So many memories flood in while
trying to pick out a few to include from ten wonderful years
teaching at Harford School for Girls in Sierra Leone between 1954
- 1964. Among the earliest memories is the lush beauty of the
country, and the friendliness and warmth of a peaceful people.
The acting principal at the time, Miriam Faust, said, as part of
her early orientation, "If you’re ever out walking in
the evening, and you hear footsteps behind you, don’t be
concerned. It’s probably someone following to be sure
you’re okay." That was Sierra Leone in 1954, and during
most of those ten years.Another highlight was the excitement leading up to Independence in 1961. More than all the political speeches or lavish celebrations, I remember the time just before midnight on April 26, 1961. Harford School students and teachers joined the townspeople and government officials of Moyamba in walking up to the playing field in town, where the British Union Jack waved over the crowd in the lights erected for the occasion. After speeches and well-wishes, at the stroke of midnight, the British flag was lowered, and the new green, white and blue Sierra Leone flag was raised to the cheers of the crowd and the strains of the new Sierra Leone National Anthem. Memorable as all of those events were, the one that stands out most is of an older man standing in the shadows near the fence, holding his walking stick. As everyone else cheered and sang, he pounded his stick on the ground, and, over and over, quietly said to himself in tones of wonder, "Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!"
One of my greatest joys at Harford School was directing the school choir. For a number of years, led by then Principal June Hartranft, the choir had won the national singing competition in Freetown among several of the Girls’ Secondary School Choirs from across the country. When June went on leave, I was asked to fill in – while several commiserated with the girls over their new, "green" director. We practiced – and practiced – and practiced the music assigned to all the schools for the competition! The British District Commissioner agreed to accompany us, and spent much of his "free" time practicing with us. Shortly before the competition he was moved to Freetown as Aide-de-Camp to the Governor, but agreed to meet us at the site of the competition in time for our appearance. Unfortunately, we failed to tell him all the choirs were singing the same number! He came to the concert hall, heard the number being sung, thought he was late, and, as he said, "slunk out like a puppy with its tail between its legs!" When it came time for our appearance, no Aide-de-Camp Orr, in spite of numerous calls from those officiating. The girls were almost in tears. With great generosity, one of the other choir’s accompanist agreed to play for us. After all that, no one was more surprised than we when the Harford School Choir came in with first place. Celebration continued not only that evening, but after we returned to Moyamba. Just to prove it wasn’t a mistake, they did it for several more years!
In 1963, when a special music group was visiting Sierra Leone and giving a few concerts in Freetown, the Choir was invited to visit, so choir members and a few staff drove down for the event. It was exciting to be a part of the audience that night as we waited for the music to begin. There seemed to be some delay in the concert. It wasn’t until the United States representative to Sierra Leone came to talk to us that we knew why. With his hands on our shoulders he leaned over to say, with disbelief still in his voice, "President Kennedy has been shot!" Shortly after, they made a public announcement, that in deference, the concert was being cancelled. President Kennedy had been extremely popular in Sierra Leone because of aid his administration had offered the country. A somber Harford School group drove back to the school the next day.
"I Remember" – a lot more, but it will wait for another time!
--Elaine Gasser