SI MONTHLY NEWS APRIL 2007 Countries
From SI Exco News
Servas in Sierra Leone
Starting Servas in Sierra Leone has been very successful. Over 10 new members were recruited, screened and background checks perfectly done. Interviews were conducted followed by investigations based on individual information gathered for checks and balances. All references were contacted and they in turn responded in the affirmative.
This is good news for Sierra Leoneans and for Servas International. I am therefore pleased to inform you all, that at the last membership meeting held in Freetown on March 20, I was elected National Secretary for Sierra Leone Servas national group. In view of this, I wish to take this opportunity on behalf of our group to apply for membership of Servas International.
Visitors are welcome, and our hosts are more than happy with open minds, heart and hands to receive travellers.
Sierra Leone, slightly smaller than the state of South Carolina, is a West African country located between Guinea and Liberia. First, a Portuguese, then a British colony, Sierra Leone attained self-rule in 1961.
Sierra Leone reflects the diverse nature of the region with people from different tribal backgrounds. These differences can be seen in the traditional music and performances of local cultural groups. Come listen to the drums of the Temne or watch the dances of the Mende. See the fire-eaters or watch the " Mask Devils" dance.
Visitors are generally welcomed with friendliness as politeness is a shared value among Sierra Leone's people. Greetings, handshakes and courtesy are very important parts of this value which makes Sierra Leone's people so well liked by her visitors. This trademark politeness is given its credit in keeping things stable in the country through some tough times.
The people of Sierra Leone welcome visitors and are proud to show off their country. There are few social restrictions though sensitivity is suggested in the more rural areas. English is widely spoken in Freetown though Krio and tribal languages are more prevalent in the countryside. Translators are available.
Again, greetings are important in Sierra Leone. Business meetings usually begin with formal exchange of cards and introductory speeches. In most cases they will be happy to comply especially if you send them a copy of the picture. The government discourages begging of any kind.
We invite travellers to visit Freetown and see the city's attractions; Bunce Island, the British Slave Castle on the Rice Coast of West Africa and the West Indies until the British Parliament finally closed it down in 1808; Tiwai Island; Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Loma Mountains, Bintumani Peak; Gola Forest Reserve; Lake Sonfon; Outamba Kilimi National Park; Western Area Peninsula Forest; the beautiful beaches and more.
Shed Jah, National Secretary, Sierra Leone
New Nat Sec for Switzerland
Congratulations to Katja Schmid, on taking over as the National Secretary of Servas Switzerland. We look forward to working with you.
Annual Report 2006, Honduras
Since I returned of the eGA in Latin, Italy has focused myself in to upgrade the list of hosts and to affiliate new members, work that has not still been concluded for reasons of long distances and not upgraded readiness of telephone numbers and no money.
In January of 2007 I attended a Regional Conference On Leadership and Youth, in San José, Costa Rica, there we achieve two important things: (1) to choose the Coordinator of Area for Center America, Mexico and The Caribbean and (2) to incorporate to young from the Area to the International Program of Servas Youth.
I have celebrated a first meeting with people of the Republic of El Salvador with the purpose of making resurge Servas El Salvador; we will have another meeting in another border city in April 29 2007 where the date will be determined for the first official meeting of Servas El Salvador to more to take in October of the present year, in the capital City San Salvador.
I am working hard in being able to have our hosts' regional meetings and at least an annual assembly of the whole national group.
David Espinoza, Honduras
(See also section on use of DFC money in Exco)
France
General Assembly for France will be at the end of May. We look forward to hearing their results.
uploaded by Amelia
