Miss Sierra Leone USA reflects on January 6, 1999

Hello world!!!

Hope all is well with you and yours. I am doing well, thanks to the Almighty. January 6, 1999. On this day in Sierra Leone, many lives were taken and our hearts were broken. It was a very sad and unforgettable day in my country, but we the people prevailed in the end. Even though this was a terrifying event for all, including the entire civil war, we prayed and persevered together as a nation. There was no classification of what tribe a person is or what religion they belonged to, we prevailed as Sierra Leoneans and called upon one God! 

Map of Sierra Leone colored with the nation's flag colors and alignment

Sierra Leone Coat of Arms

Fact: On January 6, 1999, rebel forces entered Freetown and launched a campaign of terror. Revolutionary United Front (RUF) fighters systematically murdered, mutilated, and raped thousands of civilians. The invasion lasted for a week and few days, but the suffering was untold. Hundreds were amputated, and a quarter of the capital city was burnt down. Over three thousand people were killed.

May the souls of the lives lost on this day and during the civil war rest in peace, and may happiness and blessings be granted on us all, the survivors. I pray the Almighty continues to comfort all those that still mourn the loss of loved ones on this day (14 years ago) and/or throughout the civil war. God bless the lion mountain. Land that we love, OUR SIERRA LEONE.

These children of Sierra Leone are our future, let us tell them of our nation's
history but also keep them optimistic for the nation's developing future.

In conclusion, I will like to share an excerpt from Nikki Giovanni's speech after the massacre at Virginia Tech. Her poem was specifically written for this incident but I believe it can be understood by all who mourn and face tragedy in life.

We are sad today, and we will be sad for quite a while. 

We are not moving on, we are embracing our mourning.

We are strong enough to stand tall tearlessly, we are brave enough to bend to cry, and we are sad enough to know that we must laugh again.

We do not understand this tragedy. We know we did nothing to deserve it

No one deserves a tragedy

We are strong, and brave, and innocent, and unafraid. 

We are better than we think we are and not quite what we want to be. 

We are alive to the imaginations and the possibilities. 

We will continue to invent the future through our blood and tears and through all our sadness.

We will prevail.

We will prevail.

We will prevail.

We Are Virginia Tech by Nikki Giovanni

SMILE. The future of Sierra Leone is only brighter. It Gets Better!!!

WE ARE SIERRA LEONEANS

WE WILL PREVAIL!!!

Let us all have a moment of silence for the lives lost on this day, 14 years ago. 

Have a blessed Sunday, everyone.

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Sierra Leone USA

Follow me on twitter (@MissSaloneUSA) and Like my Facebook Page

SOURCE:

Sierra Leoneans Remember January 6

We Are Virginia Tech

Happy Holidays 2012 from Miss Sierra Leone USA

Hello world!!!

Hope you and yours are doing fantastic. I am doing awesome, thanks be to God. I want to wish everyone that is and will be celebrating one or more Holidays this season. Happy Holidays and celebrate with the ones you love and care about, as they love you in return. Make it a great one!!!

Click Photo to Enlarge

Ruby B. Johnson,
Your Miss Sierra Leone USA

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Miss Sierra Leone USA on #SaloneVotes2012

Hello world!!!

It's Election Day (Nov. 17) in my beautiful country, the Republic of Sierra Leone. During this time I pray that God takes control of all activities, and all things will fall place through Christ. I am grateful to the Almighty that the country has the opportunity to be a democratic nation that can vote for its civil servants, this is something that some communities and countries cannot boast of, so I hope eligible citizens will make use of their rights today. 

May the best men and women leaders win, and I wish them God's many blessings during their time of service in the years to come. I pray that God will keep them focused and will work together for the development and welfare of our great nation. Salon na wi yon.

God bless, Mama Salone and her children!!!

Ruby B. Johnson

Your Miss Sierra Leone USA

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Sierra Leone and USA General Elections 2012

Hello world!!!

November 2012 is a very important time for my 2 countries, Sierra Leone and USA. It's Elections Time!!! Go out to the polls on Nov. 6 (USA) and Nov. 17 (Sierra Leone), and vote for countries' future. Also, let us keep these nations in our daily prayers for peaceful & fair activities before/during/after the General Elections.

Tips for Election Day:

• Remember to bring along your VOTER REGISTRATION CARD and other needed items.
• Be prepared to wait in LONG LINES, so plan your day accordingly.
• Have a SNACK and WATER.
• Use the BATHROOM (WC) before standing in line, and don't drink too much water while in line.
• DRESS WARM and get ready to camp out (folding chairs, blankets, etc.)
• BE RESPECTFUL of other people's choice of Candidate/Party.
• BE AN INFORMED VOTER!!!!
• (USA Voters) When about to vote, FIRST SELECT YOUR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE and then the option that says "all (insert political party)" afterwards. If not, your presidential candidate will be excluded.

For more information:

USA Voters

Sierra Leone Voters

Ruby B. Johnson, 

Proud Unaffiliated American Voter

Your Miss Sierra Leone USA

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Miss Sierra Leone USA Advocates for Peace, Unity, and Justice in Sierra Leone

Hello world!!!

I wanted to share this awesome video I came across. It promotes peace, unity, and non-violence in Sierra Leone. As a music lover, I truly believe in the power of music in conveying a message. I think this is a great collaboration by the Sierra Leonean artists/politicians/citizens in promoting a violence-free nation, especially during this time of presidential elections. I love the diversity shown in the song/video as well, especially showcasing the various Sierra Leonean languages and culture. It's also got a great beat to it. I hope you will get the message, as I did, and also pass it on to all native Sierra Leoneans and those in the diaspora. Say no to violence. Promote peace, unity, and justice for all.



Ruby B. Johnson,
Your Miss Sierra Leone USA

Follow my blog with Bloglovin