https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1314927534324
Facebook event:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=198702336862090
Saturday, September 3, 2011
#142: Love Your Body Campaign
https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1314927534324
Facebook event:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=198702336862090
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
#140: SLSC - Day 36
Day 36: Fatima Koroma (the poet)
Fatima went into the field of nursing and business technology after graduating from high school 2003. Fatima attended Virginia Highland Community college in West Virginia in 2005. She became a licensed practice nurse and earns a diploma in business technology in 2007. During her college years she competes in poetry contest honoring African American history with “I have a dream” poem, she won second place.
Fatima moved back to Northern Virginia in 2008 and work for Alexandria hospital for two years. She also works for The Hermitage of Northern Virginia and Cherrydale Nursing home as a licensed practice nurse. As a full time employer she attended Northern Virginia community, taking prerequisites to transfer and obtain a bachelors degree. Fatima earned a degree in applied science 2010 at Northern Virginia community college.
In 2010, she got accepted in Indiana State University and took few online nursing classes. Fatima is now studying physician assistant at Howard University. She currently works full time for the city of Fairfax with opiates addicts in an outpatient setting. The goal is to help people get off opiates, maintain abstinence and get their lives back.
Fatima Koroma is a 25 years old nurse/poet, born November 9th in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Fatima came to the United State at the age of 9 years old. She attended Gladys noon Spellman elementary and Kenmore middle school in Landover Maryland. Fatima maintains a 3.0 average at Kenmore middle school and was given funds from the foundation of Education. She discovered interest in writing poe...ms at Duval high school during her freshman years. Fatima enrolled in drama, art classes and stayed after school programs to practice scenes and plays.
Fatima went into the field of nursing and business technology after graduating from high school 2003. Fatima attended Virginia Highland Community college in West Virginia in 2005. She became a licensed practice nurse and earns a diploma in business technology in 2007. During her college years she competes in poetry contest honoring African American history with “I have a dream” poem, she won second place.
Fatima moved back to Northern Virginia in 2008 and work for Alexandria hospital for two years. She also works for The Hermitage of Northern Virginia and Cherrydale Nursing home as a licensed practice nurse. As a full time employer she attended Northern Virginia community, taking prerequisites to transfer and obtain a bachelors degree. Fatima earned a degree in applied science 2010 at Northern Virginia community college.
In 2010, she got accepted in Indiana State University and took few online nursing classes. Fatima is now studying physician assistant at Howard University. She currently works full time for the city of Fairfax with opiates addicts in an outpatient setting. The goal is to help people get off opiates, maintain abstinence and get their lives back.
As a full time college student and a mother of a two year old daughter, Fatima continues writing. Writing is Fatima' comfort zone with all the struggles in her life. Poetry is her passion; she writes what is in her heart and enjoys writing .Her writing targets relationships, dreams, goals, love, spiritual, wisdom, achieving and aspects of life. Fatima’s first book called “Fatima’s poetry of life “ is now in all stores and consists of 51 poems and many other things.
*This biography was taken from Ms. Fatima's Facebook fan page.
Monday, August 29, 2011
#139: HOAES (6)
So today I had a fantastic time in my Rock Mechanics lab, and I just want to scream to the world that I love Mining and Minerals Engineering, I love machines, and I love rocks! Being in a new major last semester was good, but I wasn't very excited about some of the coursework. However, I am enjoying this semester so far (even though I am only in the second week). Most of my classes last semester were very theoretical and I disliked the fact that I was not very hands-on with a lot of my classes, but one (Geology lab). One of the reasons why I decided to become an engineer is because I like doing practical work and being very hands-on, and I felt that engineering was definitely an appropriate path for me. But of late (meaning the past semesters), I've done less labs of my interest and more writing and I started losing my love for practical engineering.
BUT, I am glad to say that I am beginning to get my love for engineering again and my first lab work today definitely had something to do with it. Before going to the class, I was very tired because my day with classes started really early and I had already had 5 classes and they were all back-to-back, so I was not very excited to go to a 3-hour lab class. But to my wonderful surprise, reasons arose that made me wake up and get my excitement of being a mining and minerals engineering student. The purpose of today's lecture was to learn how to cut rock samples with the rock saw, polish the rocks to make them have smooth edges, measuring the lengths and diameters, and also finding RDQs. All the measuring was fun, but I was very happy when the *TA took us on a tour and asked if we will like to use the machines, and I gladly volunteered. He taught me how to use the rock saw safely with goggles and earplugs and also to be attentive not to cut off my fingers, how to polish my rock and test the level of smoothness.
Using the saw reminded me of my technology class that I had in 9th grade with one of my favorite teachers and mentors in the whole world. It just reminded me of why I decided to pursue engineering as a hobby and possible career, which is because of the hands-on work. This technology class was the deciding factor of my passion for engineering, and I had a wonderful teacher that made a great impact of me; he's the best. Also, it reminded me of the days I was involved with my Robotics Competition Team in high school, built robots and traveled to several locations for competitions with schools around the world. It was a great feeling to be using the big machines again, getting wet and dirty. As weird as it may sound, I felt pretty accomplished after I created a product out of my rock even though it was a small sample.
There are 14 people in my lab section with two girls, and I was the only girl in my group. Initially, the boys in my group were hesitant to mess with the rocks but with the opportunity of cutting the rocks that the TA presented, I just could not resist myself but to do it. As much as I get excitement from my major, as an individual and an engineer, I am always alert about being safe so I made sure I was following the proper steps. I have really small ears and so are the holes, so I notified the TA that the ear plugs wouldn't stay stuck in my ears; some of the boys were laughing at me and said that I need to stop acting like a girl; without being offended by it, I told them that yes I am a girl and an engineer and I am very cognizant that it's all about safety first, so if I am teased for being safe then that is all right with me.
So my advice today to you reading this is to follow your dreams and ambitions. There are times that you will be doing things and preliminary work that you do not enjoy but as long as the long-term goal is your dream, then it is worth it. I had to take some not-so-fun classes just to get to these fun classes, and the knowledge I gained in those previous classes have been beneficial to me in being a better student in the current classes. Also, do not pretend you know it all and shy away from learning new things because it will only hurt you in times to come; there were some calculations that I struggled with today in my lab but I put aside my pride and notified my group members that I did not know how to do it (even though one of them laughed at me), and by the end of class I was proficient in doing the calculations and reading the scales.
To my girls and women in engineering, be spontaneous and do things that make you comfortable. It's okay to be cautious whether you're teased for it or not. Do not be afraid to get dirty, wet, break a nail, and have fun, because you are only cheating yourself from all the fun in engineering and technology. Engineering and **STEM as a whole is exciting, so make the best out of every moment!
*TA: teacher's assistant
**STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
BUT, I am glad to say that I am beginning to get my love for engineering again and my first lab work today definitely had something to do with it. Before going to the class, I was very tired because my day with classes started really early and I had already had 5 classes and they were all back-to-back, so I was not very excited to go to a 3-hour lab class. But to my wonderful surprise, reasons arose that made me wake up and get my excitement of being a mining and minerals engineering student. The purpose of today's lecture was to learn how to cut rock samples with the rock saw, polish the rocks to make them have smooth edges, measuring the lengths and diameters, and also finding RDQs. All the measuring was fun, but I was very happy when the *TA took us on a tour and asked if we will like to use the machines, and I gladly volunteered. He taught me how to use the rock saw safely with goggles and earplugs and also to be attentive not to cut off my fingers, how to polish my rock and test the level of smoothness.
Using the saw reminded me of my technology class that I had in 9th grade with one of my favorite teachers and mentors in the whole world. It just reminded me of why I decided to pursue engineering as a hobby and possible career, which is because of the hands-on work. This technology class was the deciding factor of my passion for engineering, and I had a wonderful teacher that made a great impact of me; he's the best. Also, it reminded me of the days I was involved with my Robotics Competition Team in high school, built robots and traveled to several locations for competitions with schools around the world. It was a great feeling to be using the big machines again, getting wet and dirty. As weird as it may sound, I felt pretty accomplished after I created a product out of my rock even though it was a small sample.
There are 14 people in my lab section with two girls, and I was the only girl in my group. Initially, the boys in my group were hesitant to mess with the rocks but with the opportunity of cutting the rocks that the TA presented, I just could not resist myself but to do it. As much as I get excitement from my major, as an individual and an engineer, I am always alert about being safe so I made sure I was following the proper steps. I have really small ears and so are the holes, so I notified the TA that the ear plugs wouldn't stay stuck in my ears; some of the boys were laughing at me and said that I need to stop acting like a girl; without being offended by it, I told them that yes I am a girl and an engineer and I am very cognizant that it's all about safety first, so if I am teased for being safe then that is all right with me.
So my advice today to you reading this is to follow your dreams and ambitions. There are times that you will be doing things and preliminary work that you do not enjoy but as long as the long-term goal is your dream, then it is worth it. I had to take some not-so-fun classes just to get to these fun classes, and the knowledge I gained in those previous classes have been beneficial to me in being a better student in the current classes. Also, do not pretend you know it all and shy away from learning new things because it will only hurt you in times to come; there were some calculations that I struggled with today in my lab but I put aside my pride and notified my group members that I did not know how to do it (even though one of them laughed at me), and by the end of class I was proficient in doing the calculations and reading the scales.
To my girls and women in engineering, be spontaneous and do things that make you comfortable. It's okay to be cautious whether you're teased for it or not. Do not be afraid to get dirty, wet, break a nail, and have fun, because you are only cheating yourself from all the fun in engineering and technology. Engineering and **STEM as a whole is exciting, so make the best out of every moment!
*TA: teacher's assistant
**STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
#137: SLSC - Day 35
Day 35: Vickie Remoe
Host Vickie Remoe is a twenty something socialist, fashionista, concerned global citizen, Know-It-All, Africanist, self proclaimed “Biggest Swit Mot Na Salone”. Vickie is one of first “cool kids” to move back to Sierra Leone as early as 2007. Amongst many things she considers herself an innovative serial entrepreneur. She is executive producer of VRS, country director for Canoe Magazine (an African Lifestyle Magazine published in Ghana); she authors the SWITSALONE BLOG and can also be heard on Free Radio 95:7, Saturday as Co-Host to the Morning Show. Back in grade school teacher comments on Vickie’s report cards noted “very clever, but too talkative”, little did they know she was honing her skills. Vickie Remoe aspires to be an African Media Mogul and we think she is well on the way.
Swit Salone website
Vickie Remoe Show
Facebook
Host Vickie Remoe is a twenty something socialist, fashionista, concerned global citizen, Know-It-All, Africanist, self proclaimed “Biggest Swit Mot Na Salone”. Vickie is one of first “cool kids” to move back to Sierra Leone as early as 2007. Amongst many things she considers herself an innovative serial entrepreneur. She is executive producer of VRS, country director for Canoe Magazine (an African Lifestyle Magazine published in Ghana); she authors the SWITSALONE BLOG and can also be heard on Free Radio 95:7, Saturday as Co-Host to the Morning Show. Back in grade school teacher comments on Vickie’s report cards noted “very clever, but too talkative”, little did they know she was honing her skills. Vickie Remoe aspires to be an African Media Mogul and we think she is well on the way.
Swit Salone website
Vickie Remoe Show
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
#135: New camera = new adventures
My brother got me a new digital camera, and it's pretty awesome. Here are some test shots, and I plan to have a self-photoshoot with it very soon.
Monday, August 15, 2011
#134: SLSC - Day 34
Day 34: Sierra Leone Company
The Sierra Leone Company was the corporate body involved in founding the second British colony in Africa in 1792 through the resettlement of black American ex-slaves (called the Nova Scotian Settlers) who had initially been settled in Nova Scotia after the American Revolutionary War. The company came about because of the work of the ardent abolitionists, Granville Sharp, Thomas Clarkson, Henry Thornton, and Thomas's brother, John Clarkson, who is considered one of the founding fathers of Sierra Leone.
The Sierra Leone Company was the successor to the St. George's Bay Company which had been founded to attempt a mostly unsuccessful effort in 1787 to establish a free settlement for the "Black Poor" of London, many of whom were Black Loyalists, who had escaped and fought for the British following Dunmore's Proclamation during the American War of Independence). The 1787 expedition was made up of 300 of London's Black Poor, 60 English Working class Women, and an assortment of white officials, clergy and craftsmen to assist in building the colony - 411 men, women and children in all. Upon landing, they founded Granville Town as their base. This first colony only lasted about two and a half years, decimated by disease and later abandonment. The coup de grace occurred in 1789, when the neighboring Temne people burned the settlement during a dispute between the Temne and slave traders.
To know more about the Sierra Leone Company, read this.
The Sierra Leone Company was the corporate body involved in founding the second British colony in Africa in 1792 through the resettlement of black American ex-slaves (called the Nova Scotian Settlers) who had initially been settled in Nova Scotia after the American Revolutionary War. The company came about because of the work of the ardent abolitionists, Granville Sharp, Thomas Clarkson, Henry Thornton, and Thomas's brother, John Clarkson, who is considered one of the founding fathers of Sierra Leone.
The Sierra Leone Company was the successor to the St. George's Bay Company which had been founded to attempt a mostly unsuccessful effort in 1787 to establish a free settlement for the "Black Poor" of London, many of whom were Black Loyalists, who had escaped and fought for the British following Dunmore's Proclamation during the American War of Independence). The 1787 expedition was made up of 300 of London's Black Poor, 60 English Working class Women, and an assortment of white officials, clergy and craftsmen to assist in building the colony - 411 men, women and children in all. Upon landing, they founded Granville Town as their base. This first colony only lasted about two and a half years, decimated by disease and later abandonment. The coup de grace occurred in 1789, when the neighboring Temne people burned the settlement during a dispute between the Temne and slave traders.
To know more about the Sierra Leone Company, read this.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
#132: I never P-word
So this summer has been VERY busy for me. I've busy with many things such as working with my philanthropy, back-to-school prepping, but more importantly, I've been spoiling myself with lots of family and friends time. I've been loving all of it, but it's been taking a little of my time from blogging and doing dance videos. However, knowing me and how I'm good with manipulating time, I'll make it work!
Oh by the way, the p-word that I was referring to earlier is "Promise." I am not a big fan of that word at all, because my life tends to be so spontaneous and unpredictable that I do not trust myself when it comes to offering promises. I'd rather stay hush about something than promising it to someone. For instance, I said I'd make lots of dance videos and blog exorbitantly this summer, but that hasn't happened yet. So I am very happy that I never promised because when promises are made but not accomplished, disappointment is the follow-up, and I do not like disappointing people; also, it gives no room for others to discredit you. The moral of the story is that I'd rather surprise than promise.
While out and about this summer with one of my friends, I decided to have a mini-photoshoot with one of y new fave outfits. It's a summer dress I purchased a couple of months ago and I absolutely adore it. I think my figure suits this outfit, and the dress compliments the summer season! There were more taken but my friend's phone's camera didn't have great quality for the high-fashion photoshoot I wanted. Check out the pictures below.
Oh by the way, the p-word that I was referring to earlier is "Promise." I am not a big fan of that word at all, because my life tends to be so spontaneous and unpredictable that I do not trust myself when it comes to offering promises. I'd rather stay hush about something than promising it to someone. For instance, I said I'd make lots of dance videos and blog exorbitantly this summer, but that hasn't happened yet. So I am very happy that I never promised because when promises are made but not accomplished, disappointment is the follow-up, and I do not like disappointing people; also, it gives no room for others to discredit you. The moral of the story is that I'd rather surprise than promise.
While out and about this summer with one of my friends, I decided to have a mini-photoshoot with one of y new fave outfits. It's a summer dress I purchased a couple of months ago and I absolutely adore it. I think my figure suits this outfit, and the dress compliments the summer season! There were more taken but my friend's phone's camera didn't have great quality for the high-fashion photoshoot I wanted. Check out the pictures below.
Monday, July 25, 2011
#131: Knowledge Is Her Power
This workshop will be a guide for girls and young women about the upcoming academic year, and how to be a successful student. Topics will include goal setting, time management, physical and mental health, note-taking tips, and many more. School giveaways will be available to attendees.
#130: SLSC - Day 33
Day 33: The First Lady
Mrs. Sia Nyama Koroma is a biochemist and psychiatric nurse. She is the wife of His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, and current First Lady of Sierra Leone. She was born on March 19, 1958 in Koidu Town, Kono district, in Sierra Leone; she is a member of the Kono ethnic group. She holds a Master of Science in Organic Chemistry from the University of London and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of London and Fourah Bay College in Freetown. She is the mother of two daughters, Alice and Danke Koroma.
Sierra Leone's First Lady Sia Nyama Koroma is a woman of substance but with a humble disposition despite her admirable life achievements. Although she hails from the most prominent political family in Kono District in Sierra Leone, prior to now, the highly educated Sia Koroma never sought the limelight but quietly stayed in the background, strategically supporting her husband's political ambitions, and also advocating for women's empowerment and maternal heath. Sia's deep faith and conviction as a born-again Christian has been well documented over the past few years as she settled into her official role.
Although I do not personally know First Lady Koroma, I can rightfully assume that she is an amazing woman from all the wonderful things she had done in her career, and also as a First Lady. She has been working arduously in developing the health care system for the people of Sierra Leone, especially for women and children. She is a great role model for all, and I highly admire her work for the community and for young Sierra Leoneans like me. May God continue to bless her with the passion and strength to continue doing great things!
To know more about First Lady Sia N. Koroma, visit here.
Mrs. Sia Nyama Koroma is a biochemist and psychiatric nurse. She is the wife of His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, and current First Lady of Sierra Leone. She was born on March 19, 1958 in Koidu Town, Kono district, in Sierra Leone; she is a member of the Kono ethnic group. She holds a Master of Science in Organic Chemistry from the University of London and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of London and Fourah Bay College in Freetown. She is the mother of two daughters, Alice and Danke Koroma.
Sierra Leone's First Lady Sia Nyama Koroma is a woman of substance but with a humble disposition despite her admirable life achievements. Although she hails from the most prominent political family in Kono District in Sierra Leone, prior to now, the highly educated Sia Koroma never sought the limelight but quietly stayed in the background, strategically supporting her husband's political ambitions, and also advocating for women's empowerment and maternal heath. Sia's deep faith and conviction as a born-again Christian has been well documented over the past few years as she settled into her official role.
To know more about First Lady Sia N. Koroma, visit here.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
#129: HOAES (5)
So yesterday, I saw my result for my summer dynamics class and I was very happy to know that I got a passing grade (B); as much as I would have love to have gotten an A, I am very grateful for the B. I am happy because this is a class that I struggled so much in this summer, and the fact that it was a summer class made it more difficult. The reasons why I struggled are because this course content was intense, and my learning style was not very compatible with the professor's teaching style.
Dynamics being one of the branches of Engineering Mechanics is a very tough course and I consider it as an advance level of Engineering Physics with the constant presence of kinetics and kinematics. When I was in Engineering Physics (mechanics portion), I struggled in some of the content but I was lucky to have great friends in it, whom I studied with and we tutored each other. Towards the end of that semester, I was able to get a passing grade, but it was not my satisfactory grade. Due to the fact that I struggled in Physics, I was not very excited about Dynamics; I had taken Dynamics for a couple of weeks last Spring semester but dropped it due to the fact that it was very time-consuming and I was also taking Deforms (Mechanics of Deformable Bodies) and that is another difficult class, so I dropped it.
So this summer, I decided to take Dynamics by itself so I can fully concentrate on it, but also having rest some during my break from college. Although I am not a fan of summer classes, I decided to take this class because it's a prerequisite for a class I'm taking next semester and I just wanted to get it over with. Overall, I did not mind the class and even though it was a 4-hour-long class, I was okay with that because I looked towards the fact that it was only a 6-week-class. However, what I found difficult about this class was having to remember a lot of the things I had learned in Physics, Differential Equations, Statics, and also Calculus (1, 2, 3); yes, I passed all those classes but there were things that I struggled with back then so I did not appreciate them creeping up on me again. Also, the professor's teaching style was different from my learning style and there were no TAs (teaching assistants) but I am happy that I had a great textbook to refer to, and I worked arduously with my classmates outside of class.
My advice to present and future engineering students is to be ready to work hard, because the path involves some classes that will come with difficulty. What is also tough is that there will be times in this type of class whereby the professor may not be able to communicate well with you, so one has to make ways to succeed. Ways that can be made to succeed are by asking for help from whoever has accurate knowledge about the subject, reading books beyond the assigned textbooks, and also getting help from classmates. you start taking higher-level engineering classes, do not forget the content because they will most likely show up in future courses and practices.
Remember that engineering is a tough path for some but can be endured. Therefore, be the best student you can by working hard and passionately.
Dynamics being one of the branches of Engineering Mechanics is a very tough course and I consider it as an advance level of Engineering Physics with the constant presence of kinetics and kinematics. When I was in Engineering Physics (mechanics portion), I struggled in some of the content but I was lucky to have great friends in it, whom I studied with and we tutored each other. Towards the end of that semester, I was able to get a passing grade, but it was not my satisfactory grade. Due to the fact that I struggled in Physics, I was not very excited about Dynamics; I had taken Dynamics for a couple of weeks last Spring semester but dropped it due to the fact that it was very time-consuming and I was also taking Deforms (Mechanics of Deformable Bodies) and that is another difficult class, so I dropped it.
So this summer, I decided to take Dynamics by itself so I can fully concentrate on it, but also having rest some during my break from college. Although I am not a fan of summer classes, I decided to take this class because it's a prerequisite for a class I'm taking next semester and I just wanted to get it over with. Overall, I did not mind the class and even though it was a 4-hour-long class, I was okay with that because I looked towards the fact that it was only a 6-week-class. However, what I found difficult about this class was having to remember a lot of the things I had learned in Physics, Differential Equations, Statics, and also Calculus (1, 2, 3); yes, I passed all those classes but there were things that I struggled with back then so I did not appreciate them creeping up on me again. Also, the professor's teaching style was different from my learning style and there were no TAs (teaching assistants) but I am happy that I had a great textbook to refer to, and I worked arduously with my classmates outside of class.
My advice to present and future engineering students is to be ready to work hard, because the path involves some classes that will come with difficulty. What is also tough is that there will be times in this type of class whereby the professor may not be able to communicate well with you, so one has to make ways to succeed. Ways that can be made to succeed are by asking for help from whoever has accurate knowledge about the subject, reading books beyond the assigned textbooks, and also getting help from classmates. you start taking higher-level engineering classes, do not forget the content because they will most likely show up in future courses and practices.
Remember that engineering is a tough path for some but can be endured. Therefore, be the best student you can by working hard and passionately.
"Main Vari Vari" from the movie Manghal Pandey
#128: African Eleganza Thursday: Fundraiser For Change
African Eleganza Thursday: Fundraiser For Change will be an evening dedicated to showcase African music, culture, elegance, and intellect, but also raise awareness on issues happening in the continent.
Party Party Party for a Cause - Break the Chain of Poverty in Africa. This event will be a step towards accomplishing just that goal. ELEGANZA FOR CHANGE - AFRICAN ELEGANZA This event is sponsored by:
When You Believe Foundation
The Voice of DC http://www.facebook.com/gr La Belle Collection http://www.facebook.com/pa Troy-Massa Studios and Missions http://www.wix.com/massapi |
Facebook event page:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1252656916371.2028309.1227961148&saved#!/event.php?eid=111912515571470
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
#127: SLSC - Day 32
Day 32: Military
The Military of Sierra Leone, officially the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), are the unified armed forces of Sierra Leone responsible for the territorial security of Sierra Leone's border and defending the national interests of Sierra Leone within the framework of its international obligations. The armed forces were formed after independence in 1961, on the basis of elements of the former British Royal West African Frontier Force present in the country. The Sierra Leone Armed Forces currently consist of around 15,500 personnel, comprising the largest Sierra Leone Army, the Sierra Leone Navy and the Sierra Leone Air Wing. The president of Sierra Leone is the Commander in Chief of the military, with the Minister of Defence responsible for defence policy and the formulation of the armed forces. The current Sierra Leone Defence Minister is Ret. Major Alfred Paolo Conteh. The Military of Sierra Leone also has a Chief of the Defence Staff who is a uniformed military official responsible for the administration and the operational control of the Sierra Leone military. Brigadier General Alfred Nelson-Williams who was appointed by president Koroma succeeded the retired Major General Edward Sam M’boma on 12 September 2008 as the Chief of Defence Staff of the Military.
Before Sierra Leone gained independence in 1961 the military was known as the Royal Sierra Leone Military Force. The military seized control in 1968, bringing the National Reformation Council into power. On 19 April 1971, when Sierra Leone became a republic, the Royal Sierra Leone Military Forces were renamed the Republic of Sierra Leone Military Force (RSLMF). The RSLMF remained a single service organization until 1979, when the Sierra Leone Navy was established. It then remained largely unchanged for 16 years until in 1995 when Defence Headquarters was established and the Sierra Leone Air Wing formed. This gave the need for the RSLMF to be renamed the Armed Forces of the Republic of Sierra Leone (AFRSL).
To know more about the military of Sierra Leone, visit this website.
The Military of Sierra Leone, officially the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), are the unified armed forces of Sierra Leone responsible for the territorial security of Sierra Leone's border and defending the national interests of Sierra Leone within the framework of its international obligations. The armed forces were formed after independence in 1961, on the basis of elements of the former British Royal West African Frontier Force present in the country. The Sierra Leone Armed Forces currently consist of around 15,500 personnel, comprising the largest Sierra Leone Army, the Sierra Leone Navy and the Sierra Leone Air Wing. The president of Sierra Leone is the Commander in Chief of the military, with the Minister of Defence responsible for defence policy and the formulation of the armed forces. The current Sierra Leone Defence Minister is Ret. Major Alfred Paolo Conteh. The Military of Sierra Leone also has a Chief of the Defence Staff who is a uniformed military official responsible for the administration and the operational control of the Sierra Leone military. Brigadier General Alfred Nelson-Williams who was appointed by president Koroma succeeded the retired Major General Edward Sam M’boma on 12 September 2008 as the Chief of Defence Staff of the Military.
Before Sierra Leone gained independence in 1961 the military was known as the Royal Sierra Leone Military Force. The military seized control in 1968, bringing the National Reformation Council into power. On 19 April 1971, when Sierra Leone became a republic, the Royal Sierra Leone Military Forces were renamed the Republic of Sierra Leone Military Force (RSLMF). The RSLMF remained a single service organization until 1979, when the Sierra Leone Navy was established. It then remained largely unchanged for 16 years until in 1995 when Defence Headquarters was established and the Sierra Leone Air Wing formed. This gave the need for the RSLMF to be renamed the Armed Forces of the Republic of Sierra Leone (AFRSL).
To know more about the military of Sierra Leone, visit this website.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
#126: SLSC - Day 31
Day 31: Sierra Leone Times
As written on the website:
"Sierra Leone Times was established in September 2002 to provide up-to-the minute local news, together with national and international headlines as part of a global network pooling resources to deliver a quality service to member sites. Each online publication has been modeled on a newspaper format for familiar readability by users. The locations forming part of the network were selected on the basis of demand for news for that location.
Sierra Leone Times, effectively an online newspaper, provides coverage of the city, the metro, and regional area. International news, business and finance stories are common across the network of sites, and are drawn from a number of sources including wire services.
Sierra Leone Times and the other sites are administered by Midwest Radio Network from offices in Sydney, Australia."
Visit the Sierra Leone Times website, and know more about this medium.
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As written on the website:
"Sierra Leone Times was established in September 2002 to provide up-to-the minute local news, together with national and international headlines as part of a global network pooling resources to deliver a quality service to member sites. Each online publication has been modeled on a newspaper format for familiar readability by users. The locations forming part of the network were selected on the basis of demand for news for that location.
Sierra Leone Times, effectively an online newspaper, provides coverage of the city, the metro, and regional area. International news, business and finance stories are common across the network of sites, and are drawn from a number of sources including wire services.
Sierra Leone Times and the other sites are administered by Midwest Radio Network from offices in Sydney, Australia."
Visit the Sierra Leone Times website, and know more about this medium.
Friday, July 15, 2011
#125: SLSC - Day 30
Day 30: Steady Bongo
Steady Bongo (born Lansana Sheriff) is one of the most famous musicians to come from my wonderful country, Sierra Leone. He was born in Daru, Kailahun district in Sierra Leone to a Mende mother and a Madingo father. He is a musician, record producer, choreographer, and dancer. His songs are always meaningful and convey various messages of hope, pride, love, and many more. Something else that I really admire about him as an artist is his real and true depiction of Sierra Leonean/African pride in his endeavors.
From an early age, he performed on stage, imitating musicians such as the legendary Big Fayia, Samile, Eric Donaldson, and Prince Nico. He hosted a program called "Variety Time" at the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service (SLBS). His first album, Ready Before You Married, was released in 1991 and became an instant success not only in Sierra Leone, but in neighbouring countries as well. His second album Kormot Bi En Me, released in 1996, received the Best Album Award and had record-breaking sales. The album was the first of Steady Bongo's records to be released on CD in the United States. In 1998, he released Welcome to Democracy Na Salone and Born For Suffer in 1999. He's one of the first musicians that popularised Sierra Leone music to the outside world.
A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending his concert and got to talk with him. I had so much fun at the concert, and getting to know him. He is an amazing performer, dancer, funny, and all-round entertainer. And of course me being the impatient dancer that I am, I had to join him up on stage when he performed one of his new songs. He's such a great sport, and I had fun dancing with him. I definitely recommend everyone to get his new album, and attend at least one of his concerts in the near future.
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Steady Bongo (born Lansana Sheriff) is one of the most famous musicians to come from my wonderful country, Sierra Leone. He was born in Daru, Kailahun district in Sierra Leone to a Mende mother and a Madingo father. He is a musician, record producer, choreographer, and dancer. His songs are always meaningful and convey various messages of hope, pride, love, and many more. Something else that I really admire about him as an artist is his real and true depiction of Sierra Leonean/African pride in his endeavors.
From an early age, he performed on stage, imitating musicians such as the legendary Big Fayia, Samile, Eric Donaldson, and Prince Nico. He hosted a program called "Variety Time" at the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service (SLBS). His first album, Ready Before You Married, was released in 1991 and became an instant success not only in Sierra Leone, but in neighbouring countries as well. His second album Kormot Bi En Me, released in 1996, received the Best Album Award and had record-breaking sales. The album was the first of Steady Bongo's records to be released on CD in the United States. In 1998, he released Welcome to Democracy Na Salone and Born For Suffer in 1999. He's one of the first musicians that popularised Sierra Leone music to the outside world.
A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending his concert and got to talk with him. I had so much fun at the concert, and getting to know him. He is an amazing performer, dancer, funny, and all-round entertainer. And of course me being the impatient dancer that I am, I had to join him up on stage when he performed one of his new songs. He's such a great sport, and I had fun dancing with him. I definitely recommend everyone to get his new album, and attend at least one of his concerts in the near future.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
#124: SLSC - Day 29
Day 29: Rice
Rice is my ultimate favorite meal in the whole world, and I think being a Sierra Leonean has something to do with that because it is the country's staple food. My favorite type of rice is called "fen fen" and the grains are vey thin. In my opinion, I believe that rice with anything is a real meal and I can rarely go days without eating rice. It just taste so amazing, and I am very pro-rice, so rice manufacturers should contact me and I'd be their spokesmodel.
Rice is very well established in the agriculture and diets of Sierra Leone. People there consume an estimated 530,000 tonnes of rice annually, or more than 200 kg per capita. Ricelands cover some 180,000 ha and annual production is about 200,000 tonnes.
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Rice is my ultimate favorite meal in the whole world, and I think being a Sierra Leonean has something to do with that because it is the country's staple food. My favorite type of rice is called "fen fen" and the grains are vey thin. In my opinion, I believe that rice with anything is a real meal and I can rarely go days without eating rice. It just taste so amazing, and I am very pro-rice, so rice manufacturers should contact me and I'd be their spokesmodel.
Rice is very well established in the agriculture and diets of Sierra Leone. People there consume an estimated 530,000 tonnes of rice annually, or more than 200 kg per capita. Ricelands cover some 180,000 ha and annual production is about 200,000 tonnes.
Most rice is produced in upland systems, which account for 64% of total national rice area. Inland valley swamp systems are the second major ecosystem, covering another 26%. Only a small portion, less than 5%, of the inland valley swamp rice area has been developed, permitting partial water control.
The main planting season is April-July, with harvesting between September and January. Upland rice is directly seeded in association with other crops in slash-and-burn shifting cultivation. In other ecologies, transplanting is used. Land preparation is usually done manually with hand hoes, and modern production inputs are rarely applied. As a result, the average yield is a low 1.3 tonnes/ha.
Domestic rice production has stagnated, and Sierra Leone now meets only 70% of its total requirements. As the country recovers from civil strife, sustainable rice production will depend on greater support for input supply and output marketing, and development of lowland rice production.
Jollof rice is a national dish served in nearly all ceremonies across the country - at weddings, funerals and social gatherings. It is a common dish on restaurant menus.
***Information provided was taken from International Year of Rice.
Raw white rice
Cooked jollof rice
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
#123: SLSC - Day 28
Day 28: The Civil War
The Sierra Leone Civil War began on 23 March 1991 when the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), with support from the special forces of Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL), intervened in Sierra Leone in an attempt to overthrow the Momoh government, sparking a gruesome 11-year civil war that enveloped the country and left over 50,000 dead.
During the first year of the war, the RUF took control of large swathes of territory in Eastern and Southern Sierra Leone rich in alluvial diamonds. The government's ineffective response to the RUF and the disruption in government diamond production precipitated a military coup d'état in April 1992 by the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC). By the end of 1993 the Sierra Leone Army (SLA) had succeeded in pushing the RUF rebels back to the Liberian border, but the RUF recovered and fighting continued. In March 1995, Executive Outcomes (EO), a South Africa-based private military company, was hired to repel the RUF. An elected civilian government was installed in March 1996 and the retreating RUF signed the Abidjan Peace Accord. However, the government, under UN pressure, terminated its contract with EO before the accord could be implemented and hostilities recommenced.
In May 1997 a group of disgruntled SLA officers staged a coup and established the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) as the new government of Sierra Leone. The RUF joined with the AFRC to capture Freetown with little resistance. The new government, led by Johnny Paul Koroma, declared the war officially over, and a wave of looting, rape, and murder followed the announcement. Reflecting international dismay at the overturning of the civilian government, ECOMOG forces intervened and retook Freetown on behalf of the government, but they found the outlying regions more difficult to pacify.
In January 1999 world leaders intervened diplomatically to promote negotiations between the RUF and the government. The Lome Peace Accord, signed on 27 March 1999, was the result. Lome gave Foday Sankoh, the commander of the RUF, the vice presidency and control of Sierra Leone's diamond mines in return for a cessation of the fighting and the deployment of a UN peacekeeping force to monitor the disarmament process. However, RUF compliance with the disarmament process was inconsistent and sluggish, and by May 2000 the rebels were advancing upon Freetown once again. The British intervened to save the flailing UN mission and the weak government of President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah. With help from a renewed UN mandate and Guinean air support, the British Operation Palliser finally defeated the RUF. On 18 January 2002, President Kabbah declared the Sierra Leone Civil War officially over.
P.S.: This information above was provided from Wikipedia.
The Sierra Leone Civil War began on 23 March 1991 when the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), with support from the special forces of Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL), intervened in Sierra Leone in an attempt to overthrow the Momoh government, sparking a gruesome 11-year civil war that enveloped the country and left over 50,000 dead.
During the first year of the war, the RUF took control of large swathes of territory in Eastern and Southern Sierra Leone rich in alluvial diamonds. The government's ineffective response to the RUF and the disruption in government diamond production precipitated a military coup d'état in April 1992 by the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC). By the end of 1993 the Sierra Leone Army (SLA) had succeeded in pushing the RUF rebels back to the Liberian border, but the RUF recovered and fighting continued. In March 1995, Executive Outcomes (EO), a South Africa-based private military company, was hired to repel the RUF. An elected civilian government was installed in March 1996 and the retreating RUF signed the Abidjan Peace Accord. However, the government, under UN pressure, terminated its contract with EO before the accord could be implemented and hostilities recommenced.
In May 1997 a group of disgruntled SLA officers staged a coup and established the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) as the new government of Sierra Leone. The RUF joined with the AFRC to capture Freetown with little resistance. The new government, led by Johnny Paul Koroma, declared the war officially over, and a wave of looting, rape, and murder followed the announcement. Reflecting international dismay at the overturning of the civilian government, ECOMOG forces intervened and retook Freetown on behalf of the government, but they found the outlying regions more difficult to pacify.
In January 1999 world leaders intervened diplomatically to promote negotiations between the RUF and the government. The Lome Peace Accord, signed on 27 March 1999, was the result. Lome gave Foday Sankoh, the commander of the RUF, the vice presidency and control of Sierra Leone's diamond mines in return for a cessation of the fighting and the deployment of a UN peacekeeping force to monitor the disarmament process. However, RUF compliance with the disarmament process was inconsistent and sluggish, and by May 2000 the rebels were advancing upon Freetown once again. The British intervened to save the flailing UN mission and the weak government of President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah. With help from a renewed UN mandate and Guinean air support, the British Operation Palliser finally defeated the RUF. On 18 January 2002, President Kabbah declared the Sierra Leone Civil War officially over.
P.S.: This information above was provided from Wikipedia.
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