By Tony Bee, Sydney, Australia.
Sierra Leoneans in Australia are extremely doing well in promoting their community and the country as a whole, especially in terms of social and economic activities.
In social activities, the key players of such a role are the community’s youths through their organisation, the Sierra Leone Youths Group (SLYG). They are always working tirelessly in trying to bring all Sierra Leoneans together both young and old in the community in Australia, especially in Sydney. They are always organizing events in many different ways, including soccer, music and other forms of cultural entertainment.
In terms of economic activities they are very hard working and helpful to one another providing support both financial and moral support to individual Sierra Leoneans, particularly during difficult times, especially at a time of serious sickness and bereavement of any individual Sierra Leonean family through contributions.
Also, through their hard working efforts and love for their country, Sierra Leoneans in Australia are always happy and willing to give support towards the development of their country of origin from their adopted country, Australia. They usually come together to ship very large numbers of containers, especially this year when the country was declared Ebola-free with differing donations ranging from electronics, bicycles, clothing, medical and other items to the country. About 30 forty-feet containers were shipped to Sierra Leone this year alone by Sierra Leoneans both individually and in groups in Australia.
Sierra Leonean youths in Australia, especially Sydney, are very sober minded in terms of promoting their community and the country in Australia especially the SLYG youths who are always trying to bring and promote peace, love, unity and progress in the community in many different ways, for instance by traveling throughout the length and breadth of Australia to engage their brothers and sisters in diverse ways, including consultative meetings, music, soccer, cultural shows in the various States. In view of such a mature focus of the Sierra Leone community youths; it’s very rare for them to be in conflict with the laws of Australia.
This writer had a chat with one of the most outstanding youths of SLYG, Murray Kamara, aka Agba, who is the secretary of this youth organisation in Sydney during their “Diamond Achievements Award’s Night” on the 13th of December 2015 (see photos).
When asked to explain briefly the purpose of forming such an organisation in the community and what the award’s night was about, Murray said the Sierra Leone Youths Group (SLYG) is dedicated to promoting the well being of the Sierra Leone community in Australian society.
The organisation, he said, has helped to showcase the culture and talents of Sierra Leoneans in the Australian multicultural community adding that that SLYG was formed to bring the community members together as brothers and sisters, regardless of where the individual came from in the country and to also engage their fellow youths into proactive activities that will divert their attention from street life.
He said some of the purposes of the Diamond Achievement’s Award Night were to recognise outstanding community members who have done very good work towards the development of the community with great commitment and dedication.
It is also to attract and encourage those Sierra Leoneans who have not been involved or doing much in terms of community development and its promotion to get involved and redouble their efforts in order to gain such a highly respected outstanding recognition within the community, Murray explained.
Sierra Leonean musician Frederick aka Famous.
When further asked about the criteria that they are normally using to determine who is fit or qualified to receive an award Murray said they have specific areas and qualities of interest they are always looking out for: any member of the community could be nominated for those areas and qualities individual may have acquired, achieved or possessed, particularly in terms of attitude and behaviour towards the community’s development and promotion.
He also pointed out that to receive a community outstanding leadership award, they would have to assess the individual’s contribution towards the community, capacity building strength and the individual’s personal achievements.
Murray further stated that they also look a the individual’s character in the community, ability and work experience and how such experience would serve as an inspirational indicator in solving the community issues that would create a better future for Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora.
The young community leader also listed some key elements that could merit an award such as passion for community work, humanity, leadership, integrity, strength, determination and general contribution to the community.
In order for SLYG youths to make the award’s night more attractive, enjoyable and colourful to members of the community and to those from other states, they brought some very good Sierra Leonean musicians from Sierra Leone, including Vida Green and Fredrick Peters aka Famous to support their brothers and sisters community local artists, musicians and other Australian entertaining groups to make the celebration more lively.
Among the historical Diamond Achievements Award’s night winners of various areas were Mr. Abu Bakarr Gamanga, as the father of the community for 2015, Madam Haja Tigdanky Daramy, the mother of the year for 2015 and many other outstanding awards including academic awards to young Sierra Leoneans who did extremely well in pursuing their education on to university level in Australia, particularly young girls and women who excel in their academic undertakings.
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