Clean Sweep of the Calabatown Market in Freetown

Clean Sweep of the Calabatown Market in Freetown

After the clean sweep of the Calabatown Market in Freetown, Sierra Leone I sat down at home on the veranda / porch and reflected on my 18 years of volunteer community organizing and service. I remembered how when my mother became the block captain for our area and would organize neighbors to clean sweep on Saturday’s which was instrumental in the process of redemption as she was at the time a recovering crack addict newly reunited with her minor children after years of separation via. Children and Youth Services intervention and Foster Care. I helped on numerous occasions although at the time I could not comprehend the significance of the activity or how empowering it could be.

I was a juvenile delinquent with years in and out of the system by age 18 but even at her worse my mom always had my back and would always visit me when I was away to keep my spirits up and advise me to stay calm and strong. She was always telling me about her community and church activities. It was very uplifting because she was actually transforming her values and lifestyle while advocating others to do the same.
In 1999 my sister, brother, step father and myself all became members of a local community organization that provided us with standard training in the art and science of grassroots organizing, my life has never been the same since.
Fast forwarded to last Sunday’s Boku Life Day Clean here in Freetown and it has dawned on me just how far I have journeyed over the years with the value of my organizational experience applied to similar socioeconomic conditions in both the United States of America (1999-2013) and Sierra Leone (2013-present) effectively.
The late great revolutionary and co founder of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense, Huey P. Newton once said that the masses of poor/oppressed, unconscious, and illiterate people learn primarily through observation and participation in the process of Black unity, liberation, and empowerment (paraphrase)! I interpreted this as a mandate for revolutionary grassroots activists to educate and organize hands on with the masses. That it is the community organizers themselves who lead on the front lines of every liberation struggle.
Shout out to every one of my family and friends that have not lost faith in me throughout my life’s trials and tribulations. I love you all and just know that your bro is doing what I said I would and that I am thankful for all the support
MAMA AFRIKA’S BOY PIKIN!!
Foday Ajamu Mansaray

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