Sundays in Freetown, Sierra Leone

Sundays are an important family time in Sierra Leone. It is said that it is easy to notice the 20-30% Christian population on Sunday as families, beautifully dressed in similar fabric, walk to church. The photos show the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Freetown, Sierra Leone. I participated in weekly Mass at this Cathedral. It is not the largest Catholic Church but remains the oldest. It remains small because the property does not allow for expansion. Work on its construction began in November 1884 with a dedication on October 27, The simple church is filled with lively African music with services lasting 2-3 hours. The length of the service connected to many announcements after the Roman Catholic Mass.

Open Freetown Markets

Every day, including Sundays, the Freetown streets are filled with markets and merchants moving supplies from one location to the next. The transportation for most people is on a KeKe (3 wheel type rickshaw) which costs about one US dollar to travel anywhere in Freetown. The extreme poverty experience for 46.6 percent of the total population of Sierra Leone creates a need for foreign support in areas of education, health care and support for children. 

A rooster in Sierra Leone says, "Cocorioko". After Mass we occasionally enjoyed eating at the Chicken Town. I am sitting with fellow crew members from France and Senegal.