By Thaimu T Kamara
Ataya bases have become more than just tea spots for many youths in Freetown; they are safe spaces for social interaction, stress relief, and community support amid growing economic hardship.
During a visit to the Ataya base at Akram Junction in Freetown, I Thaimu T Kamara observed dozens of young men seated on wooden benches, holding cups of hot ataya tea and small plastic of groundnuts, passionately debating on football particularly which English club is superior between Manchester United and Arsenal. Beneath the lively arguments, however, lie deeper stories of struggle, resilience, and brotherhood. And then I decided to ask
One of the youths, Saidu Koroma, shared that the Ataya base helps him manage stress.
A graduate of Fourah Bay College (FBC) in 2016, Koroma explained that despite years of applying for advertised jobs, he has remained unemployed. “I come here to clear my mind,” he said. “It helps me forget my problems, even if it is for a short time.”
Another member, Mr. Abukarr Kamara, described the base as a place for building relationships. “This is where I make new friends and enjoy myself,” he said. “I believe in networking, and here you meet different people who can help you grow.”
Mr. Osman Sesay, known as the “whip” of the Ataya base, highlighted the broader economic challenges facing Sierra Leone.
He pointed to rising commodity prices, high taxation, and low salaries as major contributors to frustration among youths. Sesay, a 2020 FBC graduate with a BA Honours degree, said he survives through small business activities to support his family. After closing his business at 5:00 p.m., he regularly visits the Ataya base to unwind with friends.
“This is the only place apart from football where I reduce my stress,” Sesay said. He added that his busy schedule often limits family time. “Sometimes when I return home late, my wife and children are already asleep. We only really meet in the mornings.”
Beyond relaxation, the Ataya base also serves as a platform for community development.
According to Sesay, members organize initiatives such as road construction, water well projects, and seating arrangements for guests.
They also operate an osusu (rotational savings scheme) to support one another financially during weddings, parties, or family emergencies.
“We treat each other’s problems as our own,” Sesay explained.
Members also expressed disappointment with politicians who frequently visit the base during election periods, making promises that are rarely fulfilled afterward. “They come for our votes and disappear,” Sesay said. “But we remain here, trusting in God Almighty, the provider of mankind.”
Another youth, Mr. Sheaka Kamara, said joining the Ataya base gave him a sense of belonging. “I feel like part of a family here,” he said. “They never look down on me. I have learned how to live with people, and I have gained experience from different walks of life.”
Kamara added that the base provides advice and solutions to personal problems, as well as opportunities to connect with people beyond the community.
Despite the challenges facing youths in Sierra Leone, the Ataya base remains a place of unity, hope, and survival proving that sometimes, a simple cup of tea can hold a community together.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 11th February 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
