2008 Pledge Campaign extended until November 30, 2009

Due to my travel schedule, I have extended the 2008 Pledge to November 30, 2009. That means you have another full year to lend your support to the cause!!!! As you can see below, we have collected several school supplies and more than $2,500 in cash. My goal is collect at least $10,000. In the December issue of Elle magazine, there is an excellent article on "Hope Diamonds" and various philanthropic efforts in Sierra Leone by celebrities and others in the international community. The article notes that $16.10 can pay the tuition for one child for the entire year. We have collected over $2,500..... Imagine how many lives we can change if we collect $10,000. I have hope that we will meet our goal by November 30, 2009, and I will continue to do my part to garner support. A big thank you to everyone who has pledged so far!!!!

Take the 2008 Pledge - Updated

Pledgees so far-----

Cecilia J. - Box of pens and pencils
Da Man Himself A.K.A. Ibrahim Dabo - $12
Ishmael Dabo - $12
Renee Baker from Renee Baker Designs - $30
Stan - $2
Anonymous (30 individuals) - $110, 8 packs of pens.
Christophe Guibert de Bruet, Esq. - $12
Joyce Koo, Esq. - $12
Mary Brown, Esq. - $100
Randolph Shingler, Northwestern Mutual Financial Advisor - $100
Miatta Dabo, Esq. - $250
Boutique Mix - $2000
Angela Holland, Esq. - $12
Delia Patterson, Esq. - $12
Bryon Wasserman, Esq. - $12
Sarah Gans - $12
Sherika Jones - $12
Basil Henderson - $12
Teresa Bernhardt- $12
Chandran Iyler, Esq. - $12
Tilshop Girl - $30
Pastor Bai Sesay $20
Daniel of Daniel's Counter
Mountain Girl from Mountaingirl's Musings
Abbey from Random Thoughtsof Life - School Supplies, Clothing, Cards
Jack Figura
SDSue from sdsiouxlakotaconnections.blogspot.com
Sierra Express Media Newspaper


It is wonderful that one of the main priorities of our new government is to tackle the pervasive corruption that has damaged Sa Lone. I applaud this priority and know that it will increase accountability of civil servants to the people. We must not, however, forget to implement changes in agencies responsible for instituting reform for the children. We can fight corruption all we want, but if we don't take care of the children, repair the extensive damage done to them, and provide a safe environment for them to heal, we will merely be "chasing our tails." The children are the leaders of the future. We must ensure that when the time comes they are able to be leaders that can carry our great nation into the future. We need to promote education and health reform for our children. These are not privileges - they are rights. Voting is a privilege. Education, food, health, safety and shelter are Rights!!!!!!


We don't want the needs of the children to be lost in the "big" agenda. Let's face it, if we fix today and leave tomorrow still broken, then there really is no future. The present government will not be around in 30 years - those kids, the ones who need our help right now, will be running Sa Lone in 30 years. Let us start now before its too late. We don't want history repeating itself. Let's take a look at where the children have been over the last decade and in the following weeks, decide on how to move forward. [Click here for stories that will inspire you to pledge].

2008 Pledge

Please note that there is no criticism of the government here. This is a task for all Sa Lone folk. We can all do our little part to facilitate progress for the children. For those of us outside of the diaspora, sponsor a child, adopt a school and do a book drive, send pens or pencils, buy ten pairs of shoes and send for ten lucky boys or girls at a school of your choice (you can even go to payless for this). Ask each and every one of your friends and/or colleagues to donate one dollar (US) or one pound (UK) or one euro (Europe) a month for twelve months and on December 15th, 2009, buy school supplies and/or clothing, and non-perishable goods and donate them to one or more lucky schools.

Ask for 50 cents a month if a dollar is too much. Ask your friends to donate all their old clothes or shoes so that you can send it to a trusted individual or organization that can distribute it to those who truly need it. Pledge to make 2009 a year of change for rebuilding Sa Lone - one innocent child at at time. Just sending pens, pencils, notebooks, crayons or whatever you can afford for one child makes a difference!!! My friends and I are putting together a 2010-2011 Calendar. We hope you support us and buy them next year. We will use the money to buy school supplies/uniforms for children at a deserving school(s). I will have more details later!!!!

If you want to take the pledge, please let me know in the comments section below and update us on your monthly progress. We will support and encourage you all the way!!!! At the end of this month, I'll do a post on the logistics of this pledge. Please remember, we are not sending cash home. We are buying school supplies, uniforms/clothes, basic necessities and non-perishable food items with the money we collect. Common, join us for a good cause. Today I rounded up 7 individual colleagues of mine who have each agreed to donate a dollar a month in 2008 and 2009. This brings my individual pledge total to 32 individuals. You can do it!! Support the children. They need us now, more than ever. Education is vital to sustain continued economic and social reform anywhere in the world.

As a proud graduate of an HBCU, I can proudly tell you that "A Mind is a Terrible thing to Waste."

When our children are not in school, the rebels will find something for them to do. You have seen pictures of our kids carrying guys. Our kids being trained to become child soldiers. Our kids being taught how to steal, rape and kill. A picture speaks a thousand words.

We don't want that. We don't need that. They don't deserve that!!! Give them hope!! Give them dreams!! Give them inspiration!!! Give them ambition!!! Empower them to become leaders of tomorrow.

Let us do what we can to prevent rebels from hacking off the limbs of innocent babies!!! Be the voice of these innocent children. Help educate them. Help feed them. Help Clothe them. Just Help Please!!! Please take Pledge Poll [located on the left side of this blog].

HOW THE PLEDGE PROCESS WORKS - The Campaign started on 1/1/2008 and will end on 11/30/09.

1. Please leave a comment in the comments section of this post indicating that you will participate in the Pledge Campaign. Please take the Pledge Participation Poll located to the left of this blog.

2. When you successfully recruit new pledge members, please send an update via email to me or the comments section so that we can all celebrate your success. You may keep all the pledge $$ or send them to me if you prefer. If you do send me your pledge money or any supplies, please leave a comment stating you have done so. That way I am accountable to you and other participants. Indicate what supplies you sent to me or the amount of cash/checks you sent to me. We are operating under the honor system and I trust that we will all do the right thing.

3. It is up to you to inform of us of your monthly pledge amounts (any amount per month works. If people just want donate a lump sum, that's fine too).

4. It is ok if some people just want to donate school supplies, clothes, book bags or shoes. You may keep all the supplies until the end of the campaign or send them to me if you prefer.

5. We are operating under the honor system. I expect that you will collect and honestly account for all the donations/contributions you collect. If you find that this honor system does not work for you, please, please either buy school supplies immediately so that you don't have idle cash lying around or contact me to send me the money/items.

6. Please check in via the comments section or email me periodically so that we can all keep track of our progress.

7. Throughout the year, I will inform you of which schools or organizations will benefit from this campaign.

8. At the end of the year, all the supplies and other materials will be shipped to Sa Lone. All of you will have a say in where your money goes. We will make those decisions around September 2009.

9. The shipping and delivery costs will be sponsored by Boutique MIX.

10. I am always eager to hear your comments via this blog or at my email address at SaLonePikin123@hotmail.com.

11. My biggest thanks and gratitude go to Sierra Express Media in Sierra Leone for posting this Sa Lone Pikin blog on their website in an effort to raise awareness about the campaign. Thanks to "borborh" for supporting this message!!!

12. In mid 2009, Boutique Mix will sponsor a 24 month calendar for 2010-2011 as part of the fund-raising campaign. I will update the blog periodically with progress (including pictures) of the photo shoot and other events. I will let you know when the calendar becomes available for sale. The calendar is part of the 2009 campaign to raise money to create a scholarship fund for one deserving student at the University of Sierra Leone, and to help revamp the University Library.

13. My deepest gratitude to everyone for participating and/or spreading the word.

14. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

15. Please make a note of the names of all contributors so that we may list their names on the blog at the end of this campaign. We have a full year to go. We hope to keep the passion and momentum going throughout the year. Thanks for all your help and support!! You Rock!!!



children 1 children 2 children 3 children 4 children 5 children 6 children 7 children 8 children 9

Thank you!!