"I am a poor village boy. You probably think you are better than us. Well, I guess you have a right to feel that way. You don't have relatives who ask for money and call collect." 

Will this not fuel the stereotypes that already exist between ethnic groups in the country, especially between Sierra Leone's 'Westerners' and the 'Upliners'?

Pede: Three points: 1) The story (a short one) raises/presents these issues. The author should not necessarily have to solve them or present a way forward. 2) It is the province of the critic, the teacher and the reader to say, like you are saying) that such dichotomies are stereotypes, to discuss their applicability to current conditions and to negotiate/consider ways of solving them. 3) To focus on the story as one of ethnic divide is to miss the larger frame of the story--that is, the relations/interconnections between back home and abroad--and perhaps even to reveal our hidden prejudices. There are many rural Krios with large, extended families and many non-Krios with nuclear families or who are only concerned with that level of family. The point is we may be drowning in a stereotypical soup unless we are able to divest ourselves of this Krio/Upline nonsense. Take away the names and set the story in Thailand, would these questions even be raised? Would stereotype be a concern? Would we not simply see the story as tension between two value systems/two different outlook? Had the names been two supposedly "Krio" or "Upline" names, would these questions still be asked? Anyone disposed to see this story as primarily about ethnicity should take a long hard look in the mirror.

SLWS: Foday accepts the pressures from 'backhome'... OK. He talks about the NEED to help his people. OK... But he has seen that this is a problem. He hasn't said anything about the way forward. We think that books in the 21st should be brave to advise and attempt to correct this problem. Our readers must take home messages from the characters... Let us don't leave it with the young minds alone. What do you think?

Pede: I think you are right, in a general sense, but one of the things I try to avoid is being too prescriptive and didactic. 

SLWS: We applaud the use of the name FODAY which unfortunately now signifies destruction in Sierra Leone. But it is FODAY in this story who is seen complaining and expressing disgust about the rebel leader... A good choice!

Pede: Exactly, we must be wary of letting the stereotypes attached to names incriminate and tarnish everyone by that name. Let's judge individuals by their actions rather than their name or cultural grouping.