kissy mental home & City of rest phot. by Pep Bonet

The civil war in Sierra Leone (1991-2001) was labeled "the cruelest in Africa's recent history". It was characterized by destruction -- of property, but more so of human lives and values. Tens of thousands of civilians died, hundreds of thousands were raped, burnt, tortured, enslaved, mutilated. Many patients in Kissy Mental Hospital are psychotic because of severe drugs and alcohol abuse, others are traumatized by having participated as a fighter in the war There is a lack of staff, especially of trained staff. The hospital was rebuilt in 2006 and now patients have better beds and windows.

http://pepbonet.com/2007/10/portfolio/kissy-mental-home-sierra-leone/