Poda-Poda: Poda Podas are minibuses in Sierra Leone. In Kenya, they are called matatus; in Nigeria, they are called Danfos; and in Ghana, they are known as Tro Tros.
During school days in Freetown, we journeyed to school via rickety poda podas. We heard some of the most interesting stories of everyday Sierra Leoneans in those buses, and they are the heartbeat of our city, Freetown.
|
Poda-Poda Stories is a Sierra Leonean literary platform that publishes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and literary criticism by emerging and established Sierra Leonean writers. Founded in 2020 by Sierra Leonean writer and journalist Ngozi Cole, the platform amplifies and promotes Sierra Leonean literature. As a literature student in high school, Cole studied work by famous storytellers like William Shakespeare, Chinua Achebe and Robert Frost. However, she always wondered why books by Sierra Leonean authors were rarely included in the curriculum. Poda-Poda Stories was born out of curiosity to learn more about Sierra Leonean literature and bring visibility to the rich stores of Sierra Leoneans. We have interviewed many Sierra Leonean writers, including New York Times best-selling author Ishmael Beah, historical novelist Yema Lucilda Hunter, and Caine Prize finalist Pede Hollist. As well as being a digital platform for poems, stories, and essays, we also help promote the work of emerging writers and new literature from Sierra Leone.
With funding from The Commonwealth Foundation and the Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice, we have expanded our team and introduced the first writing fellowship in Sierra Leone. The Poda-Poda Stories fellowship is a year-long program designed to support young Sierra Leonean writers to grow in the literary industry and manage an independent creative project.
|
Vision
As our platform expands, we are now a registered literary organization, with a vision to provide more support to Sierra Leonean creatives through our writing fellowship, creative workshops, and grants for creative projects in Sierra Leone.
|
Press and recognition
Linking Sierra Leonean Literature
7 African Literary Platforms to Watch Out For
Words on the Times with Poda-Poda Stories
|
Submissions
Our online submissions open twice a year. Please check out our submissions page for more details.
|
Partnerships
Poda-Poda Stories is always looking to partner with likeminded individuals and organizations interested in the creative sector in Sierra Leone and Africa. Please reach out if interested. Email us at editor@poda-poda.com.