife. 

He's grateful that they are still together, experiencing old age. Although his wife is admitted to the Rokupa Government hospital, as she took ill last week, he knows they've lived a wonderful life. Though life is tough, his children are ensuring that he and his wife get a dignified ending. "It isn't easy but God still rules and love overweighs."

For Young Life in Freetown, I'm Inyilla Conteh reporting.