It's a turned out to be a rather packed newsletter! Enjoy! In this edition:
VisitSierraLeone.org gets official stamp of approval!
Site Updates
Giving back to the community - Brain Gain Initiative
Guest article
Pic of the month!
Free stuff
Site Profile - Sierra Leone Basketball Team - Fantastic Site!
In the news
In the forum
Job vacancies
 It’s the end of another fantastic year for VSL and long may it continue! What a way to end it too with an official stamp of approval from the National Tourist Board as "appreciation for the national duty performed by your goodself in the promotion of the tourism industry in Sierra Leone". He *blushes*.
So what of the industry? Well, tourism talk has been mixed. Many argue that the tourism industry is still a long way off from presenting a viable investment opportunity in Sierra Leone. No one doubts Sierra Leone’s tourism potential but it will take a gigantic effort by all players in the industry as well as a commitment by government to revitalise the industry. Stronger regulations, removing barriers, infrastructural improvements, education (dealing with tourists) and perhaps the greatest of them all – changing perceptions held of Sierra Leone – are among the challenges that lie ahead if we want to compete with the 180+ countries out there.
We have to start somewhere – and the wheels are in motion. There have been various articles in reputable media which give reason to be optimistic. The National Geographic for example have listed Sierra Leone as a travel pick for 2006, the Times ran an objective article on their travel section just last week where the writer states that “Freetown is sparkling again” or the article by the New York Times “A Land of Fragile Beauty Emerges...” A little birdie also told me that Lonely planet will also shortly be updating their information on Sierra Leone. Of course, there was also the documentary which went out on BBC World. Baby steps… Small small…
Guest Article
This month's contribution comes from Akindele Decker, 22 year old Sierra Leonean living in the United States. Akindele runs a blog which can be found at:
http://nurture-avenue-sierraleone.blogspot.com
Thanks dude!
 Who can forget Sierra Leone? The “pan bodi” houses, the dusty roads, Lumley Beach, and of course the famous Cotton Tree.
I can’t forget Sierra Leone, even thousands of miles away, stuck for now in that other place called America. I can’t forget about Sierra Leone, with its ocean blue sea and its golden brown sand. Walks by the beach side, a little more steps towards the water, and take a second to wash your feet in the Atlantic. That was a frequent occurrence when I was there, most people in this world have never seen a view of the Atlantic Ocean. I can’t forget about Sierra Leone.
Who can forget Sierra Leone? If you take a walk down Aberdeen road, make a turn down Murray Town road, an old dusty path, keep driving straight, before you get to the Methodist Church, right on your left is the Sierra Leone Grammar School, the oldest Secondary school in West Africa. I can’t forget about Sierra Leone.
Oh! And who can forget holidays in Sierra Leone, if you know them like I know them, then you must know that holidays in Sierra Leone is like no other. I remember the times when, as a little boy, I’d run out towards the Compound gate , hoping to catch a view of the circus type group, but not the normal circus group here in America. This group, consisting of everything from Stilt Walkers, to dancers, and of course, my favourite, the Bondo Debul. I was always excited, waiting anxiously for it to be my turn, as they moved from home to home, singing, dancing, and celebrating, that one a kind Sierra Leone tradition. I can’t forget about Sierra Leone.
I have been here for 9 years now, and yet it seems like just yesterday. Sometimes when I go to the beach over here, I take my eyes far beyond the intersection of the sun and the sea, wishing and hoping for just one glimpse, one view again, or one chance, to see my beloved country Sierra Leone. Today as I write this, the memories seem so clear, the wonderful experiences return, I look out the window, reaching as far into the midst of the skies as possible, thousands of miles away, searching for Sierra Leone. Knowing that yet, 9 years, 10 months, and 4 days, who can forget about Sierra Leone. 
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Thanks for that Akindele, if you wish to make a contribution please send your articles to:
newsletter@visitsierraleone.org
Pic of the month! |
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What a fantastic catch eh? Sorry but that is one ugly fish! :)The fish is held by Col. Bill Godbout, onetime Defense Attache at the US Embassy after fishing along the Sierra Leone coast. It's called Mahi Mahi apparently. A friend told me he ate one of these in South Africa and that they are "very tasty". Yum. |
©Copyright, The US Embassy
Used with permission. |
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Free Stuff
It's christmas and you can send free e-cards to friends and family spread across the world by going to http://www.visitsierraleone.org/cards/index.asp
 Click here to get a free desktop background of Banana Island!
Register for a free account to get access to more Desktop Backgrounds and Screensavers
Site Profile :: Sierra Leone Basketball team! |
This is a brilliantly designed site which profiles the Sierra Leone basketball team. Features clothing line as well as some brilliant photos of the team in action. You have to check it out!
http://k1x.com/ |
We hope that 2006 will bring even bigger and better things for VSL, the tourism industry and Sierra Leone as a whole!
Let me take this opportunity to thank you for all your support in the past year and I hope you will continue to support the site as well as suggest ways to improve the VSL experience. Please note that the next edition will probably come out in Febraury.
I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous 2006!
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