Why I think I'm going

It's a question I imagine most people who travel to the developing world grapple with. Why go?

Why live in a house without running water, described thusly by its current inhabitants: "You can expect several varieties of small and huge cockroaches, preying [sic] mantises, ants, termites, mice … they’re your new roommates"? And why, for the love of all things sacred, do it for no monetary gain (as pre-departure costs mount and I increasingly find I'll probably even lose money out of this)?

They're valid questions, and ones I'm sure at least some of my readers would love to hear answers to. So here's why I think I'm going - and I stress the word 'think' because I'm not even sure I possess the self-awareness to know completely what draws me to Sierra Leone.

Admittedly, some of my motives involve self-interest. I'm sick of school and I think this is an opportunity that will strengthen me as a journalist. I think throwing myself so desperately far out of my comfort zone will afford me countless opportunities for growth as a person. And I just generally subscribe to the belief that those who see a greater segment of the world than their country of birth are better equipped to maintain an open mind and understand the issues facing an absurdly complex global community.

But I also want to go because I think it's a tremendously exciting time to be in Sierra Leone. This is a country that, only five years removed from one of the bloodiest, most brutal civil wars in modern history, managed to have free and fair elections at both the national and, just two months ago, local levels. According to everyone I've spoken with, the majority of Sierra Leoneans are tremendously friendly, helpful people - and I see no reason why they shouldn't be given opportunities because they had the bad luck to be born into dire circumstances.

And from a journalism and human rights point of view, there could be no better time to be in Sierra Leone. The Special Court for Sierra Leone is currently trying Charles Taylor - the former Liberian President accused of backing the RUF (Revolutionary United Front) rebels in an effort to gain control over Sierra Leone's diamond mines. Shortly after my arrival, a verdict is expected in the trial of RUF leaders.

These are historic rulings not only for Sierra Leone, but for all the world, similar to the international tribunals on Yugoslavia and Rwanda. What self-respecting journalist wouldn't want an opportunity to bear witness to that?

But ultimately, I look forward to an opportunity to work with passionate journalists and hopefully help them improve, while simultaneously learning from them. A quote from Miriama Khai Fornah in a story by current JHR trainer Rachael Borlase provides an instructive example.

Speaking about the opportunity to cover the Taylor trial, she says, “As a journalist, I’m a mouthpiece for the people. I’m serving as a medium between the government and its citizens. So if I don’t go down and unearth what’s really happening, then the people are blind because nobody will be there to give them the truth.” Turns out journalists can be the same passionate ideologists no matter what corner of the globe they call home.

So, that's where I stand, with only three and a half weeks to go before I leave. Regardless of how accurate my current self-assessment may be, I know it'll be interesting to look back on this come May and evaluate how my views have changed as a result of my experiences - and that's kind of the point.