Letter, William Rayman to Richard Reuter, Executive Director of the Cooperative for American Remittances Everywhere (CARE)

[Letterhead] CARE

COOPERATIVE FOR AMERICAN RELIEF EVERYWHERE, INC.

A Non-Profit Corporation

[…]

[illegible handwritten notes in the upper left corner]

ATF-New York 14

September 23, 1961

Freetown, Sierra Leone

To: Richard W. Reuter (also F. Goffio, F. Devine)

From: Africa Task Force

Subject: Sierra Leone

Dear Dick:

As you well know we did get into this business of New York decisions, based on cables, here in Sierra Leon, it was unavoidable I'm afraid. When things began to assemble, everything came so fast that any day-to-day informing, to you, would have only been confusing. Also, there are only twice weekly mail connections for New York.

Our initial soundings here did not come up with any great interest in our programs on the part of the U.S. Ambassador or U.S.O.M. Director. They were very much of a mind to wait and see about CARE. The Ambassador is A.S.J. Carnahan [illegible handwritten note], a political appointee. He was a Congressman from Missouri untill [sic] the last election. He served on the Africa committee for some time, thus his interest. USOM Director here is Dr. Ernest Neal. He was upgraded to this post from Liberia. Previously, he encountered and experienced our type of operation in both the Philippines and India. The Ambassador has been here since Independence in April and Dr. Neal since January when the first USOM contract for Sierra Leone was signed.

Also, I should add, we found no great government interest initially except surprise that another U.S. Agency knows that Sierra Leone exists. Since Independence a constant parade of committees, volagencies, groups, survey teams, etc, have been bombarding these people. Almost invariably they are accorded cooperation, interest, etc. by the Govt. only to have them leave and never be heard from atain [sic]. Thus, we were at first, thought to be of the same type. Later, all concerned did an about face when we began proposing and negotiating.

At this point I'd like to insert that S.R.S. is the only other Volagency now operating in Sierra Leone. They attend Catholic Mission schools with Title III commodities. These are distributed in the usual manner: dry to take home but not consumed at school. About 30% of the Sierra Leone school population are in Catholic Mission schools.

Concluding the initial phase of probing we all took to the field for five working days. We went, each alone, and were able to cover the country fairly well (Sierra Leone's total area is only 28,000 square miles, though it has a population of 265 million). Once again, Dick, it was the field work that gave us the insight and conviction to move ahead strongly and do some of that "imaginative programming" we all read about. Just as in Liberia, the trips to the interior showed us the way.

Very briefly we found:

1) Strong administrative responsibility on the local level thru the British style District Commissioner and District Council working and coordinating with the Tribal Chieftaincies. In other words, a good base of civil service: responsibility, locally, thru which we could work. Certainly much better then Liberia.

2) A good system of roads and accessability [sic] to more then 90% of the schools with 4 wheel drive equipment even during the rainy seasons.

3)A need for supplemental school feeding. As in Liberia, most of the rural youth trudge from 2 to 4 miles to school each day. They eat one meal/day and that in the evening. It usually consists of starchy cassava or rice, and little else.

4) Many, many, small Self Help Type Project possibilities. Thruout [sic] the country, Dick, there are projects in  feeder roads, or midwifery kits, or vocational kits or whatever, that can be  developed at the Mission Chief's discretion [sic]. Actually, this small country reminds me, of Costa Rica: not nearly as advanced, but with similar possibilities

5)The problem, again, of preschool nutrition. As several persons have expressed it: if a child reaches age fife he will live a full fife as he has already survived most of the diseases [sic]; kwashiorkor (protein deficiency), TB, intestinal parisites [sic], etc. Estimates in some areas go as high as 70% on mortality of the preschool age group.

6)An expression of interest in our type of program on the rural level. In many places the District Council wanted to pick up the cost of a cook at each school, or local transport, or construction of a kitchen in the schools. Any way, we found enthusiasm and vigor and a willingness to cooperate which sold us to push a program.

You have by now the complete program we presented. It represents much work and sweat and wrangling between myself, Wells and Jacques. The Peace Corps section you already have in much detail by its Father, Wells, and we hope you go ahead with you proposal to Washington on the strength of his ATFNY #13. The Stateside training part we hope can be worked out later.

As we hammered the thing together I informed the Ambassador and Neal. Our 4 point program touches upon many areas that both are interested in but are not active now. Their interest picked up considerably. As you know this country is surrounded 80% by Guinea. While there is no heavy attempt by the Guineans to undercut the local Govt. the threat is always there. The Ambassador is most interested in getting something, in the form of aid, to the rural areas to show them that someone is interested in their well being. He also needs an impact program now. Neal to some extent is in the same position. His programs are lon [sic] range and slow in getting off the ground. He still doesn't know if his programs and budgets for this year have been accepted in Washington.

With this in mind we didn't stint on the budget and went ahead and presented it to the Ministries concerned. All expressed verball [sic] interest if the finances could be settled. At this point we went to finance to see what could actually be counted upon. The attached sheet shows the end product of that hassle.

When Neal saw the complete program he got real enthusiastic, as did the Ambassador, and began talking sub contracts. I could not get him to act though until he got the CARE commitment. On the basis of the above I went back to Neal and made our commitment on the basis of Fred's cable. He immediately agreed to pick up the rest and the Ambassador gave his full blessing. I saw the airgram this morning which stresses the need for impact program now on political grounds.

It backs the cash support of our food program and the Peace Corps Project. We have asked that the entire negotiations between CARE and Washington be wrapped up by the middle of October, so this will be in the Embassy's part of the airgram also. If Sierr [sic] Leone is accepted by the United Nations Ambassador Carnahan will accompany the Prime Milton Margai to New York and later on a tour of the country. He has promised to Bring the PM to the CARE office and to personally sell our program in Washington. I don’t think we can ask for much more than that.

[handwritten note in the lefthand margin next to the above paragraph]

Almost as an after thought the CD man at USOM has asked Wells if they can purchase our standard kits for one of their projects. Wells went over it with them this morning and they are thinking of an initial purchase of around $20,000.00.

The Minister of Education, who is now acting Prime Minister has promised cabinet action on the whole thing before the end of this month. I left the Basic Agreements with him for signing. The tie in, or contract with the Sierra Leone government on their financial participation is up to you, we have not made up anything for them.

We must come up with the Mission Chief and have him in here towards the end of November if we are to be in operation by January. I have heavily committed CARE on this part of it as all concerned above feel the need for our program before elections next year which take place in the Summer of Fall.

Finally, I think, the team's great impact here is due in large part to the thoroghness [sic] of the survey and the authority we have to speak for CARE.

That's about it for now. We are tired…happy. Please keep us informed on happenings at your end.

Very best regards to all.

Sincerely,

[signature]

William Rayman