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Ow di bodi? For our readers based in the states most of you have probably heard about the Greg Anatomy's star... Isiah Washington (pictured above). He was recently in Sierra Leone filming a documentary which will be aired on ABC at some point soon. It turns out Isiah had a DNA test last year which revealed a maternal lineage to the Mendé people of Sierra Leone. This follows the recent Priscilla's homecoming celebration when Mrs. Thomalind Martin Polite, an African American woman from Charleston, South Carolina, made an extraordinary and historic journey back to Sierra Leone. Thomalind is known to be a direct descendant of a 10 year old girl who was kidnapped from Africa in 1756, placed aboard the slave ship Hare in Sierra Leone bound for Charleston, South Carolina. Oprah Winfrey also had her DNA tested. This genetic test determined that her maternal line originated among the Kpelle ethnic group, in the area that today is Liberia (apparently she earlier thought - or hoped she was Zulu). Anyway, what does this mean for Sierra Leone and other African countries? It means great opportunties for greater cooperation between Africans their brothers and sisters scattered around the globe. This is one to follow with great interest as we will hear more stories such as those mentioned above in the coming years. The on-going debate on dual-nationality continues and I received an email which I thought I should share. It follows on from the legal analysis of the Dual Nationality Bill which was done by GARBER and Co. You may also want to register support by signing the online petition. Site News We have decided to incoroprate a section dedicated to job vacancies in Sierra Leone. We figure a few people out there would like the opportunity to spend some time in Sierra Leone if they had an offer of full time employment. Hopefully this will prove popular with diaspora folks out there. If you would like to be considered for jobs in your field, send in your CV by emailing jobsearchsl@visitsierraleone.org. Just want to say thank you to Victoria Roberts who contributed this months article: Guest Article
A lot of Sierra Leoneans abroad I have spoken to say, they would rather go to Europe, America or another destination instead of Freetown because the place is overpopulated, filthy, and that there is no electricity and in some places no running water, increased prostitution and beggars. I agree that can be irritating, but in their defence isn't it all to do with poverty? Does that change the love for your country? I can guarantee that for about 80% of sierra Leoneans at home and abroad will say it does not. What can be done?! I feel I have to do my part, but what?!! I'm open to suggestions. Just thinking about the greenery, the beaches the slower pace of life, the friendliness of the people who make you feel at home no matter what situation they find themselves in - has made me realise what home really is. Any Sierra Leonean, who wants to go home but hasn't been for years, has to go with an open mind as I did after 11 years. Yes the place is still faced with a lot of challenges but look beyond that and you’ll always value that priceless feeling of being home. I know now that in order to keep my sanity I have to go back once in a while...... and just in case you’re wondering… yes I have been bitten by the Freetown bug!! Victoria Roberts World Cup Fever!!! - If Angola can qualify why not Sierra Leone?
In the spirit of World Cup fever, this section is dedicated to a few Sierra Leonean players plying their trade in the UK. Ok, well some may be British but they may be elligible to play for Sierra Leone if they so wish. Watching those dudes from Angola, Togo and Trinadad and Tobago, I dared to dream... Nigel Reo-Coker - West Ham Utd We are following the progress of Sierra Leonean players abroad in the forum, so if you know any to add to the list please let us know. Forum topic of the month That's all for now folks! See you next month when VSL will be celebrating its 2yr anniversary!! Bimbola |
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June Newsletter |
It's now been two months since my return from Freetown, and I still, unbelievably, feel pangs of nostalgia and unsettledness when thinking about my homeland. It made me question what I thought was home. For years I felt at home in London. Life is certainly much easier. There is electricity, Transportation, it's clean, great job opportunities, and good health care... I could go on. Although Sierra Leone offers very little of the above - it is home… and that is where the heart is.
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