Dialogue, Cultural Exchange, Education, Sierra Leone, Technology
Village Link
Let us re-introduce ourselves...and what we're ...

Over the past couple months we've gained a lot of new followers. If you are new to The Village Link (TVL) then this post is for you! We wanted to take a minute to re-introduce ourselves, give you an overview of our programs, approach and what we're all about.

Let us re-introduce ourselves...and what we're all about.
Donating, Uncategorized, Technology
Village Link
5 Ways To Give Back This Season That Won't ...

It's that giving time of year again, which means busy malls and crowded public places. Many people opt to shop online for those two reasons alone. With all the friends and family on your shopping list, it can be overwhelming to consider adding a charity to that list of gift receivers. That's why we've made giving to TVL even easier this year! Now you can shop online and donate all while not breaking the bank!  

5 Ways To Give Back This Season That Won't Break The Bank.

All

, , ,

A Prayer From Golu to TVL

, , ,

The elders and chief of Golu recited a Muslim prayer for my safe journey with loving kindness. We have much to learn about religious tolerance and the gracious acceptance of "difference" from the folks in Sierra Leone. Below is a short video of this prayer.

Post by Village Link.

Elders and Chief of Gerehun during meeting with TVL Directors.

In addition to town meetings we also traveled to a neighboring town, Gerehun which is about 4 miles from Golu on the Bo-Kenema Highway. We met with elders and the chief on 11/29, to discuss ways to cooperate, promote joint efforts and advance the common goals of TVL and similar initiatives in Gerehun.

I hope that you enjoyed our post from Sierra Leone and that it inspired you. If you would like to make a contribution to TVL you will be helping us to complete our Community Resource Center. You can contribute by clicking here. Your contribution will go towards newer technologies, power sources, internet connectivity, furniture, continuous upkeep of the building and educational programs geared towards children and adults literacy.

Stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter and our blog for more updates on our Nov./Dec. 2013 trip to Salone and lighting up Project Golu!

Below are more recent photos from this visit. You can view more on our Facebook page here.

, , , ,

Journal Entries From Salone 2013 - Entry 2

, , , ,

November 27-28 2013:

Ibrahim, RoseAnn and her long time friend, Father Brian Starken, discussing TVL over lunch.

Happy Thanksgiving from Sierra Leone! As North American’s we have so much to be thankful for. The everyday basics we take for granted, such as power that we have continuous access to all the time, is something others have never experienced or have to travel miles to have access to. This is just one thing we will be giving the village of Golu this Holiday!

If you've been following our Twitter and Facebook posts you already know that TVL is back in Sierra Leone this Holiday to get our first Community Resource Center (CRC) off the ground. In my first post (below) I let you in on all of the technology we’ve brought with us from Silicon Valley to get things started.

Before heading off to Golu, we've been meeting with our Sierra Leonian counterparts, friends and partners in Freetown. “Taking care of business” as they say. However, a big part of the joy for me coming back to this country is reconnecting with long time friends from my Peace Corps. volunteer days. One of those friends is an Irish Catholic priest, Father Brian Starken, who lived in Sierra Leone from 1975-1997. Six of those years were during the civil war. During the 1970’s and 80’s, Brian taught school in Pujehun and then build a secondary school in Gerehun. I also taught school in Pujehun and then later moved to Golu which is only 4 miles from Gerehun. So, Brian and I were acquainted then. During the war, the school Brian built was destroyed. He ran camps for villagers displaced by the war and homes for boy soldiers who were released by the armies after UNESCO came into the country and insisted on their release. Brian was back in Europe for a number of years and now has returned to work on a center in Kenema. Needless to say, it has been great to catch up with a dear friend and someone working with Sierra Leoneans in creating positive social change in their beautiful country.

Another dear friend of mine from my Peace Corps. volunteer days is Mr. Fillie, now Chief Fillie of Golu. He and his family lived with me back in the 70's and is someone I can’t wait to catch up with to see how his family is. I'm so excited to get back to the village and get the CRC lit up and ready for operation. It’s going to be a crazy and fun time for me and TVL!

Stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter and our website for more updates on our Nov./Dec. 2013 trip to Salone and lighting up Project Golu! If you would like to make a donation to help us complete this project you can here.