The Sierra Leone Ambassador to the United States, Bockari Stevens
who created the award, presented its maiden edition to Mr. Vandy. The ambassador praised Mr. Vandy as one of few
people he had met who had gone to a great length in promoting Sierra Leone in
every respect. He recalled as example the leading role Vandy played in the
embassy’s celebration of Sierra Leone’s independence golden-jubilee last year,
saying he was moved by the deep sense of duty and patriotism that Mr. Vandy
demonstrated before and during the celebration, and to everything Sierra
Leonean he is involved in.
The award plaque holds an engraved gold-colored
Sierra Leone Coat of Arms symbol. On it the following words are inscribed:
In recognition of your personal achievements
especially
in the field of Drama, Arts, Music and your
invaluable
service to the Sierra Leonean Diaspora
community in the
United States of America…
David Vandy now works for the Washington
DC-based Voice of America radio as host of Africa
Beat, a daily disc jockey musical that broadcast throughout Africa.
Some three hundred guests including representatives
of Sierra Leone related organizations were in attendance. Voice of America’s Day Break Africa host, James Butty, said
David Vandy is a man of many talents whose experience has helped to enhance the
standards of the international broadcaster.
David Vandy had worked for a number of
radio/TV news outlets in Sierra Leone including the Sierra Leone Broadcasting
Service before coming to the US. A former co-host of a music show on SLBS TV,
Kumba Brewah, described Vandy as a uniquely talented man.
The USA-based Sierra Theatre Production, a
drama group he helped established in the United States, performed a short skit
titled: There’s is a Hole in the Bucket.
It is scripted from Harry Belafonte and Odetta’s musical lyric of the same
title. David Vandy is himself a seasoned and talented dramatist and playwright.
Three of Sierra Leone’s celebrated women
in the Washington DC metropolis, Mary Kamara, founder and CEO of Mary and
Daughters Decorations; gospel musical superstar and founder of the Sierra Leone
Association of Artists and Musicians, Giileh Kebbie Scholz, and former Sierra
Leone national football (soccer) captain and track and field athlete, Ekundayo
Williams-Bangura, were part of the group that organized the birthday dinner and
dance.By Aroun Rashid Deen
New York
