What animals live in Sierra Leone?

Sierra Leone has some remarkable wildlife! In the rainforests, you can find chimpanzees swinging through the trees — Sierra Leone is actually one of the best places in West Africa to spot them in the wild. Pygmy hippopotamuses also wade through the rivers and swamps, and they are much smaller and shyer than their big river cousins. The forests are also home to colorful birds like the African grey parrot and the white-necked rockfowl, which nests right on bare rock faces — a very unusual habit for a bird. Olive colobus monkeys and several other monkey species live in the treetops too. God packed a lot of variety into this small country on Africa's western coast!

What do kids eat in Sierra Leone?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! In Sierra Leone, rice is the big star of almost every meal — kids there eat it morning, noon, and night. It is often served with a thick, flavorful stew made from cassava leaves or groundnuts (that is what they call peanuts), cooked together with fish or a little meat. Rusty wants to add that the Atlantic Ocean sits right on Sierra Leone's coast, so fresh fish is a really common part of meals — sometimes dried and mixed into sauces to give them a deep, smoky flavor. For a snack, kids might enjoy roasted groundnuts, sweet plantains, or a piece of fresh mango right off the tree. It is simple food, but it is made with real skill, and sharing a big bowl of rice stew with your family is a normal, everyday joy there.

How do people say hello in Sierra Leone?

Great question! Sierra Leone has three main local languages — Krio, Mende, and Temne — and people greet each other differently in each one. In Krio, which is the trade language that ties the whole country together, you say 'Kushe' (say it like 'KOO-shay') to greet someone warmly. Greetings are a big deal in Sierra Leone. It is considered rude to rush past someone without stopping to say hello and ask how they are doing. Missionaries who learn even a few words of greeting find that people light up and feel respected. It is one small way to show the love that Jesus calls us to show everyone we meet.

What sports or games do kids play in Sierra Leone?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Sierra Leone love football — what you might call soccer — more than almost anything else. You'll find boys and girls kicking homemade balls on dusty fields, bare feet and all, in villages and city neighborhoods alike. It's the sport that brings everyone together. Rusty wants to add that kids there also play a game called 'oware,' a counting and strategy game played with seeds or stones in carved wooden boards — it takes real brain power and has been played across West Africa for centuries. Running races, swimming in rivers, and jumping rope are popular too. Kids everywhere find ways to laugh and play, and that's a good gift God gives to children all around the world.

What's the weather like in Sierra Leone?

Sierra Leone sits right near the equator in West Africa, so it is warm all year long — usually between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. There are really two seasons: a rainy season and a dry season, instead of the four seasons you might know. The rainy season runs from about May to October, and when it rains there, it really rains — Sierra Leone gets some of the heaviest rainfall of any country in West Africa. The city of Freetown on the coast can receive over 150 inches of rain in a year! During the dry season, a dusty wind called the Harmattan blows in from the Sahara Desert and can make the air hazy and dry.

Tell me a fun fact about Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone sits on the west coast of Africa, and its name means 'Lion Mountains' in Portuguese — early explorers gave it that name when they heard the rumbling thunder rolling through the hills, which some say sounded like a roaring lion. The country has a coastline full of wide, sandy beaches where the Atlantic Ocean rolls in. Sierra Leone is also home to one of the oldest universities in West Africa — Fourah Bay College, founded in 1827. It became a place where many African students came to study, earning Freetown, the capital city, the nickname 'The Athens of West Africa.' Freetown itself has an interesting story — it was founded as a home for freed slaves, which is exactly what its name tells you.

What is school like for kids in Sierra Leone?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding right beside me! In Sierra Leone, many children walk a long way just to reach their school — sometimes an hour or more on dusty paths. Classrooms are often crowded, with many students sharing one small room, and supplies like pencils and books are hard to come by. Rusty wants you to know that school in Sierra Leone usually happens in English, even though most kids grow up speaking Krio or other local languages at home — so learning is already an extra challenge before the lesson even starts. Many families find it hard to pay school fees, which means some children have to stop going altogether. But there are faithful Christians and churches working hard to help kids get an education so they can read God's Word for themselves. That is worth praying about!

Who are the unreached people in Sierra Leone?

Great question! Sierra Leone has several people groups who have not yet heard the good news about Jesus. The Fula and the Mandinka are two of the largest unreached groups — most of them follow Islam and have very few Christians among them. That means many of them have never had a friend or neighbor explain who Jesus really is. There are also smaller groups like the Susu and the Yalunka who have little access to the gospel. In some of these groups, there is not even a full Bible translated into their own language yet, which makes it hard to read God's Word for themselves. This is exactly why missionaries go to Sierra Leone — so that every person, in every people group, gets the chance to hear that Jesus died for them and rose again.

How can I pray for the people of Sierra Leone?

Sierra Leone is a small country on the west coast of Africa, and many people there need to hear the good news about Jesus. You can pray that the gospel reaches into every village and neighborhood — that people who have never heard about Jesus would get the chance to hear His name and trust Him as their Savior. You can also pray for the Christians and churches in Sierra Leone, that they would grow strong in their faith and not give up when life is hard. Pray for brave missionaries and local pastors who are sharing God's Word, and for families and children across the country to come to know Jesus personally. God hears every prayer, and He loves the people of Sierra Leone deeply.

What is a holiday or celebration in Sierra Leone?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One big celebration in Sierra Leone is Independence Day on April 27th. That's the day in 1961 when Sierra Leone became its own country, free from British rule. People gather in the streets, listen to speeches, watch parades, and feel proud of their homeland. Rusty wants to add something interesting — Sierra Leone is about half Christian and half Muslim, so you'll see both Christmas and the Muslim holiday of Eid celebrated there. Christmas is a special time when Sierra Leonean Christians gather to worship Jesus, sing, share food like jollof rice and pepper soup, and celebrate His birth. It's a real reminder that the good news of Jesus has taken root in that part of West Africa, and local churches are alive and growing.

What language do people speak in Sierra Leone?

Great question! Sierra Leone is a small country on the west coast of Africa, and it has a fascinating mix of languages. The official language is English, so you would find it in schools and government buildings. But most people speak Krio at home and in the market — it is a lively language that grew out of a blend of English and several African languages. There are also around 20 other local languages spoken across the country, like Temne and Mende. Temne is spoken by a large group of people in the north, and Mende is common in the south. This is one reason Bible translation work matters so much — when people hear about Jesus in the language of their heart, the good news truly comes alive for them.

What's a famous place to visit in Sierra Leone?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the most talked-about places in Sierra Leone is Bunce Island, a small island in the Sierra Leone River. It was once a British slave-trading fort, and thousands of people were shipped from that very spot to other parts of the world. It is a heavy, important place to know about. Rusty wants to add that Freetown, the capital city, sits right on a beautiful natural harbor — one of the largest in all of Africa. The city got its name because it was founded as a home for freed slaves, which is a remarkable piece of history. Today, Christians in Freetown and across Sierra Leone are sharing the good news that Jesus sets people free in an even deeper way than any earthly freedom ever could.

Sierra Leone — Kids Missions Explorer

Western Chimpanzee

Sierra Leone is one of the last strongholds for western chimpanzees, who use sticks as tools to dig termites out of mounds — a behavior passed down through generations like a family tradition.

Pygmy Hippopotamus

Much smaller and more secretive than its famous cousin, the pygmy hippo lives hidden in the forests and rivers of West Africa and is rarely seen even by the people who live nearby.

African Fish Eagle

This striking bird hunts by swooping low over rivers and snatching fish with its talons, and its loud, crying call is one of the most recognized sounds along Sierra Leone's waterways.

Cassava Leaves

Ground cassava leaves are cooked into a thick, dark green stew with palm oil and meat or fish, and this dish is so central to Sierra Leonean life that many families eat it several times a week.

Jollof Rice

Sierra Leone's version of this beloved West African dish is cooked in a rich tomato and pepper sauce until the rice soaks up every bit of flavor, making it a centerpiece of celebrations and everyday meals alike.

Groundnut Soup

Made from roasted peanuts blended into a smooth, savory broth with vegetables and meat, this soup is warming and filling and is often served over rice or fufu.

Sierra Leone

Things you should know about Sierra Leone

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in Sierra Leone

Missions in Sierra Leone

Pray for Sierra Leone