2008 Kissy Library Shelf Report
Dr. Kiel, PAO Danna Van Brandt, Amb. Perry and Kissy Shelf Coordinator, Mrs. Sylvia kamara at the Kissy Library
American Shelf at Kissy Library (8 October 2008)
The IRC Director conducted a program on 2008 US Elections at the Kissy Library on October 8, 2008. About 50 people were in attendance at the session. Most of the participants were young High School students. The general public was also invited as Kissy is a vibrant community.
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 program was very lively and the discussions following the films were very well focused on the US electoral system. The Kissy Citizen radio covered the program, and broadcast it in the local news. IIP materials on the US Elections were distributed to participants.
American Shelf at Kissy Library (15 March 2008)
The American Shelf at Kissy Library hosted a lecture on Sierra Leonean music by Dr. Dyke Kiel of Cottey College in the United States. Dr. kiel is an American musicologist who specializes in the compositions of Nicholas Ballanta. The lecture was on the music of Nicholas Ballanta who happened to be from kissy.
The US Ambassador, June Carter Perry, Public Affairs Officer, Danna Van Brandt and the IRC Director James Taylor attended the program. About 40 people from the Kissy community attended the lecture. The 90 minute lecture was informative and provoked several interesting questions at the end.
Black History Month Film Show (4 February 2008)
The US Embassy (Public Affairs Section) in colloboration with the American Shelf Program at Kissy Library organized a film show to celebrate Black History Month. The film, "African American Lives," by Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr was shown to an audience of 40 people. Ambassador June Carter Perry gave the opening remarks. The film was well received and provoked a lot of meaningful interaction in the form of questions and comments.