| The Goalkeepers of Sierra Leone |
The United Nations has labeled Sierra Leone the worst place on earth to live. The final peace accord in an 11-year civil war was signed two years ago. There is a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, often traveling the country in rowboats and on foot, and an internationally funded Special Court has been built in Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown. One of the hallmarks of the civil war there was the practice of amputating the limbs of your enemy. There is, in fact, now an entire soccer team in Freetown made up of amputees. Those who had a leg cut off play on the field; men who kept their legs but lost their arms play goal. The team has more in common than missing limbs; they are all intensely interested in the ongoing trials at the Special Court. They want to know what happens to the people ultimately responsible for their missing limbs. In Karin Wells' documentary “The Goalkeepers of Sierra Leone", part of the CBC's "Africa After the Wars" series, she travels to a town where thousands of people have been the victims of amputations. This program airs as part of the international documentary exchange series, Crossing Boundaries. It won a Gold Medal at the 2005 New York Festivals.
Links:
Sierra Leone: Call for Justice
A photo-essay sponsored by the Human Rights Watch. Contains graphic images.
BBC News Country Profile: Sierra Leone
This BBC website provides an overview of Sierra Leone's past and current situation.
CBC: Africa After the Wars
This is the website of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's special series Africa After the Wars.
Books:
 Blood Diamonds: Tracing the Deadly Path of the World's Most Precious Stones
by: Greg Campbell 2004
In Sierra Leone, diamonds have been the major source of funding for the rebel army. This book takes a deep look at the practice of diamond smuggling in this devastated country.
 How de Body?: One Man's Terrifying Journey Through an African War
by: Teun Voeten, Roz Vatter-Buck 2002
This book details the harrowing journey that acclaimed Photo Journalist Teun Voeten made through Sierra Leone.
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