Sierra Leone activism at Florida State University lecture
The Multicultural Greek Council held a seminar entitled “Freetown: Child Soldiers in Sierra Leone” on Feb. 22. Room 203 of the Student Services Building filled nearly to capacity with the Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority, FSU NAACP, Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity and other student bodies.
The war in Sierra Leone lasted 11 years and its aftermath left the country with many dismembered citizens and child soldiers. Many lost hands, arms and legs. Others were killed. At the beginning of the seminar NAACP member Troy Jones provided a visual presentation to help the attendees understand what it is like to lose a limb.
“Without hands you can’t clap, without legs you can’t walk; you can basically do nothing, and without arms you can’t put on a shirt,” said Jones.
An Introduction to Sierra Leone gave background on the country and the devastation it has gone through. Introducing this information was the Chair of Sigma Lambda Gamma, Tatiana Echevarria.
“I think people should become more knowledgeable about Sierra Leone, there are so many families that have been disassembled by the situation,” said Echevarria. “Lost parents, lost children, lost homes; I think people should go online and get informed, talk to anyone in Sigma Lambda Gamma, FSU’s NAACP, Phi Iota and other relief organizations.”
The President of Phi Iota, Anthony Fabre’, also spoke on the same subject.
“People don’t know much about it; I think that after having this seminar it helps others to know a little bit more about it,” Fabre’ said. “And to help, people should go out there and help just by donating to causes.”
“Getting an idea is like sitting on a pin, you just have to get up and do something,” said guest speaker Francis Moe Roberts, a native of Sierra Leone and graduate of the FSU Law School.
During his time at FSU he visited Sierra Leone after 11 years of being away. It changed his life.
On the trip, he provided baby clothing to expecting mothers and mothers who had just given birth, gave children toys and clothing and even donated a scholarship to students who could not afford to go to school.
He presented a slide show of the work he did, showing his effort through his photos of family visits and himself playing with children.
“I was a student just like you guys, and I need you to help me with this fight,” said Roberts. “You may not see yourself as heroes but you are seen as heroes to the people of Sierra Leone. Just for 20 dollars you can send a child to school for a year.”
He reaches out to Sierra Leone and the city of Freetown, and he wants Florida State to join him.
For more information on Sierra Leone and donations, contact the organizations below.
NAACP
www.sga.fsu.edu/organizations/NAACP
Sigma Lambda Gamma
Phi Iota Alpha
Francis Moe Roberts
Email: diaka7850@yahoo.com
Number: (850) 322-1305
