Prosecutors today asked Charles Taylor’s 19th witness, the former interim leader of the Sierra Leonean rebel group that Mr. Taylor is accused of providing support for, to account to the people of Sierra Leone what his rebel group did with the country’s diamonds and whether the war in Sierra Leone was about diamonds.

Issa Hassan Sesay, the former interim leader of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebel group moved into the second day of his cross-examination where among many other things, the discussion moved into what the RUF did with Sierra Leone’s diamond resources. Prosecution counsel Nicholas Koumjian read portions of the RUF anthem in which the rebel group questioned the government of Sierra Leone about the country’s diamond resources.

“Where are our diamonds…RUF is hungry to know where they are,” reads a portion of the anthem that was quoted in court today. When asked afterwards whether “the war in Sierra Leone was a war about diamonds,” Mr. Sesay said, “No.” “It was not a war about diamonds because from 1991 to 1997, the RUF was not occupying diamond areas,” Mr. Sesay responded.

When asked whether this situation changed after 1997, Mr. Sesay again said, “No.” “If it was a war about diamonds, I wouldn’t have disarmed in the diamond areas,” he added. Mr. Koumjian read a portion of a November 2000 newspaper that quoted Mr. Taylor as saying, “Yes, I think that the war in Sierra Leone is a war about diamonds but not for Liberia to take those diamonds.”

In response to this statement, Mr. Sesay said, “I wouldn’t agree because the war in Sierra Leone was not about diamonds.” When Mr. Sesay was asked to account to the people of Sierra Leone what he did with the country’s diamonds, Mr. Sesay explained that he sold the diamonds and the proceeds were used to take care of RUF members who were also Sierra Leoneans.

“The diamonds that I got I used to sell and used the money to take care of the RUF…The RUF soldiers that I took care of, they were Sierra Leoneans,” he said. In response to a question as to the number of “stones” [diamonds] that he received while he was in control of the RUF, Mr. Sesay said, “I can’t remember the exact number of stones I received.”

He also said that he cannot recall the exact amount of money that he obtained from the sale of the diamonds that were mined by the RUF.

“You can’t account because the bulk of the diamonds went to Charles Taylor, isn’t it?” Mr. Koumjian put to Mr. Sesay. “Well, as far as money was concerned, the diamonds I used to receive I used to sell, I did not give diamonds to Mr. Taylor,” Mr. Sesay responded.

Mr. Koumjian also read a portion of the report submitted to the court by a prosecution expert witness, who testified in 2008. In the report, the expert witness estimated that proceeds from diamond sales during the period of the RUF’s occupation of the mining areas in Sierra Leone could have amounted to millions of dollars. Mr. Koumjian then pushed Mr. Sesay further on what could have happened to the diamonds from Sierra Leone.

“What happened to all the diamonds in Kono and Tongo Field [both diamond mining towns in Sierra Leone]…you took them to Charles Taylor,” Mr. Koumjian said.

“No sir. These estimates that they are making are exaggerations, I never saw this kind of diamonds…I said I was not taking diamonds to Charles Taylor. The diamonds that they were mining, I used to sell to take care of the RUF,” Mr. Sesay explained.

Also read in court today was a portion of the evidence of a previous prosecution witness Abu Keita, a former member of the RUF, who said that civilians were beaten and harassed if they were found in possession of diamonds in Kono. Mr. Sesay said that this was never the case. “That is not true…the atmosphere in Kono was nice, and there was no harassment of civilians,” Mr. Sesay said.

Prosecutors allege that the RUF subjected civilians in diamond mining towns to forced labor in order to work as miners. Some of these civilians were killed when they could not work as miners, prosecutors allege. It is further alleged that the diamonds, once mined, were taken to Mr. Taylor in Liberia by RUF commanders, including Mr. Sesay. Mr. Taylor has denied receiving diamonds from RUF rebels, and in his testimony as a defense witness for Mr. Taylor, Mr. Sesay has also denied taking diamonds to Mr. Taylor in Liberia.

Prosecutors also today put to Mr. Sesay that himself and RUF commander Sam Bockarie looked at Mr. Taylor as a father figure in their lives and Mr. Taylor took them to be his sons. Prosecutors highlighted the crimes committed by Mr. Bockarie in Sierra Leone and his public pronouncements about being a “ruthless commander.” Even with such pronouncements and reports of Mr. Bockarie’s atrocities in Sierra Leone, Mr. Taylor still took him to be his son, Mr. Koumjian said in court.

Mr. Koumjian read a portion of Mr. Taylor’s testimony in which the former Liberian president told the court how he liked Mr. Bockarie after he was confronted with evidence that he ordered the execution of Mr. Bockarie. “I never wanted that boy dead, I liked him like a son. I never wanted him dead. I never would have handed him to Kabbah [former Sierra Leonean president]…I loved that boy,” Mr. Taylor said in 2009.

“That’s what Charles Taylor said about Sam Bockarie, the man who did all this evil and threatened a campaign of evil to kill all living things,” Mr. Koumjian said after reading the statement. “Well, I don’t know, that is what Charles Taylor said, that was his opinion,” Mr. Sesay responded. Mr. Koumjian also pointed out that when Mr. Bockarie left the RUF and relocated to Liberia, Mr. Taylor gave him a huge salary because of the relationship that existed between them.

“Sam Bockarie had a salary of 1000 USD a month when the average Liberian is living on less than one USD a day…that’s how a father treats a son,” Mr. Koumjian said. Mr. Sesay responded that he never knew that Mr. Bockarie was receiving 1000 USD per month while in Liberia. Mr. Sesay’s testimony continues on Monday.

An excerpt from the Cocorioko website:http://www.cocorioko.net, retrieved July 29, 2010, Sean Sinico reports:

Blood diamonds continue to fuel conflicts around the world, but it has taken a splash of celebrity for the global community to take note, says Global Witness campaigner Elly Harrowell.

The war crimes trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor in The Hague is expected to take a glamorous turn with British supermodel Naomi Campbell scheduled to testify next week. She’s claimed that Taylor gave her a large, rough diamond at a dinner party in South Africa in 1997. That diamond is allegedly linked to the civil war in Sierra Leone. Taylor stands accused of arming rebels in return for illegally mined diamonds.

Elly Harrowell is a campaigner at the London-based organization Global Witness, which investigates and publicizes links between the exploitation of natural resources and conflict and corruption. She spoke to Deutsche Welle about why blood diamonds are still a pressing issue and why it has taken a celebrity for the world to pay attention.

Deutsche Welle:  Has Naomi Campbell’s scheduled appearance in Charles Taylor’s trial next week helped refocus global attention on conflict or blood diamonds?

Elly Harrowell: Yes absolutely, I think it’s a little sad in a way that we need the input of a celebrity such as Naomi Campbell in order to focus people’s minds on the issue of conflict diamonds. But what it has done that is quite positive is get people talking about an issue that many people seem to think has fallen away in recent years. The question of conflict diamonds is still very much a live question, one that continues to rear its ugly head in a number of places. So I’m certainly glad that this is back on the front pages, so that we can keep pushing to find a resolution to the problem.

Campaigners like your group have been trying over the years to keep this issue alive, why do you think it keeps slipping off the radar?

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:  Supermodel Naomi Campbell (right) is set to testify at the trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor
I think there have been a few relatively quiet years in terms of conflict diamonds. After the horrific wars that we saw in West Africa, in Angola as well, that brought conflict diamonds to the fore. After they had ended, there weren’t quite so many real classic conflict diamond wars in the news anymore, that is until the issue of Zimbabwe came to the forefront in the last couple of years where we’ve seen, unfortunately once again, quite horrific violence associated with the diamond trade.

There’s also the question of the Cote d’Ivoire. Cote d’Ivoire remains the only country in the world whose diamonds are under UN sanctions at the moment. That’s because they had a long rebel war where the north and south of the country were split, and in effect, all of the diamond-producing areas are found in the north of the country, and under the control of the groups. Elsewhere, there are still concerns, and we hear periodic reports of human rights abuses in the diamond trade in, for example, Angola, and we also have countries such as Venezuela where the implementation of the Kimberley Process is very weak and problematic and we see real rampant diamond smuggling.

The Kimberley Process is a system that participating countries have signed up to trace the diamond from the mine to the polishing stage. This has to do with rough diamonds of course. Where are we at currently in this process?

The Kimberley Process has been enforced since 2003, so it’s had seven years now to prove its worth. I think it’s fair to say that it’s had a few achievements. The existence of the Kimberley Process is in itself an achievement. It was quite pioneering in the way that it brought together governments, industry and civil society to work together to address the issue of conflict diamonds, and in some of the countries where we saw real conflict diamond problems, the Kimberley Process has helped to push up official diamond revenue, which takes the revenue out of the hands of armed groups and into the state coffers and pushes development.

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:  Kimberley Process regulators recently allowed Zimbabwe to resume some diamond exports
So it does have a lot of potential to do good and to prevent conflict diamond issues, however it’s not really achieving that full potential at the moment. We’ve talked about some of the problem cases that still exist – in Venezuela, Cote d’Ivoire, Zimbabwe – and there’s also a real need for the Kimberley Process to be reformed, in order that it can really effectively face some of the challenges it faces today.

Global Witness has been calling for increased supervision of the industry by governments in participating countries. Is that part of the reforms you were referring to?

It is, there’s a number of reforms we think are really quite crucial. For example, we think the Kimberley Process should reiterate and strengthen its commitment to protecting human rights. We feel that’s really at the heart of the Kimberley Process, the reason we set it up in the first place was to protect from harm those communities involved in diamond mining. We also think that governments and industry should agree to set up some sort of secretariat for the KP. You might be quite surprised to know that we’re talking about a system that brings together 75 countries and yet it doesn’t have a permanent secretariat yet. It doesn’t have one dollar of funding. And there are other issues that we feel really need to be reformed, such as improving the decision-making process, set a defining standard, improving the practices on peer review and so on at the heart of the KP – all of these reforms will need governments to stand up and be counted in order to be implemented.

Blood diamonds or conflict diamonds – the term generally refers to diamonds that are used to fuel conflicts, even fund conflicts – and sounds quite dramatic. Give us some sense of exactly the nature of oppression or violence that’s unleashed on people who are caught up in these sorts of situations.

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:  Thousands in Sierra Leone suffered amputations during the country’s civil war
Well you’ve taken a very interesting question here actually, because the definition of conflict diamonds themselves can be quite problematic.

The classical definition that the Kimberley Process uses is diamonds that are used by rebel groups to fuel armed conflicts against legitimate governments. That’s the kind of thing we saw for example in Sierra Leone, where rebel groups were forcing local communities to mine for diamonds in order to buy more arms. We saw terrible abuse against local people: murders, amputations and so on. The issues we’re seeing today, for example in Zimbabwe, are slightly different because here we’re talking not about rebel groups forcing people to mine and abusing people but actually government groups, the armed forces, even police, who are committing many of the same acts: forced labor, rape, murder, beatings of local people, but this time not by a rebel group but by a recognized government force.

 Which leads us back to the Charles Taylor trial. Some experts have said that the scope of this trial goes far beyond the Taylor case itself and the appearance or not of a star like Naomi Campbell, but it takes us to the issue of heads of state abusing their citizens, and that these leaders could later find themselves in the dock over the issue.

 Yes, absolutely. I think that the Charles Taylor trial is quite trailblazing in this way, it will send a message – a very strong message – to leaders of countries that, actually, this kind of behavior will not be tolerated by the international community. That we will come after them, as it were, to hold them accountable for any abuse committed against their citizens. And I think that’s a very positive and strong message to be sending out at this time.

Each and every one of us, I mean believers of our Christian faith believe that God’s time is the best and that He acts and moves not only in an inexplicable way but at His own appointed time and space. The war in Sierra Leone has ended for almost eight years yet we are begining to see answers to our prayers; we prayed for better or improved standard of living, education, good health for the war-affected amputees and judgement on those that cause their afflictions. Today January 11th 2010, the key indictee-Charles G. Taylor for the war crimes committed against the thousands of children, women and men in Sierra Leone continue his testimony at the Hague. The acting Prosecutor of the special court in Sierra Leone commented on the length of time and evidence remaining to conclude the trail. Acting Prosecutor– Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara told the press that the end date for the trial is imminent.

According to a local newspaper in Kenema town–Southern part of Sierra Leone (see photo above) amputees are standing in line to witness the launching of the War Victims Trust Fund.
Saffa Moriba reports:

The Government of Sierra Leone Reparations program in collaboration with the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) has launched the War Victims Trust Fund on Saturday December 5th 2009 at the Hoy Trinity Parish hall along Blama Road in Kenema City with the theme:  Be a proud and sympathetic contributor. Help create a bright and secure future for our war-affected population.
Speaking at the ceremony the chairman of the Amputees and War Wounded Association Kenema district Dominic Brima said God destines their plight and he therefore called on his colleagues to accept their status at all time. Adding there is no compensation for their plight. He thanked the government of Sierra Leone, NaCSA and other International humanitarian organizations for their assistance to the war victims in the past and present times.  He also thanked the Paramount Chief of Nongowa Chiefdom PC Amara Bonya Vangahun for providing land for the war victim in his Chiefdom that is now hosting over 50 houses that was build by Norwegian Refugee Council.  He says about 571 houses have been build nationwide for war affected persons.  He appealed to all Sierra Leoneans working in the nation to deduct some portion of their salary for a month for the Trust Fund adding it will go a long way in improving on their status.
In his speech, the Regional NaCSA boss Moses Gboma said the symbolic reparation exercise will benefit every part of the nation, adding NaCSA has played a role in achieving durable peace gearing towards support for war victims.  He revealed that the War Victims Fund is a government’s baby that hopes to heal the wounds of badly affected war victims. He said the account for the Trust Fund is now open to the public at the Rokel Commercial Bank. .
He also disclosed that the President Dr. Earnest Bai Koroma is launching a similar War Victims Fund in Freetown.
In his contribution, the Paramount Chief of Nongowa Chiefdom PC Amara Bonya Vangahun said as a traditional ruler they are mother and father for everybody and therefore he will continue to give his fullest support. He appealed to all and sundry not to use any provocative words against the victims of the war as no one is above the time of becoming a disabled person.  He appealed to well meaning Sierra Leoneans to write projects on behalf of the war wounded as part of the Trust Fund. 
The ceremony was chaired by the Deputy Director of Education East John Amara Swaray who earlier in his opening statement described every Sierra Leonean as a war victim because everybody suffered in one way or the other but the degree at which people suffered must be considered greatly.
Mr. F.M.Jibba formally launched the Trust Fund from the provincial administration who represented the Resident Minister East Hon. William Juana Smith.
The following Account numbers were announced to the public for donations at the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank.  1722294 Account number 01-1133388 Account number.

Even though the United States joined the celebration of Christmas most recently compared to other parts of the world yet she contributes very huge to telling the story of the birth of Christ child. Yes, Sunday Schools in the United States began Christmas Celebration in the early 19th century. Alabama became the first state to grant legal recognition to X-Mas in 1836,  D C in 1870, by 1893 all states and territories had recognized the celebration of Christmas in the  U. S.  Thanks to the Roman Catholic faith that began the commemoration of the birth of Christ Child–Dec. 25th. Certainly the holiest event ever to take place anywhere on planet earth.

To date, many Americans if not all remember the Magi who travelled the east of Jerusalem to greet the babe in the manger with gift of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Magi were wise men and their gifts were symbolic of tribute, worship and death–of Christ considered as King, God and the Sacrificial victim.

As we continue the great good of Christmas–love, gift-giving, merry-making, family and friends coming together, tinsel and brightly decorated packages; please let us remember the very poor, the most vulnerable–the War-Affected Amputees in developing countries need your prayers and support.

Sierra Care’s 2^nd Annual Fundraising dinner and dance held at the famous Clarion hotel in Dallas, Texas on Saturday, 24^th October 2009, was simply one of sophistication and elegance. Most of the top guns in the community assembled under the big tent to pour select wines for Texan wine lovers and to give hope to the hopeless and voice to the voiceless. The event was met with sunny and clear skies all weekend and was well attended.

The Chairman of the Occasion was Dr David Capper, who is one of the finest palliative care doctors in Texas. In his remarks, he admonished all to follow in the footsteps of Sierra Care members in making a difference to humanity. The Guest Speaker, a Sierra Leonean by birth and a medical doctor by profession, Dr Ernest Kamara commended the gathering for taking the first step in providing the much-needed resources to a reliable and committed organization like Sierra Care. “We need to assist people through their recovery. We need to help them feed their children, clothe themselves, seek employment and grow to become more productive in the growth and re-establishment of their country. But, more importantly, we need to show the world, that it will take much more than “a long sleeve, or a short sleeve” to harm the soul of a God-fearing people.” he concluded.

The beautiful and picturesque banquet hall at the Clarion hotel was the perfect setting for a sensory food and wine experience highlighted by delicious food selections prepared by Project Director and Chef, Mrs.Letticia Brown and, of course, award winning Texan wines. The entire evening was a busy one, but it was great chatting about love for humanity and the needy with all who turned out. Just about everyone that attended had a genuine appreciation for the cause of the event and the selflessness of its members.

Guests had something positive to say about the event from “delicious food”, “beautiful place”, “great music”, “one of the best events in the African community I have ever attended”, “smooth operation”, etc. You get the point, friends. For a 2^nd annual event, this dinner and dance knocked the cork out of the park. To put it simply, this was a classy event - it showed in the cheerful givers and the eager philanthropists. It showed in the wine swirling and sipping wine enthusiasts that I had the pleasure of interacting with and pouring for during the evening. To give the guests added value of their time, internationally acclaimed stand-up comedians-Donald Nat-George aka Dandogo and Godfrey Manley-Spain Aka Pa Bongo were reunited to charm the occasion. Other renditions include Maxina Kroma who sang the U. S. national anthem, Daniel and Amy Jordan both are members of the Scofield Church Choir did a duet on “I can only imagine”.  The Masters of Ceremony were Ben Miller and Ngozi Akolam.

Ticket sales for this event were non-existent to allow well-wishers the opportunity to pour out their heart desires for the amputees. Sierra Care Board and guests members wanted their guests to enjoy their time and wine as they cater to the needs of the amputees. Based on public opinion from happy patrons and sponsors, Sierra Care did a remarkable job in highlighting the needs of the amputees - their stories, hopes and dreams and even the little known secrets. Those who attended this event thoroughly enjoyed every minute and sip of it.

Please click on the link-2nd annual fundraising to view pictures.

EASTERN PADDLE

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Alhaji Jaka, Mrs. Sia Koroma, David Kessebeh

In her own words, Mrs. Koroma applauded the strides that Sierra Care has taken to alleviate the agony and pains of amputees in Sierra Leone over the years. “ I am impressed at the work the organization is doing and I encourage you to do more in order to make life meaningful for them” She went on further to say that, “My heart is a hundred percent behind you because this group of war victims is the most vulnerable in our society today”.

Over the years, whilst some First Ladies in Sierra Leone have been dormant, others held a highly visible yet undefined position in government. Based on the several projects and activities that we have seen Mrs. Sia Koroma undertakes, it is obvious to all and sundry that she has chosen to fulfill this unique role in a way that will impact the average man on the street even long after she is gone. It was no brainteaser when she hastily opens her heart to Sierra Care Incorporation.
The role of the first lady has evolved from fashion trendsetter and hostess of State House dinners to a more substantive position. While there have been diverging views on the roles of women in society, Mrs. Koroma is an effective advocate for social causes in Sierra Leone and clearly a role model for Sierra Leonean women.

Through her uncompromising endeavor and determination to give a voice to the amputees and war-wounded in Sierra Leone, the President of the association based in Freetown, Alhaji Jusu-Jaka, was immediately scheduled to meet with Dr. Ernest Bai-Koroma, President of the Sierra Leone soon - A case in point demonstrating her readiness to walk the talk.

Following this successful meeting with the First Lady was a donation of two soccer kits and a ball to the Amputee camp in Aberdeen. In attendance was the Press Secretary to the First Lady, Mr. Ayodele Cukobi Johnson, Alhaji Jusu Jaka and residents of the camp. In his address to the amputees, Mr. David Kessebeh reassured them that even if others have forgotten about their misery, Sierra Care would not forget them. He also made it understandable to them that the long-term goal of Sierra Care is to establish an occupational institution in the camp that will allow them to be industrious citizens once again. “ Now that the First Lady is ready to throw her support behind the organization, Sierra Care will continue to push beyond the almost ten thousand amputees whose lives it has touched.

In a similar development, Sierra Care added a feather to its management team on Sunday July 19th, 2009 when Mrs. Florence Kroma was unanimously elected as Acting Chairlady (Vice Chairlady) of the organization during the boards general election.. Mrs. Kroma, the eldest daughter of Mr. E.T. Kamara, former Secretary-General of the All People’s Congress Party, is married and blessed with four beautiful girls. She is presently the Administrator and Director of Nursing for MT. Zion Home Health Agency in Texas. She holds a Bachelor in Science (Nursing) and an MBA degree. The ebullient Florence Kroma is an accomplished prayer woman whose tenacity though tampered with modesty and love for Sierra Leone will help take Sierra Care to another level.

Mrs. Kroma (center) newly elected Chairlady
During her acceptance speech, Mrs. Kroma noted how pleased she was on the confidence the board had on her ability and stewardship but most importantly on the fact that she will use Sierra Care as a platform upon which her vast experience of navigating the cause of the helpless will be harnessed to its fullest potential.

By Christian Foday Sesay Jr. PV Correspondent, Texas.

Saturday, May 2nd 2009, marked a representational high point in the partnership between the Dallas Chapter of the American Red Cross and Sierra Care Incorporation, a non-profit organization based in Dallas whose primary goal is to help war amputees in Sierra Leone and other war affected areas for the right reasons.

This relationship was taken a step further when an intensive hands-on classroom training opportunity was provided for Sierra Care members and volunteers to learn how to conduct safe and effective disaster relief operations.

This humanitarian-driven event which took place between the hours of 8 am and 2 pm at the American Red Cross main office located in Dallas will become useful for Sierra Leoneans and others living around the natural disaster prone Dallas areas in the days lying ahead.

In all, about 14 Sierra Care members including Mr. David Kessebeh, Executive Director, Sierra Care Incorporation and Mrs. Nanette Thomas, the All People’s Congress Party Chairlady, Dallas Chapter, attended this valuable training session which lasted for almost six hours. In his opening remarks, the training instructor, Dr. Will Williams, welcomed Sierra Care participants and admonished all regarding the significance of such volunteering venture.

 He went on to say that the occurrence which had helped reshape his positive dedication to the Red Cross was the assistance rendered to him by the Red Cross during a fire outbreak in which he was a victim.

“From that point, I became deeply involved in the organization”, he concluded.

The training was centered on three main courses: Fulfilling our mission, Overview of Mass Care and Shelter Operations. Issues such as the core values of the Red Cross, Sponsorship and accountability within the organization, the need for assistance in our localities, responsibilities of volunteers, and the nuts and bolts of shelter operation management to volunteer-client relationships were widely addressed.

For over 100 years, the Dallas Area Chapter of the American Red Cross has offered training in CPR, First Aid, water safety, disaster preparedness, nursing and health.

With a proven record of success, American Red Cross programs reflect the most recent changes in health and safety. Thus, it was befitting and laudable for Sierra Care to join the bandwagon of organizations that have been served by this noble institution.

This thorough training recreates the challenges and conditions humanitarian operators encounter in the real world. Past participants have included students and practitioners in emergency management, humanitarian assistance, post-conflict reconstruction, stability and peace-building.

With this partnership, Sierra Care volunteers will help deliver hope, compassion and comfort to their neighbors in times of trouble thereby ensuring that their communities become safer places to live.

By Christian F. Sesay Jr., PV Correspondent, Texas.

The importance of community volunteer service was accentuated on Wednesday, 8th April 2009, when Sierra Care Incorporation, a non- profit organization based in Dallas signed an agreement with the Dallas Chapter of the American Red Cross to help during periods of emergency relief. According to the agreement, Sierra Care is designated to function under the American Red Cross banner of “Ready when the time comes” (RWTC) volunteer group.

According to Mr. David Kessebeh, Executive Director, Sierra Care, the purpose of this partnership is to assist the American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter in preparing for and responding to major disaster relief operations. In the agreement, a major disaster is defined as an occurrence such as a tornado, storm, flood, high water, earthquake, blizzard, explosion, building collapse, commercial transportation accident, or another situation that causes human suffering or creates human needs that victims cannot alleviate without assistance. In the event of any of these, Sierra Care will be expected to provide relief activities and services to the community as a whole such as sheltering, feeding, bulk distribution of items and information about the availability of these services, as well as recovery information.

In the statement of understanding , the American Red Cross will undertake the following functions:

1. Assist Sierra Care Inc. in recruiting participant volunteers;

2. Provide disaster training, in advance , to those volunteers;

3. Initiate the call for Sierra Care inc. volunteers as needed for a major disaster relief operation;

4. Help manage Sierra Care volunteers in their assigned functions while on assignment;

5. Assign volunteers in areas as close as possible to the areas in which they live or work;

6. Publicly acknowledge Suerra Care Inc. as a RWTC Community Partner in its publicity materials and press.

Sierra Care in return will:

1. Coordinate with the American Red Cross-Dallas Chapter to designate a time and location for the volunteers to be trained;

2. Designate a primary and secondary RWTC Coordinator who will maintain RWTC participant list and to whom requests for volunteers will be made;

3. Respond to request for Sierra Care deployment within(24) twenty-fours and provide available participant volunteers for relief work;

4. Allow Sierra Care volunteers to participate as available in up to two major disaster operations or mock disaster preparedness drills per year.

Due to the signing of this very important partnership agreement, Sierra Care will be partaking in the next Ready when the time come (RWTC) training session which will take place on the 2nd may, 2009 at the American Red Cross office located at 4800 Harry Hines Blvd in Dallas at 8am to 4 pm.

In the words of Mr. Kessebeh, “Unto whom much is given, much is expected” He went on further to explain that Sierra Care is able to assist war amputees in developing countries because residents of Dallas and its surrounding cities made it possible. Therefore, one way that Sierra Care can show its depth of gratitude is by volunteering to assist residents of the Dallas community in the event of a disaster.

The positive leadership of Sierra Care recognizes that the Sierra Leonean community has a need for a wide range of experiences and positive relationships with other organizations to be deemed as productive residents. Community service is important because it teaches us the importance of unselfish giving. Through community service we can learn new skills while becoming more aware of the needs of others, and ultimately gain a stronger sense of community

To this end, Mr Kessebeh is calling on all Sierra Leoneans to volunteer their time and services on Saturday, 2nd May, 2009 during the forth coming training session in ensuring that the partnership started between Sierra Care and the American Red Cross becomes the envy of our community.

Contact information will be accessed through Sierra Care’s website: www.sierracare.org

Photos: David Kessebeh in Sierra Leone.

Many of you have been following the stories we tell about the eleven years civil war in Sierra Leone, West Africa and its devastating outcome to the innocent people and their communities. Sierra Care is incorporated as a public Charity to respond to the needs of the war-wounded and amputees in developing countries. Our goal is to bring comfort, give hope and restore the human dignity to victims of civil wars. Therefore, every year particularly during the festive season we send our staff to the remote amputee camps in Sierra Leone to provide food, pray with them, listen to their stories, give counseling and above all strengthen their faith in our great God. In December 2008, Sierra Care Executive Director-David Kessebeh flew to Sierra Leone teamed-up with the Great Commission/Campus Crusade -SL.  Our journey began to the southern district of Bo–she seats six amputee camps. The four hundred and fifty miles drive lasted for six hours. Upon arriving at our central meeting point, Mattru-on-the-Rail Amputee Camp, the war-wounded, amputees and their families were very skeptical about our mission. Why? We did not disclose the details of our trip. We want to give them a surprise Christmas gift, the gift of love, sharing the good news of our Savior-Jesus Christ and generosity. However, our warm greetings, unloading the fifty kilograms bags of rice transformed the doubtful looks into a celebratory congregation. The Rev. Bobson Kargbo-a Campus Crusade staffer said the opening prayers, followed by songs of praise, personal testimonies and words of encouragement.  Rev. Kargbo challenged the war-wounded and amputees to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Our team mingled with the attendees and supervised the bags of rice distribution to the various families-about three hundred and forty-five war-wounded, amputees and dependants were provided for.

We arrived in Kenema district–eastern part of Sierra Leone on the 23rd day of December 2008 at the Norway Amputee Camp-about fifty miles from Kenema town. Kenema has six camps within her geographic boundaries. As stated inter alia we intend to give the amputees a Christmas surprise. Same perceptions to that of the Bo district amputees “people always come to us with promises and give us nothing”. The aforesaid will obviously usher in doubts even to good intentions. Eventually, the war-wounded, amputees and their dependants saw our goodwill. About two hundred and thirty of them attended the festive gathering. The head of Camp Norway called the gathering to order with their native song and the awesome response was very affecting, followed by prayers, personal testimonies, songs of praise and the opportunity to meet and greet every attendee.  Our team supervised the distribution of bags of rice to the amputees.

Our final stop was the Northern district headquarter town of Makeni, which holds six amputee camps in its surroundings. About five hundred and fifty-one war-wounded, amputees and family members registered and attended the festive gathering at the Panlap Amputee Camp on the eve of Christmas-approx. five miles from Makeni town.  Our objective is to renew the love of Jesus Christ to these vulnerable victims of a senseless war. We do so with great compassion. Plenty singing from the natives, prayers, individual stories of the war and their new sense of hope. The Campus Crusade team and I help to strengthen that hope as stipulated in the scriptures. Paul was a great example to the Corinthians. 2 Corinthians 6.

What they said?

“Sierra Care is one of the few organizations to visit us and provide food especially during the Christmas season”. The amputees sang songs of hope and thank God that they live to enjoy the greatness of God. Some of the amputees pointed out to the folks that amputated them-many have died from drug over dose, some are in a mental hospital. They appreciate the glory of God, yes, they do not have a hand/s or a feet/s but they have come to know and embraced the almighty God through their tragedy.

Their Message to you.

The war-wounded, amputees and family members have asked me to thank you so much for the big heart you have, your sense of giving to the very poor. You have made the 2008 Christmas a memorable one for the amputees. You sent us there; you provided the bags of rice to them-thank you. Their needs are huge. They are making efforts with subsistence farming, which of course is insufficient to feed them year round. Medical facilities, drugs and care are the most difficult challenges they are facing even as I write this article—they have asked for your prayers.

Please take some time to visit our picture page to see more 2008 outreach pictures, watch the video and see first hand what these innocent children, women and men went through during the fighting.