Publication Date: 26-JUL-02AAGM: "Granpa" International Thrills War Victims.

Byline: - Alhassan Spear Kamara
It was an atmosphere of joy and jubilation at the Safroko Limba chiefdom in the Bombali district, northern province when a renowned theatre group known as "Granpa" theatre international accomplished a two weeks thrilling show for tens of hundred of war striken civilians in that former RUF/AFRC stronghold.

Written, Organized and directed by theatre activists. Inaju Reuben the theatre was aimed at creating awareness among the grassroots, to raise funds and finance some community projects in the provinces and to heal the wounds of the decade old.
Speaking to G.O.E, shortly after the sensitization show, Inaju said they thought it necessary to go to the provinces and sensitize the people because in his words "the war had traumatized the people." "I stayed with the people of Safroko Limba for two weeks, and while there I was able to study their culture, he said and added, I was very astonished to see the people creating songs of peace in their local languages".
One such song was N'foya which means in Limba "even though the war had left our hands, limbs chopped off we will still appreciate the perpetrators" Inaju quoted the people of Safroko as saying.
Inaju said the people of Safroko accepted the theatre with open hands as a means of peace.

"Every night when the locals returned from their various farms, we sat together in a round circle thrill them with some cultural peace play" he said adding that the locals of Safroko Limba were often with the opinion that a theatre was just about coming together, sit and enjoy themselves with palm wine.
"I never knew that the African hospitality was good until when I went to Safroko Limba chiefdom." Inaju further said a theatre is a means of mass communication among people. Most Sierra Leonean can neither read nr write and those who cannot afford to buy newspapers and radios are left with news blackout, even those who can afford radios, transmission coverage is still limited to certain part of the country.
At the end of the day it is clear that face-to-face information on theatre provided by the comedians is the most effective in such an environment. The theatre ongoing community sensitization campaign is being sponsored by DIFID and NCDDR for social reintegration through cultural medium. The sentisization show which took place in Binkolo 7 miles off Makeni also attracted chiefdom elders from Katirie, Mafaray, Masebeh and mile 14.

Acting paramount chief of Safroko Limba chiefdom Pa Fanka who also took part in the show described the activities "as timely and very educative." He lauded "Granpa" theatre for such an initiative in sensitizing the war victims.
"This will help the war victims to forget about the atrocities meted on them during the crisis ". After the thrilling show, a local artist David Tarawallie was able to produce a 30 minutes play known as "Le e nor bi again". Inaju also revealed to G.O.E that very soon the "Granpa" theatre international would be storming Sanda Loko chiefdom in the Bombali district to thrill the war striken civilians.
Among the sensitization shows that has being organized by Inaju and Co were" presidential birthday, Kailondo theatre, cry of the country virgin, how u pred u bed, crisis and cassava leaf which took place some month ago at the Lagonda entertainment cinema hall.
Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media. (allafrica.com)