Pep Bonet

Blind Faith. Milton Margai School for the Blind - Freetown

The Milton Margai School is an example of blind people surpassing themselves and integrating into society. To date, in Sierra Leone, the only blind person to get a job outside a school for the blind is a former pupil of the school. One of the biggest successes of the institution has been to contribute to a disabled person's integration into society. This achievement demonstrates how far Sierra Leonean society has come, at a time when, having just come out of a cruel war, it must work even harder to integrate a category of persons who, in Africa, traditionally receive very little support. This school teaches children from childhood up to the last year of high school. The photographs in the series show a private dialogue between Pep and the children, which is complemented by the way the photographer was able to freely experiment with light. The resulting pictures convey the world of shadows surrounding the children, at the same time as they reflect the light their futures hold.

Kissy Psychiatric Hospital - Freetown

Kissy Mental Home is the only psychiatric institution in Sierra Leone. Built under British rule, it stood as a symbol of prevailing medical practice of the mid eighteen-eighties. Today it is practically in ruins, but stills accommodates approximately a hundred patients. Some have ended up here because they have nowhere else to go, some because they have killed, while others… no one really knows. One retired doctor, a volunteer and the only psychiatrist in Sierra Leone, is doing his best to help the team of attendants who are keeping this sinking ship afloat. The doctor calls in at the hospital once a week and monitors the status of the patients. Through lack of government funding, nothing much can be done in terms of upkeep of the facilities. But there are chains pinning lives to the ground, and the walls that resound with muffled cries demonstrate that the concept of human rights is not clearly understood by everyone. For a few days, Pep walked around the centre's various wards and cells. Each patient has a story to tell. Each story has the key word "war" in it. As a result of the war, these patients have become helpless and are subjected to obsolete therapies. But as the time of fear slowly fades into the distance, one can hope that change will come and that someone who understands them will turn up some day.

War Amputees' Football Team - Murray Town, Aberdeen, Freetown

This football team was set up in February 2001, and is made up of 22 players who are all residents of the Murray Town Amputees' Camp. Every single player is a war amputee and has a passion for football. Training starts at dawn, so as to play before the scorching African heat sets in. The early-morning silence is broken by the sound of crutches knocking against each other. These youngsters bear the visible scars of war, but their powerful football skills transform them into true athletes who know how to deliver a fast-paced and spectacular game. The passion demonstrated by the entire team is a strong therapeutic tool thanks to which they can face the future with confidence. In May 2002, the children trained hard for an exhibition game against the Polio Sufferers' team at the national stadium. Pep stayed with them throughout the training period, right up to the day of the big game. The resulting pictures show the true meaning of sportsmanship.

Born-Again Church. “Jesus is Lord Ministry”

This is faith in its most official version. In Sierra Leone, religious people are either Muslims or Catholics, and this coexistence seems to be working well. Born-Again Church is one of Africa's many congregations. Sister Dora Dumbuya, its leader, organizes group prayers and rallies throughout the continent, and as far afield as the United States. During services that can sometimes last over seven hours, believers express their faith in God through songs, prayer and trance. To immerse himself as much as possible in this expression of faith, Pep joined the congregation every Sunday. He particularly made sure he didn't miss the "circle of confession", where the faithful forgive each other for past atrocities. Through recognition and forgiveness, a positive message can be sent out to following generations, instead of the feeling of hatred that has hitherto prevailed.

Sergi Agustí