Makeni
- Capital of Bombali district, Northern Province
- 4th largest city in Sierra Leone
- Hometown of President Ernest Bai Koroma
- Population estimate: 110,000 to 115,000 people (about the size of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Bigger than Notre Dame's hometown in South Bend!)
Though short supplies would be expected in a country like Sierra Leone, Makeni has its own history of being relatively deprived of resources. For various political and social reasons, Makeni does not hold the same government favor as the other large cities. As such, it is often the last to receive government sponsored projects or even basic resources such as petrol (Bolten, 2012). However, Makeni is full of promise in many other ways, including several growing industries, exciting renewable energy projects, and fantastic education for children with disabilities. The growth of the town is promising, and the locals are proud of their hometown and the growth that it has accomplished!