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Quarterly Newsletter Vol. 4, Iss. 1
"Vision into Action"
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Quarterly Newsletter Vol. 4, Iss. 1 | |||||
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"Vision into Action" |
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Sierra Visions hosts Best Selling Author Ishmael Beah
 In celebration of Sierra Leone’s 46th year of Independence Sierra Visions and Lava Gina World Music Lounge in NYC hosted a special reading with US National Best Selling Sierra Leonean author of “A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Child Soldier” Ishmael Beah. The event was attended by a diverse group of individuals but the support from the West African community in NY was incredible. Also present at the event was South Africa's
 SV recently formed a strategic partnership with Celtel SL Ltd. as an integral private sector Education Partner. SV will work in close coordination with Celtel in making life better for all Sierra Leoneans via the “Come. Back Home” recruitment program, and the “Build the Nation” corporate social responsibility initiative. Starting in July 2007, ongoing sessions of our TR’SURE training workshops and seminars will be hosted and run out of the newly launched Celtel Academy. We also hope Celtel will hire, and serve on a rotating basis on selection committee for prospective ThinkBuildChange Salone internship candidates. To get involved find out more, please visit the TR’SURE website today! The use of technology, the World Wide Web (WWW) in particular, has become an important skill for both students and teachers to master. The Internet has a vast amount of information and infinitely many uses, but it takes practice to learn to effectively navigate its resources. Therefore, SV facilitated and collaborated with other local and diasporan Sierra Leonean organizations to form the Sierra Leone Chapter of the Internet Society (ISOC.SL). ISOC is a professional membership society that provides leadership in addressing issues that confront the future of the Internet, and is the organization home for the groups responsible for Internet infrastructure standards, including the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the Internet Architecture Board (IAB). Why not contribute to Sierra Leone’s digital revolution today by joining or registering with the ISOC.SL portal community?
As an opportunity for extra credit, students were encouraged to read “A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Child Solider” by Ishmael Beah.  Upon completion of the reading, students were to donate the books to SV Inc. One by one student’s bought the book and I saw them diligently reading the books during class, at lunch time: all the time. Parents and teachers called to inquire, “What is it about this book?” My reply was: “Please read it for your self”. The story was infectious and it continues to ripple through our campus community as others purchase and read “A long way gone”. Copies donated to SV will be used as reading material for TBC Salone Internship and SV Lit Circles. To donate your used copy or donate a new copy of Ishmael Beah’s “A long way gone: Memoirs of a child soldier” to SV for readers in
Student Quotes: Ms. Sisay I could not go to sleep last night, I stayed up all night reading. Carrying all of these burdens the way he did took strength but it took courage make his burdens into passion to drive him towards ultimate success. -Aliah Thomas,15 Ishmael Beah is a very strong man and was really fighting for his life because he strived to get out his nightmare. -Myra Flores, 15
"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that i can do."
(Edward Everett Hale) TBCS Profiles In Courage The TBCS Profiles In Courage highlights exceptional Sierra Leoneans and friends of Sierra Leone at home or in the diaspora who are making remarkable contributions to the nation's development in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Recent Profiles: The Visao Foundation (non-profit), Peter Conteh (film maker), Bimbola Carrol (creator/founder of VisitSierraLeone)
Read Current Profiles | Nominate for Profiles In Courage  SV continues to successfully deliver quarterly sessions of the TR’SURE program in Sierra Leone. Our last two sessions were delivered in partnership with SBTS Group and UJIMA. In 2007, we have introduced several new courses to the curriculum: including Business Administration, Finance, Marketing, and Media Entertainment. We hope to add even more as we launch TR’SURE (and TBCS) at the new Celtel Academy in July 2007. We would particularly like to thank our newest professional training volunteers: Ms. Jennifer Bunten-Graden, a Harvard law student; DJ Davey of Sacramento, USA 103.5 Radio; Mr. David Howard, UJIMA Executive Director, for their outstanding contributions during the January and April sessions, and hope they’ll join us for future sessions. In this and future editions of our newsletters, we will also share various program results and statistics including requirement survey responses, course evaluations, and quotes from past and present TR’SURE students. Will you "Come Back Home" or travel to Sierra Leone anytime soon? Sign up to Train with SV today!!
Student Quotes:
"I really appreciate the training you have given me. This my first time to have access to internet training programme and this will enable me to do research related to different areas in my studies." Mr. Kallon, FBC. "In Sierra Leone, we do not receive computer training from other people in the country. Many people want to learn computer skills, but there is no money to do so. You pay for everything you do. I know SV’ Brain Gain will help in this improvement" Ms. Bangura, Njala University.
GtS Scholarship
 Congratulations are in Order!Bockarie Bayoh, one of SV first GtS recipients will graduate from the Fourah Bay College (FBC) this June. Bockarie will receive his BA in Political Science and hopes to pursue a LLB (Bachelor of Laws) at FBC.
EXCEL & Lit Circles
EXCEL Trainings are designed to offer professional development workshops, for educators. The focus will be the development of teachers’ content knowledge and an expansion of teaching strategies. Programs will include lesson design, differentiated instruction, instructional needs, scaffolding, and eradication of route learning. Lit Circles is a program for young adults and adults designed to promote literacy, dialogue and discussion. Lit Circle Leaders will engage participants in discussion based forums and activities. We will explore contemporary and classic literature based on; heritage & culture, inspiration/religion, health and beauty, relationships, career and personal finance and self-help. For more information, please contact ysisay@sierravisisons.org. |
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