Hello world!!!
Hope you and yours are doing well. Two Saturdays ago, I had the opportunity to attend Koya Progressive Association's Annual Fundraising event. Koya Progressive Association (KPA) is an extremely dynamic organization making big strides in developing Koya Chiefdom through fund-raising efforts from the Diaspora. The funds raised are used towards their mission of promoting education, providing scholarships, and children's empowerment for the many amazing children of Koya Chiefdom. At the event, I got to speak about the importance of the work KPA is doing, my personal platform as Miss Sierra Leone USA as well as MSLDC Inc., and my work with Save Sierra Leone Foundation.
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| Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson |
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| Miss Sierra Leone USA with President of Koya Progressive Association, Mr. Mohamed Bangura |
President of KPA, Mr. Mohamed Bangura is a man of great compassion for the people of Koya Chiefdom, notable educationalist, and an award recipient of Save Sierra Leone Foundation’s prestigious Hall of Fame
Class of 2012 Top 100 Humanitarian Award. In accepting the Award for his devoted service to the children and youth of Koya Chiefdom, Mr. Bangura said "I will not rest until all the children of Koya District get an education." My personal platform as Miss Sierra Leone USA is advocating for
SHERO, and I highly respect and support KPA for their dedication to service and education in Koya Chiefdom. KPA intends to increase their quota for their
Scholarship Program within Koya Chiefdom in Port Loko District, Rural Koya Area and the Ahmadiyya School in Newton. Most Koya families face financial challenges and desperately need help to educate their children. The Scholarship covering full tuition, books, and other learning materials is also an incentive encouraging a student to work harder to attain the grades necessary to earn this golden opportunity.
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| Miss Sierra Leone USA with one of the event's Chief Patron and a very sweet lady, Flo |
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| Ms. Patricia Omo Thorpe (co-MC of the event), Miss Sierra Leone USA, and guest |
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| Photo by Ken Lowe |
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Receiving Honorary Award for Save Sierra Leone Foundation
L-R: Miss Sierra Leone USA, Ms. Patricia Omo Thorpe, and Ms. Emma Fofanah
Photo by Ken Lowe |
Save Sierra Leone Foundation (SSLF), one of the non-profits I have worked closely with before becoming Miss Sierra Leone USA through
When You Believe Foundation, received an Honorary Award for its humanitarian efforts in the betterment of our people and our country, Salone. Receiving the award on behalf of the organization were Ms. Patricia Omo Thorpe, Ms. Emma Fofanah, and myself. SSLF and KPA have worked closely together over the past couple years, and have formed great solidarity in fostering assistance to our people back home.
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| Photo by Ken Lowe |
In 2011, Ms. Patricia Omo Thorpe (SSLF's President), Ms. Emma Fofanah (SSLF's International Correspondence Director), and Dr. Christiana Thorpe (SSLF's Advisory Consultant and NEC Chairwoman) paid a courtesy visit to key representatives of Koya Chiefdom . The visit was part of SSLF's in-country due diligence on the activities of some of the leading Sierra Leonean-USA based non-profits raising funds to enhance and stabilize Sierra Leone’s fragile education and healthcare system. SSLF members were warmly received by Chief Komrabai Kargbo the 2nd. Chief Komrabai Kargbo the 2nd was appreciative of the help his chiefdom has received from the Diaspora through Koya Progressive Association (KPA) as he cataloged the benefits KPA has provided to his people over the years.
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| Photo by Ken Lowe |
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| Photo by Ken Lowe |
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Women of Save Sierra Leone Foundation with Award Plaque
Ms. Emma Fofanah, Miss Sierra Leone USA, and Ms. Patricia Omo Thorpe
Photo by Ken Lowe |
In other exciting news, I was recently elected the Director of Networking IT Communications for Save Sierra Leone Foundation. I am very excited for this new position, and look forward to how I can be able to positively contribute to the success of this wonderful organization, and promote its values and mission towards Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora and at home in Sierra Leone.
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| Miss Sierra Leone USA with a member of Koya Progressive Association, Marian |
Overall, I had an amazing time at the KPA Fundraiser, and I am proud to let you all know that KPA successful raised an exorbitant (undisclosed) amount of money at the event. I am honored to have been part of such a remarkable event that will contribute to improving the lives of Sierra Leonean children in Salone.
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| Miss Sierra Leone USA with a member of Koinadugu Descendants Organization; one of the organizations honored at the event |
"We must therefore harness the energy, resourcefulness and enthusiasm of our young people so that they contribute positively to our societies, nations and the continent (Africa) ... An investment in the youth is therefore an investment for the future." Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
Remember to lift others as you climb. Have a PRODUCTIVE week, everyone!!!
Ruby B. Johnson,
Your Miss Sierra Leone USA
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