Hello all; Mo here again. How is everyone doing? I hope you are all doing great. As for me, work ane everything else is going great (although hectic and emotional sometimes). I have been going to court everyday the last couple of weeks which has been very educational. Due to the sensitive nature of the testimony and the security of the witness, court has been in closed session; therefore, I cannot discuss anything I saw or heard.
My new assignment is very educational and practical; I get to go to court, listen to testimony, and then draft direct or cross-examination questions for the lead counsel of my defense team (Morris Kallon's Team of the Revolutionary United Front or RUF). I go to court from 9:30am-5:30pm (with breaks), take notes of all the witnesses testimonies, then discuss my observations with the lead counsel. At times we disagree on what questions he should ask, but for the most part, we agree on what he should ask during his cross examination of the prosecution witnesses (prosecution is still presenting its case in the RUF Trials). It is both exciting and flattering to know that some of the question the lead counsel asks during his cross examination of a prosecution witness was drawn up by me.
Also, my knowledge of the Laws of Evidence (Common Law), Public International Law, Human Rights Law and Criminal Law are being tested everyday in court. Everyday, questions and issues relating to these areas of the law are discussed in court. I usually have my outlines in these law classes open on my computer when I take notes (just for reference). The judges and lawyers are quite knowledgeable in these subject which is quite educational. The testimonies can be disturbing, interesting, inciteful and emotional. It is now clear to me that I didn't know as much of the civil war in Sierra Leone as I thought.
The constant battle I face at work is that on one hand, I am spending most of my days working hard in defending the accused persons in this case, while on the other hand, they are accused of doing things that directly affect me so deeply. I came home and learned that some of my childhood friends and extended family members were killed in the civil war. I also learned that my grandma's home in Segbwema (where in grew up as a child) was burnt down by RUF rebels during the civil war. The house had been in my family for generations and my grandma wanted to keep it for future generations, and it's saddens her that she will not be able to do so. I have to explain to her what I do at work which is hard for her to understand given the circumstances. Many have ask the same question--how could you work to defend the very guys who MAY BE responsible for committing atrocities that directly affected you and so many others? I say to them I will feel no better if these men were never tried than I would if their trials were unfair. What I'm doing is ensuring (in my own little way) that justice is done, and it's fair. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. so wisely states "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere".
Whether these men are guilty of the charges against them is a question of law and facts to be determined by the court, but there's no doubt or question that they should receive a fair trial. The rule of law must prevail and it will not if these men do not receive fair trials. Working hard to defend these men is my way of ensuring that the law, of which I am a student, is
Today, Saturday, I had the privilege to spend time with some children (in an orphanage) who lost their parents in the civil war. It was quite an emotional, inspiring, educational and motivating experience. I spoke to each child (some of whom are adults now) about their personal experience of the war and asked them, if they felt comfortable, to tell me how they lost their parents in the civil war. Some didn't want to talk about it which is quite understandable and of the few who spoke about the experience, it was quite emotional for them and myself. It is unimaginable to me to have lost my parents at any age much less at the young age most of these kids lost their parents. Some even witnessed their parents being killed which is dehumanizing to me.
These children need our love and support. There's so many things any and all of us can do to help these children. You can be a pen pal, give clothes, shoes, bags, belts, give money to help send them to school and take care of some of the orphanage's other costs, pray for them and anything else you can do to help them; but among all their needs, the most important and visible to me is that of LOVE. These kids want to feel loved. They want to know the world cares about them and love them and that it's not their fault their parents were killed (some of them feel that way because their parents lost their lives trying to protect them).
The orphanage is called the International Dove and you can learn more of them at www.internationaldove.com and their motto is "today's orphans, tomorrow's leaders". The orphanage's administrators are Mr. Phil Nelson, a Canadian Missionary who sold his farm and home in Canada and moved his family to Sierra Leone to open the orphanage for war orphans and Mr. Daniel a Sierra Leonean (an orphan himself who lost his parents at an early age). These men are two of the most courageous people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting in my life. They love and care for these children so much that they gave up their careers to be with and love the children. On behalf of all Sierra Leoneans and citizens of the world, I thank them very much for their good work and love for the children and may God bless them.
The orphanage provides all of the children's needs including school, food, lodging, clothing, counseling, job training and LOVE. I believe it is good to be rich, better to be powerful, but it's best to be loved. Without love, we are all lost.
All of the children have bright futures; some want to be lawyers, doctors, engineers, soldiers, counselors, teachers, missionaries etc. They are very hopeful of their futures and contributing to society. Some will like to study outside Sierra Leone if possible (if they can be sponsored financially). It was quite an experience talking with and spending time with these kids. At times, I was the one who needed consoling because I was very emotionaal and troubled at some of their stories. At the end of my visit, I thanked them very much for allowing me into their lives and sharing their person and painful stories with me. I now have 20 more brothers and sisters in these children which I'm very excited about.
As I stated when I met the war amputees, what happened to these children is a HUMAN TRAGEDY and it should not happen to any child, anywhere. None of us can change what happened to them, but we can all help make their lives better and contribute towards a brighter future for them. Upon my return to the US, I will be asking you all for your support in this very noble venture. I have no doubt that with your help, we can all show these kids that people care which they need in their lives. I ask you to find it in your heart to give your support, say a prayer and show these children LOVE.
I look forward to your ideas, comments, suggestions and support in this venture. Once again, as always, thank you very much and I hope to see you all soon.
Attached are some pictures of the children during my visit today.
Mo
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