"Sweet SaLone has suffered enough" - Isaiah Washington

Anthony Abdul Karim Kamara, Jnr.

As a young man growing up in the northeast section of Houston, Isaiah watched his mother worked several jobs not only to support him and his sisters but to afford them the opportunity of residing in a safe neighbourhood.

In the absence of a father (who was unfortunately murdered) and a working mother, his grandma assumed the role of a parent. And grandma did not fail in her duty! She not only nurtured and lavished Isaiah with love and a strong sense of responsibility but also instilled in him the imporatnce of always maintaining a deep sense of empathy towards others. However, what grandma did besides raising young Isaiah was to teach him about seeking a strong relationship with his creator emphasizing the need to have a deep and abiding faith in God regardless of life's challenges.

Cognizant of the fact that his mother worked hard to provide for them, Isaiah realized as he was growing up that there were many who were less fortunate than him. Even though the resources were unavailable at the time to help as he would have wanted, he has always kept the thought of helping others close to his heart. As a man of faith, he always believed that when God's appointed time comes, the only option that will be available to him will be to step up to the challenge and do what he can to bring hope where it is desperately needed "one village at a time."

Nothwithstanding his inability to help others, his strong belief was that if he committed himself with passion to anything he does, he could possibly make a difference in the lives of others. What a difference he has made! Today, with a passionate belief and a sense of urgency that everyone, young and old deserves the the best and the same opportunities, his stardom and multifaceted nature has enabled him to engage in philanthrophy, using his personal resources to bring joy and a sense of purpose to the underprivileged and suffering masses here in the USA and abroad, particularly in Sierra Leone.

Since DNA results confirmed his genetic link to the Mende people of Sierra Leone, his burning desire has always been to help change perceptions about his new home and to making a difference in the lives of his new family "one village at a time." That was why he launched a campaign "Reach One Million" to raise funds to fight against malaria, provide clean drinking water, food, education among many basic needs for a country where about 70% live in abject poverty.

During a telephone conversation from Burbank, California, he told me passionately that “you and my Sierra Leonean brothers and sisters can surely make a difference if we work and support each other. I will do everything in my power to bring economic development and a lifelong connection and commitment to the people of Sierra Leone. To raise the visibility of Sierra Leone to investors is a priority. I will share my experience with investors. I need you all to support me so that in turn, we can help rebuild our nation. Trust and accountability is and will always be the order of the day and my mission. I can’t hide anywhere. Help me help others so that together, we make dreams come true. Please encourage every Sierra Leonean out there to donate even if it’s just $1. If one hundred and fifty thousand Sierra Leoneans donate one dollar each, Mr. Kamara you do the math. Sierra Leone is ours and we have a responsibility to help develop it for generations yet unborn. This is my appeal to my fellow Sierra Leoneans.”

During his visit to Sierra Leone back in 2006, Isaiah was joined by his brothers and sisters from all over the Ngalu Bagbwe chiefdom as he was inducted into the chieftaincy where he officially was named Chief Gondobay Manga which personifies a legend and a revered warrior. In return, Chief Gondobay has constructed the Chief Foday Golia Memorial School which has a population of about three hundred pupils serving six villages. Chief Gondobay Isaiah is also engaged in other projects including the rehabilitation of the Bo hospital that will benefit his native, Sierra Leone.

As the first African-American to ever receive Sierra Leonean citizenship or of any other African country based on DNA, his non-profit organization, The Gondobay Manga Foundation will be hosting an inaugural dinner to honour Academy award winning actor Forest Whitaker, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr of Harvard University and African Ancestry, Inc founders Dr. Rick Kittles and Gina Paige. The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, will be the keynote speaker. Thereafter, Chief Gondobay Manga (Isaiah Washington) is slated to receive the Distinguished Diamond Award to be awarded by NOSLINA in a special Awards Gala celebrating Sierra Leone’s forty-eighth Independence Day celebrations.

To all meaning Sierra Leoneans, Chief Isaiah is asking that if you believe that “Swit Sa. Lone has suffered enuff” as he puts it in an email message to kindly consider visiting the “Reach One Million Campaign” website and spread the word and challenge others to be part of the campaign. The Patriotic Vanguard joins Chief Gondobay Isaiah Washington in calling on all Diaspora Sierra Leoneans to donate a dollar to such a noble cause. Donations can be made at www.reachonemillion.org

Photo Credit: Reach One Million Campaign

Isaiah Washington & President Ernest Bai Koroma at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel, Washington, DC on September 27, 2008