Map of Sierra Leone
  Sierra Leone Club of Columbus Ohio

SLCCO Annual Picnic, 2010

On Sunday July 18, 2010 the Sierra Leone Community in Columbus, Ohio had their annual Picnic at the Alum Creek State Park Beach.  It was another joyous time where Sierra Leoneans shared love and unity.  The turnout for this year’s picnic was superfluous, though the weather was not in our favor.  It rained intermittently but that did not stop the fun, dancing and laughter that Sierra Leoneans so dearly inherited from their motherland, Sierra Leone.  There was food, drinks and music to the taste of everyone present.  D.J. Bakarr was in attendance.

 

The main event of the picnic was the recognition of graduates for the 2009/2010 Academic year.  As our tradition, it started with Christian prayers led by Pastor Haja of the Christ Liberated Sabbath Mission Church, and Muslim prayers led by Mr. Numukeh Kondeh.  Brief remarks were made by the Secretary of the SLCCO, Mr. Thomas Senessie and the President, Mr. Abass Bangura.  Mr. Bangura informed the community about the OSU delegation that went to the Njala University to train instructors on Artificial Insemination on goats and cows as part of the Veterinary project that the club has spearheaded.  Dr. Cecil M. Fyle was also in attendance to brief the community on the scholarship program initiated by the Sierra Leone Club of Columbus Ohio in Sierra Leone.  The graduates were recognized individually with a certificate of Excellence granted by the Sierra Leone Club of Columbus, Ohio.  They graduates ranged from Kindergarten to Master’s degree.  The ranks and names of the graduates for 2008, 2009 and 2010 are listed below. 

After the certificates were distributed, Mr. Ahmed Kanu (former president and ex-officio member), and Isatu Sankoh the Club’s Social Secretary, made brief statements to the graduates, quoting words of wisdom.  Mr. Stephen Fomba, the Assistant Public Relation Officer gave the vote of thanks.

We cannot end this narrative without expressing our profound thanks to Habib and Kaday Bundu who collaborated with the Sierra Leone Club of Columbus Ohio to celebrate Kadiatu Fatu Bundu’s graduation at Alum Creek Beach Park, because of a conflict on the planned date.  This was a philanthropic act, showing signs of love and unity in the community and his country.  We hope that their act will be emulated by others in the community.

LOVE AND BLESSINGS BE ON ALL MEMBERS OF THE SIERRA LEONE
COMMUNITY IN COLUMBUS, OHIO!

LONG LIVE SIERRA LEONE CLUB OF COLUMBUS!

 Emmanuel S. Leigh
Public Relation Officer