Happy Independence Day from SLIP
Lá Neamhspleáchais Shona ó do chairde í SLIP
Sierra Leone Independence Day
Author: Ger
SLIP AGM Fri 29th October 7.30
The SLIP AGM will be held on the 29th October in the Teachers’ Club, 36 Parnell Square at 7.30.
Thank you for your support during the past year.
Because of the covid-19 pandemic some of our activities have been curtailed. It is heartening to be emerging now with the safety provided by vaccination. Of course SLIP is also cognisant of the need for greater vaccination availability in Sierra Leone.
If you are not in a position to attend in person you can join by zoom, the link to be forwarded nearer the time.
If you wish to join via zoom, please request the link by Wed 27th October. For those meeting in person there will be an opportunity to purchase refreshments.
Last year there were a number of scholarships awarded to SL students to study in Ireland funded by Irish Aid. Because of the lectures being provided online some of the students did not travel to Ireland but they followed their course from home. One of the students who travelled to study in UCD Aminata Conteh was interviewed by Sorcha Pollak in the Irish Times. You can read the interview on the website.
This is also the time of the year when we seek a membership subscription, which can be paid by either of 3 ways
1.direct transfer to the SLIP Account IBAN: IE11BOFI 903437 64322068
2. via Stripe; details on the website
3. by cheque to Mr. Frank Roden, Hon Treasurer, 39 Ramleh Park, Milltown, Dublin 6D06H6C2
SLIP was founded in 1992 and next year will be the 30th anniversary of our foundation. We plan to publish a book on the theme of ‘looking back and looking forward’, maintaining and strengthening the Sierra Leone Ireland connection. Publication of the book will cost approx €2,000. We plan to cover some of the costs of production via sales. We would appreciate any donation or suggestion for a source of sponsorship you may make.
I hope you can continue your support for SLIP. and if you would like to be more active on the committee we would be very pleased to hear from you.
Ken Saro-Wiwa Poetry Competition
Readings from the Maynooth University Ken Saro-Wiwa Poetry Competition via Zoom on Tuesday
Reflection by Joseph Bockarie for SLIP AGM
Reflection for October Meeting
SLIP-A Place of Belonging
This year’s Annual General Meeting is held against a backdrop of the death of two important people who contributed immensely to the making of the nation Sierra Leone in their own way. These people are Sister Hilary and Patricia, Sean’s wife. When Eddie wrote about Patricia and Sean in Kenema and Bo Teacher’s College in the 60s, I remembered my own life when I was just starting my secondary school in the late 60s. It really made me come to terms with the sacrifices you people made in education in Sierra Leone. At that time all the teachers in my school were missionaries.
When the missionaries returned home, they did not forget their past work and life in Sierra Leone, so SLIP was formed to bring life from their good work and to celebrate hope. SLIP to all of us is a place of belonging, a place to celebrate life and a place where we all cling to the promise of the future. As we conduct the business of today, we must bear in mind that SLIP is a place of belonging, a place to celebrate lives of those we stand for and a place where we all cling to the promise of the future. The promise of the future is good governance and good education in Sierra Leone.
I want to end my reflection by observing a minute silence in honour of Sister Hilary and Patricia.
SLIP Annual General Meeting
SLIP Annual General Meeting
On Saturday morning the 31st October 2020 the SLIP Annual General Meeting was held via Zoom. This on line facility accommodated over 25 people in joining the meeting from London and others from Belfast to Cork and many counties in between.
The Chairperson warmly welcomed the attendees, with a very special ‘cead mile fáilte’ to two students from Sierra Leone who have recently arrived in Ireland to pursue studies. The students Amy Conteh pursuing MA in International Studies in UCD and Simche Lebbie studying MSc. in Social Policy in UCC, are funded under Irish Aid Scholarships.
The following Officers were elected:
Chairperson : Elizabeth Smith
Recording secretary : Liam McGlynn
Communications secretary : Geraldine Horgan
Treasurer: Frank Roden
Webmaster: Tony Robinson
Public Relations Officer: Jim Owens
The outgoing officers Martin Rowan and Ibrahim Bah were thanked for their work and contributions to on-going advocacy work of SLIP.
The Annual Report was presented and accepted at the meeting and a link to it can be found below.
The Chairperson, Elizabeth Smith drew attention to the enormous voluntary contribution by members of the organisation without which the many activities of the year could not be accomplished. She sincerely thanked all the members of the SLIP Committee for their work. She also gratefully acknowledged the ever important financial support of the members.