NOSLINA Chief pleads for urgent help to ailing journalist

By now I hope you have heard about the plight of our friend and journalist Anthony Kamara (of the Patriotic Vanguard).  I have known Anthony for a few years and have had the pleasure of building a warm relationship with him – a relationship built upon mutual respect and admiration.  Anthony’s picture is attached to this correspondence.
 
I knew that Anthony was ill because he mentioned it during our conversations, however he never alluded to the extent of his illness until recently.  Although Anthony was not a member of the National Organization of Sierra Leoneans in North America (Noslina) [he always told me that he felt he could best support Noslina by staying truly objective in the reporting of its activities and that the only way to maintain that true objectivity was to remain a non-member of the organization] he has never waned in his support of us.  He was the first to report on our going to Freetown to present the FCC with money for dumpsters.  He had members of the press lined up to meet with me in person, starting on my day of arrival!  He helped orchestrate press conferences, via radio, television, and print; he put the Mayor of Makeni in contact with me.  The Mayor even drove from Makeni to meet with me at my home in Congo Town to discuss Noslina activities. His reportings led other Mayors/city leaders (Bo, Bonthe, etc.) to contact Noslina about sponsorship opportunities.  Anthony has reported on every Noslina Awards ceremony, at least for as long as I have been a member of the organization.  Anthony has written feature articles on Noslina Award recipients, our members, and most recently served as one of the facilitators at our Biennial conference.  These are some of the things he did for Noslina.  Multiply these activities at least 20-fold and you will have a better understanding of the impact that this man has had in our communities (both within and without the United States).
 
I spoke with Anthony toward the end of last week and he was not at all doing well (he is back in the hospital – Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania).  I also spoke with his wife yesterday.  Bless her heart, she is doing the best she can in such a difficult situation because in addition to dealing with her husband’s illness, she has to deal with the logistics of being new to the country – with two children (they recently relocated from Canada).  Brothers and sisters, this extended family of ours needs our prays and support.
 
I am asking all of my friends, family, acquaintances and fellow Noslina members/supporters to join me in coming to the aide of Anthony and his family. Let us remember that no amount is too much and most certainly, too little. And to that end, I would like to challenge each and every one who reads this email to give $25.00.  This may seem like a small amount (and indeed please feel free to give more) but if everyone who reads this email gives $25.00, I am confident that the amount ultimately raised for Anthony and his family will be much. 
 
Again, I am pleading with each and everyone of you to please give $25.00 to help with Anthony Kamara and his family as they face this most difficult time.
 
My fellow Noslina Board member, Patricia Omo Thorpe has set up a Pay Pal link where payments may be directly made on behalf of Anthony. Payment options are as follows:
Via Save Sierra Leone Foundation:  http://savesierraleonefoundation.com/AnthonyKamara.aspx. 
Via Noslina:  www.noslina.org.  Please click on the Donation link. For reference, if possible, write “Anthony Kamara” on the second Address line. 
Via wire transfer:  For brothers and sisters located outside of the U.S.A. who would like to make donations via wire transfer, please contact me directly and I will be happy to assist with that.
Ladies and gentlemen, please know that although I have referenced Noslina activities in this message, I send this email message NOT as a Noslina member (in fact, I send this message independent of the Board’s prior knowledge) but as a friend of Anthony Kamara ; as a Sierra Leonean; and last but not least, as a humanitarian. 
 
I pray that the Almighty will continue to sustain this family, bring healing to Anthony, and lead to you support this worthwhile venture. I am confident that between Omo and I, you will receive timely updates on the progress of this most worthwhile fundraising venture.
 
God Bless,
 
Suna Nallo
410-412-4311

© 2010, Wilfred Kabs Kanu. All rights reserved. Discuss this article on the Salone Forum Salone Forum

By Wilfred Kabs Kanu