Message from the Desk of the President 

-Elevating the Unity of the Community to New Heights-

Let me start by thanking you for the time you take to read this annual report and to start with my welcome message. 

As your son, your brother and Friend, I want to express my profound delight and gratitude to be elected overwhelmingly to serve you for the past one year. I want to thank you deeply for your outpouring of well wishes and support when the new executive of the association was inaugurated on December 31 2023. 

A remarkable year of bringing the community together:

 Since taking over the reign of leadership of this noble association, I have spared no seconds, minutes, hours, days and months in working very hard to bring to reality my campaigns’ commitments on which I was elected to serve the entire community. I am grateful for this position and I do not take it lightly. I have seen the passion, enthusiasm and the vote of confidence placed on me during the massive turn out to witness the inauguration of the new executive. The joy and spirit ignited in me the motivation and willingness to serve you all, more than I have ever been, and for the spark of trust in my leadership. Let me hasten to express my deepest gratitude to all exectuvie members who have put thier foot on the gas pedal since we were elected to lead the community sinc e we were elected to lead the community. 

As president of SALNAM, I am grateful for caryying the torch of SALNAM, the torch that was lit over forty years and still is still burning.

The torch of SALNAM symbolizes the enduring nature of our community to continue to be relevant in touching the lives of every Sierra Leone residents in Manitoba. I would like to let all Sierra Leonean know that they are not alone and that the current executive members are willing to listen with an open mind and heart to help us all heal from strongholds within our community. 

A year of achievements worth celebrating: 

Over the past year, the current executive has put together various programs for our community to come together, mingled, learn, laugh, and welcome each other. The rest of the report will highlight the success of the various activities we implemented and the impact on our community for the last year. 

As the torch continues, the current executive will end this year on a high positive note with two special activities to mark this unique year. We will be holding a special Christmas party for all kids in the Sierra Leonean community on December 16th and on for the entire community on December 31st to give parting gifts to a year that has brought us together in ways that truly reflect our national values and spirits of love, unity, peace and prosperity. 

As we end this year, the executive members are grateful to the entire members of the community that open their doors for in-person visitations and phone calls from the the SALNAM executive. We believed this is the way of theraphy for all of us to stay connected and be thankful of each other. 

Stay blessed.

Caring for our growing senior and elderly population 

In March 2023, the first of its kind after years, the executive hosted the senior social event. Substantial number of the community’s seniors graced the event. A representative from Canada Revenue Agency delivered a useful and informative session on aspects of retirement benefits that seniors should be aware of and how to access their benefit porfolios. Another representative was from the Winnipeg Police Services. The session focused on issues of fraud prevention, the growing menace of cyberattacks, and the risks posed to personal identity theft. A representative of the African communities of Manitoba Inc (ACOMI) participated in the successful hosting of the session and ACOMI contributed financial support.

Special Award Ceremony for personalities with outstanding contributions 

As the first of its kind in the history of SALNAM, an event to recognize and pay tributes to community members who have contribute to the founding and growth of the association was organized., The SALNAM award committee launched a plea for nominations of deserving individuals on various established criteria to ensure transparency and integrity in the selection process. Award certificates for various price categories were given. Participant feedback attested to the importance of hosting such an important initiative, which many see as the right step to renew community spirits of volunteerism.

Lifting the image of Sierra Leone’s heritage and culture in Folklorama

 This year’s folklorama event for the African pavilion was a shining example of the Sierra Leonean community’s success in showcasing the Sierra Leonean’s rich cultural heritage and Africa generally. In the week-long series of cultural activities in August, our young proud Sierra Leonean cultural dancers displayed amazing cultural performances at the stage that shone the beauty of art and culture of the motherland.

Our Special Thanks to our Keynote Speaker on the 62nd Sierra Leone Independence ceremoncy, Mr. Simion Ganda.

I have been asked to give the keynote address on the celebration of our 62nd Independence Celebration. And we are also celebrating the 52nd Anniversary of being a Republic. The question I would endeavour to answer is “What Can Diaspora Do to Help Sierra Leone Develop”. i I am here to show us how we, as ordinary 72 hours bi-weekly workers, in the diaspora can contribute to the development of Sierra Leone.

The first thing we should do above everything, is show patriotism towards Sierra Leone. What is Patriotism or how can I be more patriotic than I already am? You may ask. I know we all profess to “Love We Sa Lone”; but by PATRIOTIC I mean we have to DEMONSTRATE our Love for Sa Lone not just SAY IT. Going beyond verbal utterances to actively demonstrating our Love for Sierra Leone will help our country immensely The second thing we can do is to help, in our own little way, in the development of key institutions in Sierra Leone is by sharing our knowledge and most especially our work ethics from the West. We all know that one of the key things hampering development in Sierra Leone is professionalism or lack thereof exhibited by employers and employees. Finally, and the most important way for us in the diaspora to help our country Sierra Leone, is by working together, in Unity with others wherever we are. Our elders say, “Wan finger nor dae pick los” (A single finger can not pick lice). It is always better to work as a group to promote development activities back home.

Acknowledgments

Our existence and success as SALNAM depend largely on the invaluable moral, financial and other forms of supports in diverse ways that have enable us implement various programs and acrivities for the year. 

Special mention of thanks to the following institutions: Province of Manitoba Grant for Sports, Culture and Heritage Canada Federal Heritage Grant for Canada Day Celebrations African Community of Manitoba Manitoba African Cup of Nations Black Business Initiative (BBI-SBCCI).

Our community members who have paid their full annual membership dues deserve special mention. Mr. Mohamed Koroma Ms. Mariama Sessay Mr. Haroona Amara Mrs. Menuna Marah Ms. Frances Thomas Ms. Mayeteh Koroma Mr. Ahmad Bangura Ms. Sinnah Koroma Mrs. Zainab Sesay Mr. Allieu Sesay Ms. Theresa Kargbo Ms. Martha Koroma Mrs. Tendai Koroma SALNAM Annu

Conclusion

Designed and Produced by Amadu Sidi Bah 

Editorial assistance Moe Koroma 

Financial Report Compiled by Mrs H. Tengbeh 

Photos contributors: Mrs. Margaret Konteh, Mr Moe Koroma 

Final Design make-overs from TIA JASMIN CO. Website tiajsamin.com