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March 4, 2004
Volume 1: Issue 2
2004 5-T Initiative: Training
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Brain Gain: Sierra Leone |
Sierra Visions Inc. would like to thank
all of you for your support in 2003. In this edition of our Quarterly Newsletter,
we announce our new Board of Directors, Upcoming Events and Programs for 2004, SV Feature of the Quarter, SV 2003 Impact Report, and the long-awaited SV Investment Committee (SVIC) Invitation.
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What's New
Sierra Visions would like to thank and welcome our Board of Directors:
- Ms. Gemina Archer-Davies
- Ms. Amelia Broderick
- Dr. Robert Thomas
The list below describes our upcoming and ongoing events this year. Please feel
free to contact us,
if you would like more information or to sponsor any of our programs/events.
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| Program/Event Description |
| Power of $100 Scholarship Program |
| Ongoing program. You may make a secure, tax-deductible donation at
any time |
| Annual Networking Event: July, 2004 |
| Theme: Development
Strategies for Sierra Leone - African Minds Speak |
| 2004 5-T Initiative: Training |
| Reversing the Brain Drain into Brain
Gain in Sierra Leone (TBA) |
| Annual Goods Drive |
| Book Drive for the Sierra Leone Library, Rokel Street, Freetown (TBA) |
| SVIC Business Plan Competition |
Business Plan Competition for Sierra Leoneans (TBA)
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2003 Impact Report
As an organization, less than one year old, Sierra Visions organized its
first annual networking event. With the help of Sierra Leoneans in the community, we were able to seek
panelists, a moderator, and other participants for the event’s
success. We once again thank everyone for their help in making our first
ever event a success. See you all at our next networking event this summer.
Another accomplishment in 2003 was the scholarships we were able to give
to students. To launch our Power of 100 scholarship program, Sierra Visions
awarded vocational students in Sierra Leone with scholarships. In 2003,
we focused our scholarship on vocational schools. We selected two schools
whose students would benefit from the scholarship. As we received more
funds than anticipated, we granted four students scholarships instead
of the planned two.
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One of those schools, Rapid Engagement in the Acquisition of Practical
Skills (REAPS) is located in Tower Hill, Freetown. REAPS has vocational
program in which students attend for two years and graduate in January.
On the second year, students intern at local businesses and NGOs for
approximately four months. After their internships, most students are
able to acquire a permanent position. There are 150 students registered
at the school. REAPS also participated in the disarmament program in
which it provided training to former combatants. The scholarship went
towards tuition, books and one uniform. The scholarship recipient from
REAPS is Miss Dah Sankoh. She was awarded $120 for her tuition and other
educational expenses. Miss Sankoh studies office duties and would like
to be a secretary after the completion of her studies.
Another school that benefited from the Power of $100 scholarship in
2003 was the New Life Institute (NLI). New Life Institute is part of
New Life Project, a Voluntary Charitable Organization, founded by Brenda
Williams, who is now the President of the Project. It was birthed from
an evangelical campaign in 1994, when Brenda, Sonia Bangura and Adiatu
Kamara felt the need reach out to teenage commercial sex workers and
under-privileged young women. The Project is currently registered (since
April 2001) with the Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, under the
Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children Affairs and is an affiliated
Missions Team with Word of Hope Fellowship Church in Silver Spring, Maryland.
The scholarship recipients from this institution are: First place, Linda
During (awarded $100); Second place, Jeneba Alpha (awarded$100); and
third place, Kadiatu Deen (awarded $40). >> Full Report
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Sierra Visions Feature |
Sierra Visions, Inc will feature a Sierra Leonean who has made exemplary accomplishment and given back to Sierra Leone. We welcome nominations of these people for our upcoming newsletters. Please briefly describe what your candidate has accomplished, and what they are doing currently to contribute to Sierra Leone’s development. Once we receive the nominations, Sierra Visions members will vote on a person who will be featured for our quarterly newsletters. The Sierra Leonean will be contacted for an interview before he/she is featured on our newsletter.
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 Melron C. Nicol-Wilson. Mr.
Nicol-Wilson is the Director of the Lawyers Center for Legal Assistance
(LAWCLA) based in Freetown, Sierra Leone. I first heard about Melron
when I attended the All Works of Life (AWOL) Awards in Freetown this
past December, where he received the Lawyer of the Year Award. What amazed
me about this award, apart from the others that were announced, is the
reaction it received from the audience. Coincidentally, Mr. Nicol-Wilson
was the only nominee for this award, and therefore, a sure win. As they
announced his name, the audience cheered and I thought to myself, this
must be a very famous man. >> Full Story
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