The Unknown Kingdom, Unsung Warriors

All I know.
For the gruesome civil war had drenched the land, leaving a bloody soaking ground.
The grotesque civil war had traumatized the people, leaving a grief stricken heart.

But this land will be my home soon.
And these people will be my neighbors soon.

For the very little I know of the past overwhelmed me with great fear.
So I seek out

As I learned this West African land, I see beauty. On the west, it’s the glorious Atlantic coastline with pristine colorful beaches, followed by low-lying mangrove swamps. And the refreshing mountainous plateau lined the east, this very scenic undulating nature is the home to the many heritage mountain villages. Then the central is covered with tropical rainforests, grassland savannas and scattered farmlands - imagine such a diverse landscape. I could hardly conceal my excitement to step my feet on this unknown kingdom.

 



Soft sand and clear water of Tokeh Beach, SierreLeone



As I studied these West African people, I find life. In the midst of exacerbating hardship and poverty, yet the people smile with mesmerizing hope and dance with soaring courage. The aftermath of civil strife does not dishearten their spirits instead they become stronger. Even with physical disablements, their heaps put me to shame. I could barely withhold my enthrallment to greet these unsung warriors.

And, now the very presence I discover liberated me with wondrous joy.




The single-legged footballers of the Sierra Leone Amputee Sports Club

Information

During Sierra Leone's decade-long civil war, rebels developed the horrific tactic of chopping off the hands or legs of civilians as a way of sowing terror in the population.