Culture Experienced

In this final episode the family returns home. Harry, Joan and Ross reflect on their time in Sierra Leone and how this experienced has influenced their lives.  If you have enjoyed this season, be sure to check out the blog at www.cultureexperienced.com.

In this bonus episode Kyle, the middle son, reflects on his year with the family living in Kamakwie.

In this bonus episode Mark, the eldest son, reflects on his year with the family living in Kamakwie.

In this last diary entry Harry writes about leaving Kamakwie. Joan and the kids are in Freetown at a beach house preparing return. The adventure is almost at an end.

In this episode the family completes their goodbyes and Joan and the boys depart for Freetown leaving Harry to distribute any remaining possessions. Ross manages to pickup one more major illness prior to leaving. A couple friends are baptized at the local Catholic church and the family makes the rounds to make a final visit to friends before departing.

In this episode Harry reads from his diary as we are in the last few weeks of the trip. Harry takes care of a menagerie of biology specimens for a Peace Corps teacher who left for Freetown.  Even though Ross is sick we still manage to have a few celebrations with various westerners. Finally we learn of a Wesleyan Pastor who passed away at the hospital.

As we near the end of our "family fun trip" we have dinner with the nationals who have helped us during our stay. In this last letter we discuss our memories of Ya Marie, Ya Fudya and Pa Surrey. Joan will be traveling to Freetown with the boys as Harry completes school assignments prior to departing. Stay tuned for journal entries over the next month which will complete season 1 of Culture Experienced.

Mark and Kyle get a special treat staying with a Peace Corps friend in Fintonia. It's a bit humid for laundry and we have dinner with a Liberian family.

In this episode we hear a letter from both Harry and Joan. A "rain day" cancels school and we have secured travel from Kamakwie to Freetown when we leave. We have a discussion about the cheating that occurred on the national exams and what impact it may have on the students future.

The national tests are now occurring and cheating is common for the school. Harry vents his frustrations and is sent home. Mary Jean will be leaving shortly so we see her one last time.

In this episode Joan is writing from Freetown. She just experienced Mothers Day in Kamakwie and now attends a football (soccer) game with a fellow American. We begin to pack for the trip home.

In this episode the boxes of books that were mailed the prior August have finally arrived, just in time for us to head home. The Provincial Secretary visits Kamakwie and Joan is back from Freetown.

In this episode Harry writes two letters home on the same day. The family attends a memorial celebration and the other missionary kids are coming home. We learn more about the vehicle accident from the prior letter and we continue to coordinate efforts to return back to the USA.

In this episode we recap Ross' birthday party and learn of another major motor vehicle accident that occurred on the dangerous roads.

In this episode Ross celebrates his first communion and birthday. Harry discusses a problem with the water pump and the family hires a dishwasher to help with school fees.

Joan and Harry both write home in this episode. We learn about a physician who steps on a scorpion and Ross has a big day coming up. Flowers are in bloom and butterflies are abundant.

It's the day after Mark's birthday and we celebrate "Kamakwie" style. The Barkers will be leaving due to some health concerns and will be missed. Harry becomes frustrated with some of the missionaries and has to adjust plans for returning in July.

Harry leaves the family at the beach house and heads beck to Kamakwie for school. We learn about his long journey back up country and his activities without the family.

It is Easter Sunday and the family is still at the beach house near Freetown. We get a short Sierra Leone (and West African) history lesson from Harry. 

The family is vacationing at a beach house on the coast near Freetown and are joined by Ila Shea. Harry plans gift shopping in town and pickup up our return tickets back home.