Sierra Leone has one of the lowest life expectancy rates, one of the lowest literacy rates, and one of the lowest levels of female education in the entire world.  In 2010 and again in 2011, I was fortunate to be selected as one of six Canadians to go to Sierra Leone for the summer to train teachers.  My teaching partner Mike Beetham and I had the specific job of training teachers to create a peaceful learning environment in their classroom.  This included banning the use of the cane or other weapons for classroom punishment, understanding the importance of encouraging girls to go to school and be treated farily, as well as teaching them peaceful classroom management techniques. We spent 5 weeks with them in this intensive program in the hopes they would then be able to in turn train the other teachers in the country after our program had finished.

In addition to this program being one of the best experiences of my life, it also was the place I was able to meet someone I now consider to be one of my greatest mentors, Dr. Thomas Mark Turay (affectionately known as TMT to the locals).  We worked closely together on the Peace Program and when he spoke to the class, nothing else in the world seemed more  important to all the listeners.  We were honored to hear how he found the courage to forgive and make peace with the people who destroyed his home and threatened his life during the country’s brutal 11 year civil war.

Dr. Turay had the opportunity to study in Canada.  He later went on to obtain his PhD and is now a professor at university’s such as Coady International Institute in Nova Scotia and University of Calgary in Alberta.  Along with the support of his wife and two children he has made a decision to dedicate his life to bringing Sierra Leone up from the statistics you read above.  They have started an organization called Center for Development and Peace. This Sierra Leone based organization brings help to the smallest, poorest most forgotten villages in the country (more amazing stories about these villages to come).  CD Peace helps to educate teachers, encourage girls to get an education, and prevent violence in the communities.  In addition, they help the poorest of the poor have access to basic necessities.

TMT has stood up for justice, peace and education for the entire nation.  He has asked his family and his community to stand with him, and the difference it has made has saved and changed lives.  It all started with asking someone to stand with him.  Please take a moment to listen to one of the wisest, kindest and most genuine men that I have the opportunity of calling ‘friend’.