Page 48 - Phonebox Magazine October 2006

Newton Link
Building friendships across
the world
Newton Market Women’s Co-operative want Pen Friends in Olney
I had a fascinating afternoon with the ‘petty traders’ when I visited Newton in April. During our conversation I suggested that some of the ladies might like to have a Pen Friend in Olney. I made it very clear that no-one should ask for money, so I was amazed two days later to receive a bag of 65 letters from war widows struggling to bring up large families. The letters give a wonderful insight into the difficult lives of ordinary people in Newton village.
Here’s one: “I want to write this letter with regards for a friendship between me and
step has been to tell one of their MPs that they are being charged fees and he will try to sort things out. They also want help with their businesses and we are trying to help them get low interest loans. Some people
you and also for you to be a helping hand for my family progress. I had always wanted a friend in your country in which I will know about your country, yourself and family life and also you to know about my country, myself and family.”
They want help to educate their children. Everyone is having to pay to send children to school although primary education is supposed to be free in Sierra Leone. So my first
Souls of Olney
All makes servicing
are still living in houses burnt down in the war with blue plastic sheet for a roof. One of the ladies writes: “The rebel war led to the death of my husband and two children. I have a family of two children, a boy and a girl both going to school. My daughter is in Junior Secondary School, form 1 and my son is in class 6 at primary school. My husband left me a house comprising a room and a parlour, built of mud blocks and covered with plastic sheet, where we manage to pass the night.”
The link does not believe in sponsoring individuals, because sponsoring favours only those who can write letters. Instead, to make sure money is used in the most equitable way, contributions are sent to the Newton Committee and people there choose how it should be spent. Some will go towards the rebuilding of war-damaged houses and some will help to provide employment through the new Skills Training Centre.
The women belong to the Newton Women’s Petty Traders’ Co-operative and their leader must have organised the letter writing. They speak a form of pigeon English called ‘Krio’ and we think that many would have needed help from their children to write their letters. They all want a Pen Friend in Olney; so perhaps teenagers here would like to have a pen friend in Newton? I hope some of you reading this will like to reply!
Here is another letter: “I am a widow with seven children. Their names are Posseh, Yallaboy, Mamud, Annah, Bintu, Manso and Sayo Sesay. They all go to school, some in the
continued on page 54
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Souls of Olney 13-19 High Street South, Olney
Tel: 01234 712592
WE ARE HERE
A509
To Stoke Goldington
To M.K. & N'Pagnell Church
OLNEY
High Street
Market Sq.
Want to see more? visit our website: www.souls.co.uk 52 Phonebox Magazine