African Sports Monthly International Women's Day Special Edition | Page 71

The Role of the Diaspora:

Every country and community has always had a portion of their population scattered in various parts

of the world whether by design or by circumstances and over time they have come to be dubbed the

Diaspora of that community or people. In the case of Sierra Leone, economic hardships in the 1980’s and
early 1990’s coupled with the Civil War of the late 1990’s and early 2000’s led to its greatest migration

to other places in the globe. The result of that migration is the establishment of Sierra Leonean Diaspora
communities in the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Norway etc etc. In the case of the USA they have joined
their long lost brothers and Sisters who were lost to the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade many centuries back
to form hybrid communities of Africans and African-Americans. Some African American Communities

were able to retain the culture and many other aspects of their Sierra Leonean ancestry and heritage;
like the Gullahs of South Carolina, and some in mainstream America who have shown an interest in
tracing their ancestry have been able to trace their ancestry through DNA tests.

This resultant scattering of its people does not take away from the identity of these migrant groups

as they are so very much connected to the homeland in many ways. They form a global mosaic of Sierra
Leonean culture and lifestyle infused with a mix of American, British, Australian, Norwegian, German
and many other influences and the reality is that Sierra Leoneans at home should embrace this new
phase of multiculturalism for their country which can only benefit the nation in many ways.

The Sierra Leone Diaspora was bound to bring forth a new generation who at some point in time out

of need and curiosity would want to connect with their land of ancestry to not only experience where
their ancestors came from but seek to belong and serve it in various capacities and this is what is
happening and it will continue to happen far into the future.

Sierra Leone stands to gain so much from these talents and should do everything possible to

embrace them in every facet. It is not just a role for government to seek after and cater and care for