Thursday, November 27, 2008
TRIBUTE TO HONORABLE HENRY HALLIE SAA OF GELEMA
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
