Diompillor America - News around the Kissi Community

By: Henry Fallah Kendima Charyoe

National President/DIOMPILLOR AMERICA, INC
A UNIFIED VOICE OF THE KISSI PEOPLE OF LIBERIA , GUINEA , AND SIERRA LEONE


Great men and women are born and history has given accounts of them. Greatness is not measured by the height or weight of an individual as compared to others but by the selfless services and contribution that he renders to society.

Moses, as recorded in the Bible, was a great Prince of Egypt and he became a Deliverer of his fellow Israelites who were being held in bondage under the Pharaoh of Egypt. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led non-violence demonstrations against the segregation against Blacks in America. He led a match on Washington , DC and gave a powerful and historic speech of “I Have A Dream”. He along with other hardworking Americans of all races worked very hard and their sacrifices have led to election of the first Black Man as President of the Great United States of America. Former President Nelson Mandela stood against the Apartheid Regime in his home land and was sent to prison for decades. He came out from prison and became the first Black to be elected President of South Africa. Although there remains more to be done, South Africa is indeed a better place to live than twenty years ago. Thanks to these great men. History will forever give positive accounts of their sacrificial contributions to humanity.

For us Kissi People, Hon. Henry H. Saa, affectionately called and referred to by his kinsmen as Teacher Hallie of Gelema, was one of the first high school graduates from St. Augustine High School , Bolahun. His educational achievement was a great asset and blessing for our people. Others who sacrificed along with him to seek quality and early education from our area were: the late George Saa Pawa, affectionately called Teacher Pawa, the late Edward Fayiah McCarthy, also referred to as Teacher McCarthy, the late Hon. Joseph Varney, Mr. John Kendor, former District Education Officer for Foya District, Mrs. Agnes Wata Saa, wife of the deceased, the late Hilary Dennis, also referred to as Teacher Dennis, Ma Agnes Sia Kama, Hon, Jerry N. Kangbah, Mr. Richard Korsor, and the list goes on. These men and women are our Mendelas, Moses, and Dr. King, Jr. who sowed the seeds of education in Kissi Chiefdom, now Foya District that helped to reduce illiteracy and molded the young minds of Kissi in the chiefdom. Today, we have Kissi people who are doctors, nurses, engineers, university professors, judges, accountants, ministers of the Gospel, and politicians amongst others. And for all of these achievements, we say thanks to Teacher Hallie and all those who invested in the educational sector of our area and on whose backs we walked on in search of education. These early educators, upon graduation from their high schools and universities could have gone and seek lucrative high paying-jobs in our nation’s capital, Monrovia, and at concession areas like LAMCO, Bomi Hills, or Bong Mines. Instead, they went back home and engaged in the teaching and molding of the minds of young Kissi Boys and Girls. We will forever remain grateful to each of them.

Honorable and Mrs. Saa were not only educators but also believed strongly that hard work and education are the keys to success. They took in children of their relatives and other boys and girls in their home who stayed with them, attended different institutions of learning, and worked hard for their education. Those young boys and girls at the time were also disciplined by them including their own children as part of the requirement for staying with them. Today, they are good citizens. They owe it all to Hon Saa and Ma Agnes Saa.

After working as a teacher, and principal for several years, Hon. Saa was finally called upon to represent his people. He is the first Kissi man to become a member in the House of Representatives, Republic of Liberia for Kissi Chiefdom. He served his fellow citizens with distinction during his tenure. Today, our Kissi Chiefdom, now Foya District is politically known and engaged in the overall developmental initiatives for its citizens. She is one of the outstanding, well populated districts in Lofa County, and a major bread-basket for Liberia. He was succeeded by Hon. Phillip Saa Tali, another true son of the district. Mr. Tali is followed by Hon. Eugene Fallah Kparkar, our youngest, eloquent, and hard working Representative in the House.

Ladies and gentlemen, we could go on and on with our tribute as we spell out the uncountable contributions of this great man but will take (essence?) of time. However, we the sons and daughters of (Kissi Chiefdom, now) Foyah District, the Kissi Community-USA under the auspices of Diompillor America, which comprise of Kissies of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone, stand in unity to express our profound condolences to our fellow citizens of Foya District, Lofa County , and Liberia as a whole for this great loss. Definitely, words are inadequate to express our sorrow. To Mrs. Ma Agnes Saa and Children: George, Rose, William Saa, and Mr. Augustine Bundor as well as the family of Gelema, we extend our profound sympathy for the death of our father and brother.

To the leadership of Foya District, we pray that you all will follow the exemplary leadership of Hon. Saa and pull our people together to develop our district.

Finally, may the soul of our brother, father, Teacher, and Representative, Hon. Henry H. Saa of Gelema rest in perfect peace with God. Amen!

Faithfully submitted:
Henry Kendima Fallah Charyoe
President
Diompillor America

Ladies and gentlemen:

It saddens me to inform you that Hon. Henry H. Saa has passed away this morning in Foyah City, Foyah District, Lofa County, Liberia. I received an early morning call from our Deputy Paramount Chief of Kissi Community-USA, Prof. Henry H. Hali of Teaneck, New Jersey.

Hon. Henry H. Saa, who was affectionately called and referred to by our Kissi People as TEACHER HALLIE, was the first Representative for Kissi Chiefdom, now Foyah District, Lofa County, in the House of Representatives, Republic of Liberia. Hon. Henry Saa was amongst the early well educated Kissi Men/Women of our district and was a teacher for many many years along with his wife, Mrs. Agnes Watta Saa. Others were: Mr. John Kendor, the late George Saa Pawah, the late Hilary Dennis, the late Teacher Korfar, Ma Agnes Sia Kama, the late Edward Fayiah McCarthy, Mr. William Saamoi, among others. This is a huge loss for the kissi People in general as well as Lofa County, and Liberia as a whole through the Ministry of Education where he worked for many many yearss.

He is survived to mourn his death by his school days and life time sweetheart/wife, Mrs. Agnes Watta Saa, Mr. George Saa, his oldest son, Ms. Rose Saa, daughter, and Mr. William Saa, the youngest son with host of family members and relatives. Hon. Saa will be remembered for his valuable contributions to the educational sector as well as the political reform through which we a continues representation in the House of Representatives and a district status known as Foyah District. He helped to educate many many of us and today, we are where we are in life. It broke my heart because we didn't honor him for his valuable services to the people of Foyah District before departing for the great beyond.

On behalf of the National Leadership of Diompillor, Members, and the entire Kissi Community-USA and Canada, I write to express our profound condolences to Mrs. Agnes Saa and children, other family members/relative, and the Leadership of Foyah District . Words are totally inadequate to express our sympathy, but our prayer is for his soul to rest in perfect peace with God.

We will establish contact with our people in Foyah and keep you informed regarding his funeral arrangements and other information. We will also try to get contact numbers for his sons; George and William Saa for those who may want to express sympathies to them.

With total sympathy,
H. Kendima Charyoe
President of Diompillor
347-241-0079

By: Hon. Eugene Fallah

Foya District Representative

2^nd Legislature, Republic of Liberia

My dear Kissi Compatriots, the news of the demise of Hon. Henry H. Saa is one of grief, melancholy and of course a great loss that Foya District and the Kissi community in general have sustained. We all do know or might have heard the selfless sacrifices made by the late honorable together with some of his peers, such as Mr. Saah Pawa, Teacher McCarthy who both predeceased him, and few others like Mr. John Kendor who were among the relatively few Kissi personalities who were opportune to have received early enlightenment from the Holy Cross Episcopal mission in Bolahun. Unarguably, St. Augustine Episcopal High School, where many of our prominent stakeholders from Foya got their education was the only standardized school within the Foya, Kolahun and Vahun terrain. Before going further with this tribute, let me give special acknowledgement to the Episcopal church of Liberia for the impeccable role they played in grooming the minds of our fathers. I stand to be corrected, but I strongly believe that the aforementioned school served as a conduit through which consciousness began to permeate the Kissi land.

My esteemed countrymen and women, it may interest us to know that upon completion of their secondary studies at said school, some of our fathers who are referenced in this text matriculated to Cuttington University College, since in fact St. Augustine was a feeder school for CUC, while others enrolled at the University of Liberia, then Liberia College. I am providing this basis so that we can know the invaluable contributions and the pioneering role that the late representative and his peers played in building the educational foundation for so many successful individuals today. To this, I am very sure so many of us can serve as glaring testimony.

Let me also indicate as we mourn this great hero that he along with his peers some of whom mention has been made of in this commentary, made a decision to go back to their motherland to help impact education to thousands of their brothers, sisters , nieces, nephews and children. In those days Liberia’s economy was on the rise, especially being compared to that of Japan, where jobs were available for the capables, even though the “capables” like them were very scarce; they decided to go back to Foya to help in molding the minds of their kind. How many of us in this contemporary age, would do what teacher Hallie as he was affectionately called and companions did? I am very sure that some of them would have sought employment with the government in senior cabinet positions or better still, some would have been absorbed by LAMCO, Bong Mines Company (BMC), Firestone and may other companies if they wanted to but they instead chose to go back home to stimulate academic activities in Foya, a region that was then plagued with 99.9 percent illiteracy rate.

Moreover, I would also like to mention that their inordinate desire of going back to take the chalk, prompted the formation of the Tamba Taylor public School(TTPS) , the institution that so many people, the world-over make reference to. Additionally, I am also compelled by will and reason to acknowledge the role played also by the late paramount Chief of Foya District, Chief Tamba Lamin Taylor, for having worked cooperatively with the late Hon. Saa and others for having the first junior High school, in Foya District, then Kissi chiefdom. Sorry to bore you with this long literature. I know that many of you are aware of this outstanding contribution by the late Hon. Saa and others but I just want to refresh our memories so that we can appreciate the good work of this fallen hero.

In the year 1970, the Kissi chiefdom, then under the supervision of Kolahun district was officially notified by the government of the Republic of Liberia that it had met the threshold to become a constituency. As you may know, during the rule of the True Whig party, which was practically the sole political party, representatives and senators were handpicked by the regime through consultations with the stakeholders. When Chief Tamba Taylor was consulted along with his opinion leaders to recommend someone competent to fill the gap, who could they have recommended other than teacher Hallie who so tirelessly sacrificed for the mitigation of illiteracy in the Kissiland. I am very convinced that Hon. Saa was complimented and or rewarded for the good seed he planted, for the exemplary reputation he built, and least we forget for the foundation he laid for many school going children. One can conclude by saying that history has absorbed him as the first representative of Foya district.

Lastly, I am very proud of being one of the successors of a man who many consider as a pioneer in many respects, an educator, a visionary and a role model. On behalf of the good people of Foya District, I wish to convey my condolences to the bereaved family and the entire district for this great loss. While we mourn his death, we should take solace in the lord for I believe that he is lying in the bosom of the lord: May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.

MR. PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF DIOMPILLOR,

I am very honored and delighted to see this kind of togetherness and unity that has permeated the Kissi community in general in the diaspora, especially those in the United States of America. I have read through the internet the rapid responsiness to kinsmen who lost their love ones and relatives this year. To those who lost their love ones during the course of this year, I wish to offer my profound condolences and deepest sympathy for the losts that you have all sustained. May the God of our universe continue to give you comfort and peace. Kindly take solace in the lord. May the souls of the deceased and all fraithful departed rest in perpetual peace.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF DIOMPILLOR, I have also taken keen notice of the fact that you also converge in time of happiness. I wish to make two cardinal references in this respect. The first one has to do with the unanimous support shown by you during the grduation of Mr. Joseph Boakai, the son of our dear Vice president. You did not only plan the program but you also actively participated in it. Realistically, this is a mark of excellence on your part and it is worthy of emulation. The second and the most recent one which really overwhelmed not just me but I believe many of our citizens accross the globe was the meritorious farewell program of our well- respected traditional icon and well-known kissi grammarian, Rev. Kabakole. In my candid opinion, your step in honoring him is in the right direction.

For us in Liberia, his coming back is highly welcomed because he is a great asset to our cultural heritage. I am very sure that his long stay in
America helped a long way in inspiring you about our kissi culture. On this note, I wish to convey my sincere thanks and appreciation to all of the Kissi Community in the diaspora for all the meaninful undertakings you have gone through during this year.

Lastly, I want to let you know that I will be sending you a concise version of my legislative report for this year so that you can be in the know of all of the happennings back home in terms of my representation of the kissi people in the House of Representatives. I will be cataloguing for your perusal thos e legislations that were passed during the year with emphasis on Foya.

Thank you and may God bless you,

Sincerely,

Eugene Fallah Kparkar(Hon. )
Foya District, Lofa County

Greetings,H. Kendima CharyoePresident, Diompillor America1-347-241-0079-- Cell

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Management Sciences for Health
The Extending Service Delivery Project

TITLE: Project Director – Extending Service Delivery (“ESD”)
REPORTS TO: Technical Director - ESD
LOCATION: Conakry, Guinea

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Project Director serves as the in-country leader for the Extending Service Delivery (“ESD”) Project in Guinea. The project is managed by Pathfinder International, who is the prime organization on ESD.

The Project Director is responsible for achieving required project results through effective project planning and management, technical advising, administration and oversight, monitoring and evaluation and donor relationship management.

The Project Director will work closely with both ESD Headquarters in Washington, DC and MSH Headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts and will maintain close consultation with USAID/Guinea and host country counterparts. S/he will supervise staff and consultants and oversee the efficient operation of the ESD/Guinea office. The Project Director provides regular, comprehensive and accurate reports to ESD/DC and MSH/Cambridge and to donors based on ongoing monitoring and evaluation. He or she ensures the appropriate management of project funds, in compliance with USAID, ESD, and MSH requirements. The Project Director is aware of and adheres to ESD’s and MSH’s procurement integrity standards in all activities, including job applications.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Planning and project development

Oversee the development and implementation of strategies and work plans
Collaborate with counterparts and partner organizations in work planning and project implementation.
· Develop a network of local TA providers, consulting firms, and professional groups to facilitate ongoing work, identify new business opportunities and ensure clients’ access to high quality technical assistance.

2. Project management / implementation / delivery of technical results

Ensure the alignment of daily activities with project goals, approved work plans and standards for high quality, within-budget, and on-time product delivery.
Coordinate technical assistance by developing scopes of work, securing resources, providing technical oversight and supervision to consultants to ensure high-quality and timely deliverables.
· Disburse funds according to approved budgets, and see that staff are recruited and hired in accordance with local, donor and MSH and ESD requirements.
Ensure collaboration with partners, donors, and stakeholders, both planned and ad-hoc.
Maintain regular communication with ESD/DC, MSH/Cambridge and USAID/Guinea and resolve problems as they arise.
Ensure compliance with technical quality standards, budgetary guidelines, reporting requirements, and contractual agreements, in accordance with ESD and USAID requirements.
Implement management systems with standard operating procedures to administer all activities funded by the contract.
Create and implement budgets based on sound financial and accounting principles, MSH and ESD guidelines, and USAID requirements.
Meet all local financial obligations, monitor and track expenditures, and prepare regular financial reports for submission to ESD, MSH/Cambridge, USAID and other organizations.
Supervise the ESD/Guinea team field staff by regularly discussing issues, tracking work progress, providing guidance and support, and ensuring the consistent quality of work products.
Draft performance plans and conduct performance reviews of staff, communicating, implementing, and assuring adherence to MSH and ESD policies, guidelines, and values.
As other responsibilities allow, serve as a technical resource in areas of expertise.
Develop staff skills and knowledge, facilitating growth opportunities for staff when appropriate.

3. Monitoring and Evaluation

Oversee the development and ongoing use of a project monitoring and evaluation plan, including indicators linked to results, that meets all MSH, ESD, and donor reporting requirements, and that will guide activities to meet donor expectations.
Complete and submit project reports on time and with high quality.
Provide appropriate, timely, and accurate monitoring and evaluation of project staff, processes and outcomes.

4. Relationship management

Serve as ESD liaison to USAID/Guinea, government agencies concerned with other USAID-funded CAs and other collaborating agencies on all administrative and financial matters related to the project, with the goal of strengthening all relationships to contribute to project goals.
Respond promptly to donor and other key stakeholder inquiries and concerns.
Maintain good working relationships with partners and subcontractors to assure that the project receives the full benefit of their areas of expertise.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Graduate degree in international public health, international development, public administration, management, social sciences or a related discipline.
2. Demonstrated leadership and management capacity to oversee complex USAID funded health programs in developing countries;
3. Guinea-specific experience preferred; Africa experience required.
4. Proven ability to effectively monitor and evaluate programs and provide outstanding internal and external reporting on an ongoing basis.
5. Strong management, administrative, supervisory, and financial management skills.
6. Knowledge of USAID-funded programs and experience managing relationships with USAID missions preferred.
7. Demonstrated ability to work independently, and to develop a new project in a dynamic environment.
8. Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communications, teamwork and partnering abilities.
9. Skills leading teams and supervising staff
10. Demonstrated computer skills in MS Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel, and Access.
11. Fluency in oral and written French and English required.
12. Willingness to travel within Guinea regularly, and to MSH headquarters as required.

Please note that allowances are not available for this position.