AS I EMBARK ON A JOURNEY to be a voice for the people of Sierra Leone, I invite you to come alongside and witness with me the stories of hope that shine light in even the darkest places of the world.

In a country whose history is written as the story of evil—devastating civil war, the most heinous humanitarian abuse and oppression, children sold as commodities for war, labor and sex, hunger, poverty, disease—there is also the story of beauty.

Beauty in the resilience of humanity.

These are all stories that are easily hidden behind the veil of oppression, ignorance or just simply distance. Yet they are stories that must be heard. Stories of voices waiting to be heard. Voices calling out.

As these words are written, evil continues to stain the pages in the history book of Sierra Leone. But it is not the only story to be told. Stories of hope and redemption, of beauty and resilience, need to be heard amidst the cries of suffering and oppression. A simple dissonance of urgency and hope. The voices tell their stories themselves. I just write them down for the world to hear.

Be part of this story, be part of this journey. I invite you to listen with me to the stories—to the voices—calling out.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO REACH ME IN SIERRA LEONE, EMAIL ME AT CRISSA.NELSON@GMAIL.COM