Phil Dobson - Freetown - 1 April 2010 - www.ourmaninsierraleone.com

It’s proving difficult to keep this updated. The infrequent and unsubstantial electricity supply along with the temperamental internet connection limits correspondence. I’ve always taken the luxuries of electricity and running water for granted. I dream of having a decent bath. Throwing water over myself, about 5 litres is what I ration for bathing, isn’t satisfying or refreshing, especially in these conditions. At the moment it’s so humid. The rains have started earlier than usual this year. The lightening is fantastic, it sounds as though the whole sky is collapsing.

There was a snake on the site the other morning. It was discovered beneath the some of the building materials. How about that for a hazard?! One of the workers dealt the snake a sentence of execution.

Work on the foundations is almost complete. Hopefully mid-April the ground floor slab will be cast. The site team express their gratitude to CODEP for the job and learning opportunities that are provided through the construction of the Equiano Centre. The team are proud to be working on a project that will benefit the community for generations to come.

During the next few days I intend travelling to the interior. Apparently most people flock to the beach this weekend so I’m heading East. Hopefully find somewhere which has horses. I feel like adventuring on horseback.