Fantasy & Feminism with Namina Forna

Drug addiction and mental health in Sierra Leone in focus on episode one to an all-new season of the Make Sierra Leone Famous Podcast! Vickie Remoe interviews with Mahawa Sandy, founder of Nyali Foundation and Dr. Elizabeth Alieu resident psychiatrist in charge of the child and adolescent mental health at the Sierra Leone Psychiatric Teaching Hospital. Sierra Leone’s youth are struggling with drug addiction and dependency. Vickie and guests discuss the root causes and and solutions for tackling the drug crisis.

Host Vickie Remoe is in conversation with two of Sierra Leone’s most celebrated storytellers; award-winning playwright and founder of Freetong Players Charlie Haffner, and Emmy, BAFTA, and Peabody-winning journalist Sorious Samura. Show Notes Listen to Doniie Major’s Freetown City: https://bit.ly/3PaVtHB Ship to Sierra Leone from the USA with Dot Bleu Find your next outfit at The Doll House Boutique To make Sierra Leone better for women and girls in Salone better support the Asmaa James Foundation https://bit.ly/3ybDLz5

Host Vickie Remoe is in conversation with actress, producer, and founder of Lema’s Diary Production Company. The film producer uses her craft to make social commentary about issues affecting Sierra Leone’s women. Her latest film “Profit Point” set in the slums of Freetown is about the struggles of women trapped by poverty and sexual exploitation. Profit Point had its London Premiere at the Young Sierra Leonean Kip Kompin Cinema. Show Notes Listen to Kaley Bag’s Di Sai Wae Ar Komot: https://spoti.fi/3oL72KW Ship to Sierra Leone from the USA with Dot Bleu Find your next outfit at The Doll House Boutique To make Sierra Leone better for women and girls in Salone better support the Asmaa James Foundation https://bit.ly/3ybDLz5

Host Vickie Remoe is in conversation with Sierra Leonean poet, playwright, and author Oumar Farouk Sesay, Oumar talks and shares insights from his four-decade-long career as a writer and creative. His latest play “The Throne” challenges audiences to question their beliefs on identity, homosexuality, and tradition. Show Notes Listen to Daddy Saj’s Che Che: https://bit.ly/3Bc2xQY Follow the Mane Chronicles: https://bit.ly/3Rq6AyV Ship to Sierra Leone from the USA with Dot Bleu Find your next outfit at The Doll House Boutique To make Sierra Leone better for women and girls in Salone better support the Asmaa James Foundation https://bit.ly/3ybDLz5

Host Vickie Remoe is in conversation with Tarah Majeek, Entrepreneur and founder of self-care and wellness brand “Mane Chronicles''. They discuss branding, startups, and tips to transform a hobby into an enterprise. Show Notes Listen to TMA’s No Sense: https://spoti.fi/3c94S4t Follow the Mane Chronicles: https://bit.ly/3Rq6AyV Ship to Sierra Leone from the USA with Dot Bleu Find your next outfit at The Doll House Boutique To make Sierra Leone better

Host Vickie Remoe is in conversation with Alhaji Siraj Bah, a multiple award-winning green entrepreneur who makes cooking briquettes out of coconuts. Siraj shares his journey from homelessness in Freetown to becoming one of Sierra Leone’s most successful young founders and job creators. Show Notes Listen to Drizilik’s Di Mammi Ihn Moni Fo Comot: https://bit.ly/3NLiPCU j Ship to Sierra Leone from the USA with Dot Bleu Find your next outfit at The Doll House Boutique To make Sierra Leone better for women and girls in Salone better support the Asmaa James Foundation https://bit.ly/3ybDLz5

Host Vickie Remoe is in conversation with Namina Forna author of the New York Times bestsellers “The Gilded Ones” and the “Merciless Ones”. They discuss representation in fantasy books, girls' rites of passage, books as escapism, and growing up in Sierra Leone. Show Notes Listen to Zainab Sheriff’s Mammie Na Power: https://bit.ly/2Z6Vyrj To buy Namina Forna’s Book: https://naminaforna.com/ Ship to Sierra Leone from the USA with Dot Bleu Find your next outfit at The Doll House Boutique To make Sierra Leone better for women and girls in Salone better support the Asmaa James Foundation https://bit.ly/3ybDLz5

Host Vickie Remoe is in conversation with Screenwriter and Director Mohamed ’Spartar’ Lansana. Mohamed talks about the growth of Sierra Leonean films, the importance of passing legislation to protect and support the industry, and emerging producers and filmmakers from Sierra Leone everyone should know. Show Notes Listen to Famous’s Brighter Future: https://bit.ly/39upgMH Ship to Sierra Leone from the USA with Dot Bleu Find your next outfit at The Doll House Boutique To make Sierra Leone better for women and girls in Salone better support the Asmaa James Foundation https://bit.ly/3ybDLz5

Host Vickie Remoe is in conversation with Renata Kamara, chef, musician, and author. Renata talks about taking Sierra Leonean food to the world stage, and the power of social media content in getting customers and she shares Sierra Leone-inspired vegan and Afro-fusion recipes. Show Notes Listen to Mattodo’s Fearless: https://spoti.fi/3mpu8p3 Ship to Sierra Leone from the USA with Dot Bleu Find your next outfit at The Doll House Boutique To make Sierra Leone better for women and girls in Salone better support the Asmaa James Foundation https://bit.ly/3ybDLz5

Host Vickie Remoe is in conversation with Hawa Jane, Lawyer, Artist, and founder of The Barray Arts Collective. Hawa talks about founding a community for artists in Freetown, opportunities for African art with NFTs, and emerging artists from Sierra Leone that everyone should know. Show Notes Listen to Bai Kamara Jr Lady Boss: https://spoti.fi/3NMrd5s Ship to Sierra Leone from the USA with Dot Bleu Find your next outfit at The Doll House Boutique To make Sierra Leone better for women and girls in Salone better support the Asmaa James Foundation https://bit.ly/3ybDLz5