So often when we meet people it doesn't really dawn on us whether or not a relationship or friendship will be established. It is only after a certain period of time that friendships or relationships formulate or even break.
The nature of human interactions is actually very interesting and it takes an open mind for one to be able to experience what it has to offer hence why I have invited you to join me on this journey!
Meet Janet Kalma Thorley a 23 year old young bubbly girl from Sierra Leone who grew up in Ghana and is currently a student at Africa University; studying History and English.
Hey Hey Ms. Janet!
Thank you very much for joining us on our second edition of the Sunday Guest Blog! I would really like us to start off with talking about last week which so happened to be International Women's Day.Being a young woman from Sierra Leone what does being a woman mean to you?
Personally, I feel great being a young woman from Sierra Leone especially at this time where you see women in Sierra Leone doing so well for themselves. Women such as Zainab Bangura, Yasmin Jusu- Sheriff, and Yvonne Aki- Sawyer among others who are leaders and have done so well for the gender so it pushes other young women like myself to be the best we can be and it assures us that nothing is impossible and we just need hard work, have determination and most especially faith. Women in Sierra Leone have made so much progress and while there is so much to be done, I AM SO PROUD to be a young woman from Sierra Leone.
I must admit I really do not know much about Sierra Leone and hearing you talk about the progress there is in your country actually gives me a whole lot of curiosity to find out more! I will indeed look up on these female figures you have mentioned! That being said now do tell us which women inspire you? and why those particular women?
Well, I have quite a number of women that inspire me: from my grandmother to my mother but let me just talk not talk about them because I will not finish!😂
I am actually inspired by women who have bravely faced challenges and conquered in their world. Women who have become a popular symbol of democracy in womens rights, not only in their country but also in Africa and round about as well in the entire world. One of such of these women is the former president of Liberia: Madama Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. I feel that she has inspired me because she is one of the daring women who broke away from gender conventions in the aspect of politics and not only in her country but in the African Continent and again in the entire world as well. She is the first female president of Liberia and the first continents' female Head of State.
What I admire about her is the optimism and the level headness that she exhibited throughout the presidential elections and during her term in office, when she took the office again she became a figure of hope and inspiration for a broken country and the rest of the world.
Okay okay now you are indeed schooling me for all the previous information I really did not know! I must say it actually does feel inspirational to hear that one women decided to break barriers set upon the female livelihood and decided to venture into a career path that even I would not take! Now do you think that women possess certain qualities or traits to be considered a woman?
This question!!!!!!! Wow 😁😂
My answer is both Yes and No.
No because I feel that the fact that a person is born a female is enough. It’s hard to stereotype women or categorize them as having certain qualities because each culture and society is different. If that is to happen, then there will be so many things to take into consideration such as culture, background, beliefs, upbringings and so much more.
And Yes because as African women, we all grow up with norms and traditions which makes us more unique but because of western civilization; that has made most African women to lose their value as African women. I actually think there are certain qualities that women should possess in order to stand out in society.
I see you know your history! & you are indeed showing off! Go girl 😘 Its become a topic that trends whenever feminists and maninists meet that this century has been said to be a paradigm shift in many ways in terms of development in every way. Has the 21st century made being a woman tough or easy?
Well, I think to some extent it has made women to be tough. There has indeed been great improvements recorded in this century. For example, in Sierra Leone; our political system encourages for 30% women participation and contribution in the political arena. We have seen changes in different fields which were once male dominated. We have recorded a massive number of female heads in different governments companies and various institutions. Women are still discriminated and all; and some have had reasons to toughen up and these women are the trailblazers once they set the pace, other women that follow won’t find it as difficult.
Trailblazers! Indeed for they are going for it and using the stones thrown at them to build castles and furthermore empowering others which I believe every woman should do. Ms Janet what do you wish for women all across the world?
My wish for women across the world is for them to be educated. As the Ghanaian Scholar Dr. James Emmanuel Kwegyir-Aggrey once said “ If you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation ”. Once we know the value of education for men in society, women should also have equal access to it.My other wish for women across the world is for them to have equal rights and opportunities; and for them to be given the platform for their stories to be heard.
That was a very interesting talk, I quite enjoyed it because I've learned more than I thought I knew. Now do share with us more about Sierra Leone. For most people that aspire to travel there I am sure they have questions and I being one of them have only 3, the first being what is your native language called?
Well, there are about 16 ethnic groups in Sierra Leone; that’s one thing that is unique about the people of Sierra Leone.
However, every ethnic group has their own languages and cultures; although there are some similarities among them. Personally, I am from the Temne tribe of Sierra Leone, the language is called Temne. But I don’t speak it. English is the official language in Sierra Leone, the other language that is commonly spoken by Sierra Leoneans is called Krio…It is similar to what the Nigerians call Pidgin (Broken English)
That is actually very unique especially the Pidgin language, it fascinates quite many people especially those from Europe as I've seen them making memes out of the African Movies. There is actually one that came into mind: " Why are you running ". Moving on you know I'm a food lover right! tell us about the food and where to go to if ever of course the Lord blesses us with money to travel!
For almost all Sierra Leoneans, rice is the staple food, consumed at virtually every meal. LOL we often say, without any exaggeration “if I haven’t eaten rice today, then I haven’t eaten at all! “However, rice is prepared numerous ways and topped with a variety of sauces so I’d recommend that if you ever visit Sierra Leone, try rice with Cassava Leaves, Potato leaves, Peanuts, beans, Okra, Hot pepper, Pumpkin Stew (these are all sauces). Also try Oleleh, Yebe, Fufu, Jollof Rice….I am a foodie so when it comes to food I can go on and on...:-D There are so many restaurants around and across Sierra Leone where you can actually go and enjoy great and delicious meals for affordable prices. Some restaurants that I’d recommend are; Tessa Restaurant, Bliss, Mamba Point Lagoonda, Gigibonta, Gina’s, Lighthouse Restaurant, +232 among others.
Affirmations! I am going to travel one day and eat all the food I want! What about places? like any place you'd recommend for us travelers to go to?
One fact about Sierra Leone is that Sierra Leone’s beaches have been praised by many and can be seen as its main tourist attraction. So I’d definitely recommend that anyone visiting Sierra Leone should check out the beaches; some of which are; Lumley beach, Token beach, Sussex beach, Bureh beach and River Number 2. And I’d also recommend that you visit The Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, The Bunce Island, and Banana Island. You were asking about my beads, I got them in Big Market, it is the biggest artisans market in Sierra Leone. You can get hand made products, woven baskets, African print fabric, and beads among others.
Words are not enough to express my gratitude for you giving us your time and information concerning where you come from and your points of views. Thank you Janet now as we close off the segment I will share some of the pictures we took of you and your social media handles.
Do follow Janet on her social media platforms;
Facebook: Kalma Janet Thorley
Instagram: _jankalthy_
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