Sierra Leone is—perhaps—the most resilient country in the world. Vicious abuses from colonialism and slavery, to modern exploitation of resources fill the history of the West African nation. In modern memory, Sierra Leone has experienced two horrible tragedies—The country’s bloody civil war (1991-2002) and the Ebola Epidemic (2014-2015). This history, dovetailing with poverty, corruption, and uneven development has posed serious problems for the country that is also blessed with the world’s most precious minerals – diamonds, gold, platinum, titanium, iron ore etc.
Sierra Leoneans continue to work hard to carve a better future for themselves and their beloved country. One local non-profit organization doing hands on and historic work in the country is Target Theatre.
Target Theatre, in partnership with the Auradicals Foundation, is producing the first major, staged, theatrical production since the country’s eleven-year civil war that started in 1991, disrupted arts and entertainment across the nation. What is more, the historic production is donating half of its proceeds to helping rape victims in the country. Thousands of rape cases were recorded last year—a rise of nearly 4,000 on the figure from the previous year—in a country of only 7.5 million. This crisis led to the President declaring a state of emergency and the government introducing stringent measures to curb the menace.
Not only is Target Theatre’s production raising money, it is also challenging audiences to consider and discuss this and other social ills affecting the country’s population. Theatre has the power to impact people and improve communities and social engagement. Target Theatre plans to continue its mission around the country—doing performances and educational programming in other cities and villages.
Patrick Adu, the founder of Target Theater, studied theater arts at Lawrence University in Appleton Wisconsin. Patrick had met professors and students from Lawrence when he worked for a research group in Sierra Leone. After his studies in the United States, he returned to Sierra Leone and founded Target Theater.
Before the Civil War, Sierra Leone had a rich performing arts tradition. The performance this December is a historic reawakening of that history. The tradition will not be lost to history, instead, the social, cultural and educational benefits will be another force in the country pushing for a better future.