Greetings from Sierra Leone
Men in Sierra Leone sorting kola nuts, a bitter tasting caffeine-containing fruit found on the cola trees of West Africa.
Kola nuts have various uses in many different West African societies, ranging from ceremonial offerings to healing practices.
In 1800s, American pharmacist John Pemberton introduced them to the Western world by combining kola nuts with sugar, carbonated water and other ingredients to make the first cola soft drink in the West. Coca-Cola no longer uses kola nuts in its recipe.
Photo by bruce_geisert on Flickr.
The Global Justice Club at Harborfields High School, Greenlawn, NY. put on a concert to raise money for The Magic Penny.
Michelle DaSilva-Burke is the advisor in top photo[above, 3rd row middle, bottom photo first row on the left].
The group presented checks to The Magic Penny [Lucy Sumner the president and International Director of the Magic Penny is shown top photo back row in the middle, and photo above back row on the left]
“Peace Corps is an organization for which I have a strong personal affinity. The dedication and professionalism of Peace Corps Volunteers in our education system made a great impact on me during my formative years. Since 1962, Peace Corps Volunteers have been great ambassadors to my country and I know they will continue to play a critical role as we write the next chapter in the history of my country.”
During his visit to Peace Corps Headquarters today, President Ernest Bai Koroma of the Republic of Sierra Leone was reunited with Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Sharon Kasper Alvarado. Alvarado served in Sierra Leone from 1964 to 1966 as an education Volunteer and got to know President Koroma’s family and schoolmates. The two had not seen each other for nearly 50 years.
