United States Embassy Opens Second American Corner in Kissy

David Satenstein | 1/28/2010

Freetown
Contact: PAO Danna Van Brandt
Tel: 022-515-000 or 076-515-000 

Ambassador Martin Cheshes, of the U.S. Embassy, on Tuesday, January 26 opened the brand new American Corner in the Kissy Public Library.  The Ambassador inaugurated the Corner, which has been stocked with computers with internet, books, magazines, newspapers and other materials, all available for the people of Kissy.  The Embassy first established its relationship with the Kissy Library several years ago, when it placed a consignment of books in an “American Shelf,” including materials about the United States and the world in general.  This launching signifies an expansion of that relationship, and marks the first of many donations, programs, and collaborative efforts between the Embassy and the Kissy Library.

The American Corner at Kissy is the second American Corner to be opened in Sierra Leone.  The first, at the Bo Library, was opened in 2005, and just this month received an upgrade of its computers, books, and other materials.  In addition to the two Corners, the Embassy operates and “American Shelf” at Fourah Bay College Library, and has plans to open a new shelf in the provinces this year.  The American Corners program thrives in Sierra Leone because of the positive and regular collaboration and communication between the U.S. Embassy and the Sierra Leone Library Board.

The fundamental function of the American Corner is to make information about the U.S. available to the Sierra Leonean public.  This year, the American Government provided nearly $40,000 to fund the Kissy and Bo American Corners and the American Shelves throughout Sierra Leone.  The American Corner is just one of many ways the United States Embassy demonstrates its commitment to education and development in Sierra Leone.