‘DI PRƐSIDƐNT IM MƐSEJ’
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Fambul, padi εn nεba dεm: Unu εkushe! Mi nά Eyamidé E. Lewis-Coker εn mi nά di Prεsidεnt fכ Krio Disεndant Yunion nά Kalifכnya.
Di skripchכ: Fכs Lεta Fכ Tεsalonayka 5:18. Sε, unu fכ tεl Papa Gכd tεnki כltεm fכ כltin. Nά so Papa Gכd waƞt mek una wε gεt wanwכd wit Jizכs Kraise, liv.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 - In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
It is with great pleasure and humility that I assume the (2016-2018) presidency of such an excellent, non-profit, 501(c) (3) charitable organization, Creole Heritage Organization-California. I am deeply grateful to the CH0-CA Board of Directors and members for electing me and providing me with this opportunity.
I have learned valuable things over the past years that have helped me personally as President and also helped the organization. With our newly-elected Board of Directors, we are engaged in strategic planning to contemplate the organization’s future. Our priorities are to strengthen Krio Descendants Union in California membership; preserve, promote and pass-on our Creole History and Cultural Heritage to future generations, and ultimately enhance economical and physical disadvantaged Sierra Leone communities as best as we can.
Whether you are a new member or a tenured member of Creole Heritage Organization-California, I encourage you to become involved. Try to be familiar with CHO-CA website, join one of the committees, attend the Board meetings, pay your membership dues, et cetera. The knowledge you’ll gain will be valuable to you and CHO-CA. With the collaborative efforts of Creole Heritage Organization-California members, you will help make a difference in enhancing economical and physical disadvantaged Sierra Leone communities.
I am delighted to report some highlights of our achievements and successes during the past years. On June 12, 2015, leading representatives of three non-profit organizations: Krio Descendants Union in California, Krio Descendants Union in Canada and Krio Descendants Union in Washington Metropolitan Area consolidated and launched an organization, entitled Krio Descendants Union International (KDUI) to serve as an umbrella and eventually, to connect and empower communities of Creoles Worldwide through education, cross-border philanthropy and project development in the peninsular of Greater Freetown.
Krio Descendants Union International established its office in Maryland with the motto: “Wi Creole pipul dכn tinap togεda as wan”.
On September 2016, Krio Descendants Union International chapters visited Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada to participate in celebrating the Creoles of Sierra Leone History and Cultural Heritage. It was a great experience! With enthusiasm, KDUI members mounted their KDUI flag at half-staff together with the Mayor of Halifax, Mike Savage in the Halifax City Hall garden. They also visited Africville Museum, Halifax Citadel National Historic Site and the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia in Dartmouth. We were halfway to New Brunswick, Birchtown to visit the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre and Birchtown Historical Site when our bus driver heard a strange engine noise. He pulled over to the side of the road and called for another bus to return us to our hotel. Unfortunately, some of us did not arrive at Birchtown to bond with our Black loyalists brothers and sisters.
Furthermore, Krio Descendants Union in California members will be hosting their first Creole Cultural Heritage Weekend on Thursday, August 30, 2018 - Monday, September 3, 2018 in California to preserve, promote and pass-on their Creole History and Cultural Heritage. Funds collected will benefit economical and physical disadvantaged Sierra Leone communities.
Over these past years we have seen many changes and we expect that this upcoming year will be no different. We need your expertise. Please consider joining Krio Descendants Union in California. If you are already a member, become an active and involved member. You will be amazed by all you can gain from this great organization. I believe UNITY is what brings about progress and I am looking forward to be able to work alongside Krio Descendants Union l in California members to make the years ahead meaningful, purposeful, and memorable.
I thank each of you for the trust that you have placed in me. Please know that it is my honor and privilege to do my part that will enable Krio Descendants Union in California to carry on its tradition of excellence and success.
May God richly bless you!
Sincerely,
Eyamidé E. Lewis-Coker