Commentary
By Felix Sesay, Virginia, USA.
My perception of Black History month in the United States got a rude shock when I recently got an invitation from Trivens Abu Kargbo (first from left in photo), a Sierra Leonean native, to attend his Black History Month award ceremony in Montgomery county,Maryland, USA.
Prior to this invitation from my Bumbuna ( a town, in Tonkolili district, northern Sierra Leone) compatriot, I had always thought, this prestigious award was meant only for African-Americans with notable contributions to the advancement of the lives of African-Americans in the United States.
As I sat in a crowded hall in Montgomery county February 7, 2015, and intensely listened to Trivens’ contribution in the advancement of the lives of Americans in Montgomery County and to the people of Kalansogoia chiefdom, Bumbuna, in Sierra Leone , it quickly dawned on me that , Black History Month, in fact, has a Pan-Africanist orientation .
In recognition of Trivens Kargbo’s contribution nationally and internationally, he received the prestigious Montgomery County Black History Month Award entitled Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things.
This award is given to people who have unselfishly served the Montgomery County government and the community in the realms of equal employment opportunities, ,diversity ,serving targeted communities and improving service to the communities Montgomery County serves in a cultural and competent way.
Sitting in his office on January, 22, 2015, Mr. Kargbo had no idea that he had been selected to receive Montgomery County’s prestigious Black History Month Service Award, with two other employees, out of 10,000 county employees, when the notification came via email on his computer screen.
"How could this have happened? I am low profile man," was Mr. Kargbo’s first utterance after reading the shocking award notification from Montgomery County, EEO, Angela J, Washington.
What Mr. Trivens Abu Kargbo did not know prior to this award was that while he was professionally and diligently working for Montgomery County, his Immediate boss , Luann Korona (Chief of Community and Development Division ) and other top Montgomery officials were watching his activities nationally and internationally.
Kargbo was recognized for his tireless work in environmental reviews in partnership with other county agencies and non-profit partners that ensure the allocation of millions of US dollars for affordable housing efforts as they relate to review requirements.
Notwithstanding Kargbo’s undivided attention in carrying out his professional duties as Senior Planning Specialist for Montgomery County, his immediate boss ,Chief of Community and Development Division, Luana Korona, was stunned to realize that Kargbo also doubles as a soccer coach (United States certified ) working with 50 -80 youths in the community. He is also the President and founder the Pa Sorie Kargbo Foundation .
The award stated: "You are not only teaching them (youths) the sport, but good sportsmanship and values regarding work, commitment, goal setting and humility. Values they will take with them for a life time. You have also been active in humanitarian efforts in Sierra Leone, raising funds to provide scholarships for 20 students, every year. Your fund-raising efforts have benefited 300-500 students with text books , supplies and access to computers, printers and projectors where none were available."
Kargbo was also recognized for his fund- raising efforts in the wake of the Ebola Virus Disease rampage of his native country, Sierra Leone, that realized $ 3,500, that helped provide much needed medical supplies.
As if providing financial and medical supplies for his people was not enough, Trivens also contributed to coordinated international radio broadcasts to educate Sierra Leoneans about Ebola Virus disease and misconceptions about the disease.
The award concluded: "Your efforts remind people of the real individuals whose lives have been impacted by this devastating disease .Your passion and dedication not only educate people , but saves lives and enhance the lives of so many people and those works are simply immeasurable."
Trivens Abu Kargbo, a native was born in the town of Bumbuna, to Pa Sorie Kargbo and Ya Kaday Kargbo. As expected, during his acceptance speech, Kargbo paid glowing tribute to his parents ( both deceased) for making the sacrifice to enroll him in school. He stated:
" Even though my parents were not educated in Western Education , they had the foresight to realize that Western education was a gateway to opportunities,"
.Kargbo also profusely thanked Montgomery County employees for giving him the support he needed to attain the prestigious Montgomery Black History month award.
It is indeed an honour and privilege for Kargbo, to work for the county that has the highest number of residents with university degrees in the United States of America.
The ceremony was attended by friends of Trivens , family members including his devoted wife , Mrs. Zainab Kargbo , children , Alpha Sorie Kargbo , Trivens Kargbo , Junior , and lovely daughter ,Sabrina Kargbo . Bumbuna compatriot and Attitudinal and Behavioral change enthusiast, Daniel S.Turay, also graced the award ceremony.
Trivens Kargbo’s educational journey, after primary and secondary school, led to Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science Honours degree in Economics in 1991 , a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) , University of Wales-RDI, Britain (2010) , a Master of Science in Urban Planning , with distinction in dissertation work ,University of Wales , Cardiff , Britain, 1995 and a diploma in Housing and Planning , at ISH and Erasmus University Rotterdam ,Rotterdam , Netherlands, 1994.
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