By Tanu Jalloh
A US-based Sierra Leonean journalist, Aroun Rashid-Deen [pictured] has donated to the Fourah Bay College Mass Communications department 120 cartons of books in the sciences, business and finance, theology, law, sport, media and communication, as well as children’s books.
Mr Rashid-Deen, who works for the Associated Press (AP) in New York, sent the books with support from some of his colleagues at AP.
At a ceremony to hand over the books, Acting Director of the Institute of Library, Information and Communication Studies (INSLICS), Isaac Massaquoi, said the books came at a time when they were most needed, adding that Aroun Rashid Deen had demonstrated, in a practical way, that he was a true patriot.
“Aroun is very committed to the improvement of education in Sierra Leone and on behalf of Fourah Bay College and the Mass Communication department, I thank him very much for being so kind to the thousands of students who will use these books” Massaqupi said.
Haja Fadlu-Deen, a Senior Assistant Registrar said the gesture deserved special commendation. She called on the students to make the best use of the books and to preserve them in good condition. She urged other Sierra Leoneans in the disapora to “emulate this worthy example”.
President of the Mass Communication Students’ Association, Umaru Samai, said: “we will forever be grateful to Mr. Rashid-Deen for this support. We call on him to increase the number of books to our department in any future shipment and consider helping us with computers”.
In an email communication, Rashid-Deen said the desire behind the book project emanated from his firm belief that education was the single most important factor in the well-being of every community.
“It is the head cornerstone on which every successful country is built. I believe I owe a solemn responsibility to the advancement of the country”, he said, adding that there was plenty everyone could do for Sierra Leone other than being a politician.
“If only every one of us in the Diaspora can contribute the worth of just one pack of pencils towards enhancing the standard of education in the country, a very big lot will be achieved” he said.
He went on: “I left the shores of Sierra Leone without a university education but I am proud of the fact that I now hold a Master's degree from one of the finest universities in the world. As the Egbo saying goes: ‘If a child washes their hands well, they will eat with kings’”.
Mr Rashid-Deen started his journalism career with the then Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service. He was an accomplished sports producer but also did a fair amount of general reporting. He fled the country in the wake of the AFRC attack of Freetown during this country’s civil war.
© Politico 2016
