Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars are definitely a band with a difference.

The band formed during the terrible civil war in Sierra Leone. When the capital city, Freetown, was attacked in 1999 by the Revolutionary United Front many people were forced to flee to the neighbouring country, Guinea. Among the refugees were the band’s original members – Reuben, Franco and Grace. They were reunited in the Kalia refugee camp where they played music for others who had been forced from their homes. But they were not safe for long. The refugee camp was attacked in 2000 by the Guinean army who believed the Revolutionary United Front was using the camp to plan and launch attacks. After six months of danger the musicians were once again united in the Sembakaounya camp in central Guinea. Here Reuben, Grace and Franco met the others – Arahim, Black Nature and Mohammed. Reuben and Franco refused to be worried by their sad situation and decided to form a band. They were given two old electric guitars, a microphone and a battered sound system by a Canadian relief agency It was not much but it was enough. The others joined them and the Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars were born!

The story of the band is told in the documentary film The Refugee All Stars. This documentary was seen all over the world and exposed them to an international audience. The film shows the band as they return to their homes and the way they use their music to help them deal with the tragedy of the civil war’s aftermath.

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars have now toured many places in the world to play music and raise awareness of the lives of refugees. In April 2007 they completed their first tour of Australia. Despite their ordeal their music is often positive and full of hope even though they also sing of painful experiences.

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You find out more of their inspiring story and listen to some of their songs at these sites.

• The Refugee All Stars’ MySpace profile
• The Refugee All Stars’ official site
• Website for The Refugee All Stars documentary

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