See why Sierra Leone's Freetown is a ticking time bomb
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 มิ.ย. 2013
- Lost Freetown - Sierra Leone, 2009 - The expansion of this City has lead to it being on the brink of environmental and social disaster, and there appears to be no relief.
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Sierra Leone is booming. In capital Freetown the population is rising and new homes spring up daily. But, like the 1950s sewage pipes, the city is creaking under the weight. How long before Freetown cracks?
A land of wooded plains and white beaches, Sierra Leone was known as a pearl in the African crown. But the brutal civil war damaged the country's rural economy and displaced farming families. Now Freetown is expanding rapidly, but few see this as cause for celebration. 'Yeah we have come a long way', says OLU Gorden, a Journalist here. 'But there has been so much sacrifice for so little ground gained'. In the slums of Kroo Bay in Freetown, children pick their way across rivers of sewage on their way to school. 'You see children holding onto the filth for support as they climb through', says Lynette Pamer, a doctor who works in the area. 'There's malnutrition because of diarrhoea in the under 5s, malaria, worms. They are all affected'. The city's two dumps are badly located, admits John Kamara of the Ministry of Lands: 'They are within the city, in water bodies, close to the sea.'. Freetown is engulfed in a tide of pollution that is spreading to the surrounding countryside. 'It's becoming an environmental disaster', says one Sierra Leone commentator. 'In a few years we will see this disaster come to pass'.
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Before I left Sierra Leone in the mid 2000's, I had several discussions with local and international NGO's about finding ways to resolve this specific crisis which seemed unstoppable, even then. During that time the youth unemployment rate was around 70% and with the country fast becoming unable to feed itself, it was a massive disaster waiting to happen. Another major concern were the piles of rubbish mounting around the city.
When it came to the over population of the city, my suggestion was to create a massive farm, or several ones which could produce all kinds of crop to feed the population while providing jobs for the youth who could be relocated to rural areas where accommodation could be built to house them and offer the basics of food,shelter,clothing,education and healthcare as well as access to training and apprenticeships for all kinds of fields in the farming sector. It really isn't rocket science and I've just seen that the former British High Commissioner Peter Pendfold and a former General in the British Army have got together recently to do just that. It took long enough and it saddens me that it takes a non Sierra Leonean to come up with the motivation and idea. There no longer seems to be any pride in the leaders of the country and I suspect the more poverty they can rain down on the people, the more the international community will be forced to give aid and make the country even more indebted for generations yet unborn. Greed seems insatiable among some and it can sometimes take a massive disaster to make those responsible realise just how evil they are and for solutions to be found. My parting words to a former colleague at the UN who happened to be a pastor was that I felt that corruption permeated every part of society and it would take several generations to at least reduce it. His answer was only Divine Intervention could save the nation and I'm actually beginning to believe him now.
Isnt it bc of corruption? Their leaders take all and leave the people poor?
Lot people s to go back up line
The problem with Sierra Leone is mainly the poverty.
When the people’s economic fortunes improve, a lot of these issues will go away.
The people are just trying to get by, however they can.
I'm glad I visited Freetown in the 80's................this present Freetown and its environs is so very depressing to see...............
i was there in 70‘s , it makes me really sad.
L
Watching this and seeing the rains and mudslide explains a whole lot why this issue today. All this could have been avoided if the government and also the citizens would take care of their waste products.
Journeyman pictures your prediction of a catastrophic Freetown has finally come to pass with the latest mudslide and flooding. I wonder if our leaders have time to look at these stuffs and act appropriately.
In the last five minutes Gary Walker, an eco-tourism entrepreneur, is interviewed. Tourism, specifically eco-tourism, provides a bright beacon of promise for this country. It appears that Mr Walker established a tourism business in the Banana Islands.
At 8:30 "no one seems to know who's authorizing the building." Truth be told, these inspectors have been paid off; they're literally in the people's pockets. The one issue is most of these folks could live off the land like my family did until I was 18, when moved to the states. But it seems like everyone wants to live in the city, post war. With inadequate resources, lack of access to even mediocre healthcare and poor sanitation, our sisters have resorted to becoming prostitutes, boys becoming highways robbers and children succumbing to preventable diseases at a very high rate. The white man left years ago, but we are still blaming them for our ineptitude. The issue with Africa lies with Africans, if it bears repeating.
some people have no choice
The people of Sierra Leone just voted, sanitation and environmental issues are the least of their concerns. My people voted based on tribalism, nepotism, and sentiment.
There should be NO WAY these Salonies should be living like this...a pastor just found an 706 lb diamond in March... And from what I heard it can range from the lowest 5million and up...so there's no way Salone should be looking like this...Salone has money and is very rich indeed...Question is where is the money at??? ...after that diamond was found March 2017 I heard nothing else about it and not even from Salone president...oh wait yes I did...Salone president said the diamond was in the bank somewhere safe😂😂😂😂😂😐😐😐😐😐he rather keep the diamond safe in the bank then try to change people lives and living arrangement...
Nubian Melanin Queen Corrupt Government...it's so upsetting. Africa has so much potential with all the natural resources it has...Let's hope for change.
Sierra Leone needs a new city!!!
How incredibly sad.... it never ceases to amaze me that such beautiful countries with many natural resources are oftentimes the ones that are cared for the least. Hopefully something can be done to save Sierra Leone and its people before it's too late; I only wish I had the finances to go and help, but at 16 there are few organizations willing to assume the risk of taking a minor to a third world country like this...
Your 27 now have you changed your mind?
Now what have you done to impact the world in your communities? Leave the Freetown alone. There are poor people around you everyday.
I just visited Sierra Leone and Kroo Bay. Unbelievable and unnecessary! Why no trash cans or garbage trucks or proper dumping grounds? I know everything requires money but at least start with cleaning things up which might give the natives the incentive to keep it that way.
World should ban plastic bags packaging, world should stop population growth. World should stop producing automobiles over 2000 cc engines. And change life style...
Thanks Journeyman.
The country is so beautiful. Why did this happen to such beautiful people? Oh God help them.
Amen
Solution for the over populated capital is to create job opportunities in the provinces. A massive over hall in sanitation is needed. Better city planning.
OMG! The landslide was already predicted 4 years ago, deforestation will only lead to loose mountain/hiĺl surface, such sad outcome from corruption.
Fantastic video! I like observing earth, discover and calm down...
Education is Key!
The sight of the Hills of Freetown as you approach the city from Lungi in traveling by the speedboats is even more scary of what might happen if here is some heavy down pour of rain during the rainy season.
We were warned by thr British NOT to cut down the trees on those slopes. Wr thought the British were talking nonsense. Boh leh we brush en buil yah. Den yone beteh.
I just visited December 2021 for my first time ever. I did not stay long enough to really learn what is really going on or how things work but it seems like a nice place.
This Country is a beautiful place before the war.
@@sarahmurray687 I only saw Freetown during the day and night for 2 days and it looked beautiful. The way the land has crazy hills makes the place so surreal and intensely unique.
It's amazing to see the conditions people live under
This is so sad. I didn't realise how bad it is, iv been visiting Gambia since 1987 and even in them days iv never seen anything like this. Now they have had to deal with ebola and recently mud slides
You can't blame people for trying to escape from this 😔😔
Such a beautiful Country ❤️
I was just in Freetown about a month ago, they have REMOVED all the bars & restaurants that were constructed on the beach (right on the shoreline) itself. The Government is rightly encouraging development on the right side of the road and off the shoreline.
Also I heard the hydro electrical power plant should be online soon (2010?). There is progress happening. The situation isn't perfect but the I'm glad its being talked about and steps are being taken to solve the problems facing Freetown.
I'm glad to announce that the first national cleaning already took place under the new government. I'm hoping that things get better soon.
Thank you! x
Poverty doesn't have to mean filth, damn...smh
Okay so without money how do you suggest people dispose of things??? Not everyone wants to burn everything you know. These people are actually extremely clean in terms of cleanliness, personal hygiene and cooking; It’s legit just infrastructure related things eg ACCESS to water and WATERBORNE diseases/ poor sanitation.
12:30 that conversation is hillarious 😂
That's very true... disease is a major concern, but I definitely agree with you- population increase will only make their problems worse... and I have never been a proponent of "free hand outs". However, I'm sure that providing these people a few more education opportunities wouldn't hurt, after all, most women in "industrialized" nations that have good education systems tend to have fewer children because they have more business opportunities.
My heart is bleeding considering what we supposed to have as a nation 💔
If these lazy bastards spent as much time cleaning up their lands as they do slacking off, they mite gain some pride, self-respect, and dignity. Who gives you the right to pollute the lands that you temporarily reside on? Your ancestors are screaming in their graves!
I am a proud of Sierra Leone and believe that in time our people will build and take care of this great nation........ There is no need to condemn this doc. Anyone who wants the best for this land can see that there is work to be done and opportunities for those who care to help. Education and respect for each other is lacking but growing. I am born in UK but call Sierra Leone home, after spending 3 months there last year I believe that Sierra Leone can become one of the best countries in Africa
my heart shed tears seeing this in my beloved country
Get foundations that plant trees to come in to re-plant the trees lost! It's a shame to see a beautiful land destroyed!
Wtf are you talking about?
Let them go back
I saw a documentary one time about some tribal people in africa who lived out in the jungle, raised pigs and planted their gardens and stuff. They didn't have any of these problems. Some people from the city invited them to come play soccer and get aquainted and when they were asked why they kept living in the old ways they just said the old ways were better and they didn't have all the problems and didn't want them.
Is there a music bed missing here? Are we just hearing one channel? Strange gaps in the audio. Otherwise interesting.
The City has to put up Trashcans to give the people at least a choice to throw their garbage in. Without Trashcans available the people will throw the garbage on the ground, cuz they have no choice.
after reading a long way gone by ishmael beah i was tripped out about life in sierra leone. being a boy soldier would suck..
Wow. @ 1:19 that tree is gigantic! I wonder what kind of tree it is?
perfectbeat that's a cotton tree and no one knows how old it is
Breaks my heart to see this beautiful country and amazing people suffering like this. I pray the new president will do something. Sadly the Lebanese control the economy and put little if nothing back into the country. Now that the Colombians are not using it to channel cocain through there is also better things going on. Even though I nearly died and was in a coma for several months I still love this country an it's people. We habe tried before to build a factory to convert the trash to power but the then vice president was a crook
Mathew Peter thank you for your concerned, about my country. you're are right our leaders, are very corrupt, letting the Lebanese take all our wealth away and my people are dying in poverty. God bless you for spreading the awareness.....
Mathew Peter and there are only 9000 Lebanese people in Sierra Leone...
Mathew Peter Obviously you have not met a lot of Lebanese. Although a few don't make much effort but a lot have contributed over the decades in form of employing and establishing businesses and making the economy run. It's not their fault if no other can compete with them economically. They are not holding the government back, the government has the power to regulate and establish a friendly business environment and create fair game for all.
they are all crooks,and thieves my brother, sierra leone is my country and i love it very much and also very rich , but,the ,problem is that every want something out of nothing,,
Mathew Peter good stuff
16 jobs....for a city of 2 million...
Come on people clean up the place
Do people really think they're worried about environment problems when they do not even have food? deforestation is the least of their concerns.
I wish i could have the opportunity to to help. This ducumentry makes me cry in my mind.
this vid brings back memories, i love you africa
Nice
yeah, ecotourism is probably the only way you can get those ppl to understand not destroying nature
This sets out for us the scale of the problem and the solution
Hola! Este documental es excelente! Lastima que este en ingles. Imposible mostrarlo en los colegios de Argentina. Es fundamental que el mundo entero sepa los padecimientos del continente Africano.
Besos a todos
Rosarito
How’s this 11 yes ago
OMG. God help us. This is so sad. We need to do something about this.
"Financial attraction seems to outweigh any modicum of sensibleness, people doing things properly"...DAMN!! soo true
This is 2023. Nothing much has changed. Still sad.
I know this is old but that's so sad bless 🙏💯 them
Great Spirit, please let Thy Will be done for the forests, rivers and seas.
The Government of sierra leone has Neglected this area. They have to Help this community settlement. They're part of sierra leone. But this town is crazy for lack of sanitations.
There is huge lack of organizational skills.
Geez five years old and those kids have full time jobs
Funny from all the years I have rarely seen any positive media about Africa ,very strange!
How was this published on June 4, 2013, yet the top comments are 3 years old?
EricKhalisee WinchesterNorthman it was not originally for u tube. More than likely uploaded on tube 3yrs ago.
Who's still here 2021
No one wants to tackle the real issue. They only want to address the side effects. Not only here but also in most countries in the area.
This is really despicable. I dont understand why African Americans don't offer their expertise. I'm sure there are plenty of qualified people that can assist with the development.
My answer? Sierra Leone needs a new Capital City. Where should it be?
+HomeBiz Guru freetown
Europe here we come
HiP TV I suggest Bo
The citizens need to get a change of attitude towards the environment. Freetown is not the only populated city in the world. Our leaders should try to put modalities in place to stop this. I think its high time we change the name of the capital city from ''Freetown'' to something else. To me it looks like the name is taking a toll on the citizens.,Freetown..My fellow citizens, it's time for change...
Where there's no vision the people perish! Sierra Leone should have been a transforming country, but the leaders didn't have the knowledge to transform the country. They' enriched themselves, rather than changing the standard of living of the people.
one of my goal is to start a plastic and aluminium recycle plant.
ijkamarakeh have u started the recycle plant yet? If so how’s it doing so far?
Give. Them free bananas And vaccines, vitamines And vocational education.
odyky Birth control.
Oh no
Great Spirit, please let Your Will be done for the forests.
What the hell how people leaving like that
People should not live in these places. The government should do something to move these people to rural areas.
you do the same, just you have a wall between the kitchen and bathroom and some other guys take your trash away, they haven´t. you must to make a wider look
This is what happened when people don't like them self , My God save us and your generation Sad life for your Children 😭
The government of sereleon need to help this peoples.
The future of brazil...
I THINK ITS SAD THE CONDITION THESE PEOPLE LIVE,, 😔😔
I felt bad :(
1:00 that pig is in heaven!
That area is soooo beautiful to bad its so dangrious
yes i cried 2 c this
Sad Salone
At 3:49 a guy is taking a dump...lol
real talk I bet once condition become unlivable in that area, land is going to go for real cheap and then big mineral corporations are going to buy up alot of land and make money once again
In Africa a woman who recives aid for one child, if you come back ten years later, she comes with five or six more babies mouth to fill. population explosition begs genuine and lasting answer, which is controling the population.
3:48 he is in no hurry
Dude, they don't know that! You don't need to pump money or help them, all you need to do is go there, build a toilet, show them that's the place where you shit and then let them do the same thing. They don't know what a toilet is! Plus, they don't shit where they eat, they shit in the water and the water carries it away. What people need to do is show them how to build a damn toilet and the rest is up to them. It's their own country after all.
You are so ignorant
Does the salvation army,goodwill or world health organization help
God help our country Sierra Leone.
3:48...
Dude is DROPPING A DEUCE into that stream.
Nasty.
As long as we have this beautifull environment the bad boys will try to dirt that nature as they always do to whole Africa Sierra Leone must keep cleaning and save the water So the children can have a healthy life ti start
I'm not from sierra Leone am from gambia. But i feel sorry for this peoples.
Sad to see a government doesn’t use engineering help to clearn it technology,
2024 sama. It is actually worse today. Nothing has changed in better since this documentary was made. Corruption, poverty, and household waste everywhere.
Such a beautiful country devastated by own citizens. Sad.
I don’t understand. If diamonds are one of their natural resources, then why such poverty?
so why is like that? Lack of education otr simply laziness?
Bad governments for 58 years. Corruptions in politics. Lack of social issues/ integrity/ honesty within the society. Various factors.
Please let Thy Will be done for their Temples, Great Spirit.
This is sad,i would like to help,but why don't the people clean up there own neighbourhood ??
Not intelligent enough
Pollution is higher in developing countries
That's an understatement.
Deforestation is what ruined Haiti. Can't we learn from each other's mistakes?
what happened with all the diamond mining?
I'm sure the people in the slums have played a huge part in that garbage
Being poor does not mean you have to live in filth. Cleaning it up won’t last because the people will just throw their garbage and feces outside all over again. EDUCATION EDUCATION EDUCATION.