2008 Bo American Corner Reports
American Corner Report for September 2008
The IRC Director conducted a program on 2008 US Elections at the Bo American Corner. 45 people attended the session including library patrons and the general public. The videos, “Biography of the Barack Obama” (60 mins) and “Biography of John McCain” (60 mins) were screened. Following the videos, the IRC Director did PowerPoint presentations on the US electoral system and the Electoral College.
The 3 hour program was well attended. Participants showed a lot of interest in the US electoral system and took part in a lively discussion after the presentations. A main concept of interest was the difference between the Electoral College votes and the popular votes in the election of the US president. Several radio stations and newspapers also covered the program, and broadcast it in the local news.
American Corner report for the period: April - June, 2008
A total number of 878 visitors used the Corner. Five programs were organized during this period with a total of 236 guests in attendance. A number of high profile people in the community visited the Corner to acquaint themselves with the programs in the Corner. Also, the Regional Educational Advisor, the Acting Public Affairs Officer and visiting speaker Jane Kirtley visited the Corner and conducted a Speaker program.
Sierra Leone’s Independence Celebration
April 27 – The AC staff organized a lecture to commemorate the 47th Anniversary of Sierra Leone’s Independence. Dr. Wusu Sannoh, Mayor of the City of Bo chaired the program while Mr. Andrew Johnson, vice Principal and Head of Department Education, Eastern Poly-technique gave a lecture on the topic: “Declaration of 47 years of independence: Achievements, problems and challenges” The general public was invited and the program was covered by both the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service (SLBS) and FM KISS 104 Radio stations.
The Day of the African Child
June 16 - AC staff organized a literary program for primary school children aged 10- 15 years. Six primary schools were invited as follows Awarda , Sir Milton Margai, Seventh Day Adventist, Ahmadiyya, Sierra Leone church and Methodist. Each school sent a representation of 4 pupils and a teacher. Each pupil was allowed 10 minutes to tell a story of his/her choice and / or to read a poem. The program was climaxed by a film show titled ‘The Sharpeville Massacre.
“American Hour” Meetings with High School Students
June 20 and June 27– “American Hour” meetings with High School Students at the AC. For each session of the above program, five secondary schools were invited namely: Christ the King College, Bo Government School, Awarda, Methodist and Commercial. Each school brought along 4 students and a History Teacher. During the 4-hour program, highlights of the following films were shown followed by relevant discussions. The Films shown were: The discovering of America (New World), History of American people, American Revolution (1763-1815) and the new nation, civil war and reconstruction (1860-1877) and American civil Rights movements.
Black History Month Program (February 20 -22, 2008)
On February 21, 2008, the Information Resource Center (IRC) Director, James B. Taylor in collaboration with the staff of the Bo Regional Library (American Corner) celebrated Black History Month with a film show. The film, “African-American Lives” by Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., a two-part series lasting four hours was screened, with two hour showings apart in the morning and afternoon. About 35 participants including high school students and the general public attended the program. Each screening was followed by a lively question and answer session during which some viewers received book prizes for their contributions. Viewers commented on the clarity and sequential presentation of the films which left an impression on their minds.
The program was very successful and viewers expressed interest in viewing a sequel, if available, to complement what they have already learned. The program was covered by the media which presented a full program on the celebration on radio. One of the viewers remarked, “If African-Americans can reconcile with Whites after the bitter experience of slavery, then we as Sierra Leoneans can learn from that to live peaceably after our ten-year civil war.”
The previous day, the Embassy’s Educational Advisor, Mrs. Avril Rowe conducted an open educational advising session about studying in the United States. More than 80 students turned up for the 90-minute session which was very educative. For most of them it was their first window through which they viewed opportunities about studying in the United States of America.
The IRC donated monthly periodicals, magazines and books about African American history to the Bo library American Corner.