Hugo Palotto

In September 2007 I was working to Christian Aid in Sierra Leone over the period of the second round of democratic elections since the end of the war in 2002. In the international press I had been disappointed to see many hyped-up reports of escalating violence and fear mongering. Whilst there had been a few small outbreaks of localised violence, the election was by and large considered peaceful and successful. I took these photographs on the day that Presidant Ernest Bai Koroma of the All People Congress won the election following a re-vote. 1000’s of people took to the streets to celebrate and show the support for their new leader. This project is just a snapshot of the lives and and the people of one of the poorest countries and yet one of most warm people I had the opportunity to know