Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09FREETOWN140
2009-04-14 16:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Freetown
Cable title:
FIRST LADY SIA KOROMA TO ATTEND AFRICAN HEALTH
how-toVZCZCXRO9572 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHFN #0140 1041649 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 141649Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2584 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS FREETOWN 000140
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FOR AF/W (EDITH SPRUILL AND JIM HUNTER); AF/RSA (LOUIS
MAZEL);USAID FOR FRANKLIN MOORE AND NATALIE FREEMAN)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINR OVIP SCUL EAID SL
SUBJECT: FIRST LADY SIA KOROMA TO ATTEND AFRICAN HEALTH
SUMMIT IN LOS ANGELES, CA, (APRIL 20-22)
REF: FREETOWN 121
UNCLAS FREETOWN 000140
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FOR AF/W (EDITH SPRUILL AND JIM HUNTER); AF/RSA (LOUIS
MAZEL);USAID FOR FRANKLIN MOORE AND NATALIE FREEMAN)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINR OVIP SCUL EAID SL
SUBJECT: FIRST LADY SIA KOROMA TO ATTEND AFRICAN HEALTH
SUMMIT IN LOS ANGELES, CA, (APRIL 20-22)
REF: FREETOWN 121
1. (SBU) On April 4, Sierra Leone's First Lady, Mrs. Sia
Koroma, confirmed to Ambassador her attendance at the First
Ladies' African Summit. She told me she planned to depart
Freetown on April 19. Mrs. Koroma also requested that we try
to obtain a presentation slot for her during the conference.
2. (SBU) Since then, I have personally contacted Cora
Neumann, Vice President of the African Doctors organization.
During our telcon, she confirmed that she would find an
appropriate time for Mrs. Koroma to speak about her "WISH"
foundation aimed at improving maternal and child health.
Mrs. Koroma, Dr. Robert Hamilton (Dir., Lighthouse Medical
Mission in Santa Monica) and I also discussed the Lighthouse
team's desire to host Mrs. Koroma at a program while she is
in California. We have provided the First Lady's bio and
information on her foundation to the summit organizers.
3. (SBU) Note: The Lighthouse Medical Mission group of 40
provided medical treatment for Sierra Leoneans and departed
April 10, 2009. Accompanying the team was "Entertainment
Tonight" host Mark Steines who plans to produce a documentary
and a book on the group's work. Actress Patricia Heaton (of
"Everybody Loves Raymond" fame) came with the Mission and has
built a school up country. Ms. Heaton wishes to maintain
contact with us to support health and education in Sierra
Leone.
4. (SBU) Comment: Mrs. Koroma's participation in the L.A.
Summit will, we hope, raise Sierra Leone's profile among
potential private sector donors and provide a complementary
effort to official USG activities now underway through the
Ambassador's Girls Scholarship program and the Special Self
Help fund. Although the documentary is not expected until
the fall of this year, we believe it, too, will help us
develop deeper collaboration between the broader development
community and our official efforts to address Sierra Leone's
impoverished population.
PERRY
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FOR AF/W (EDITH SPRUILL AND JIM HUNTER); AF/RSA (LOUIS
MAZEL);USAID FOR FRANKLIN MOORE AND NATALIE FREEMAN)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINR OVIP SCUL EAID SL
SUBJECT: FIRST LADY SIA KOROMA TO ATTEND AFRICAN HEALTH
SUMMIT IN LOS ANGELES, CA, (APRIL 20-22)
REF: FREETOWN 121
1. (SBU) On April 4, Sierra Leone's First Lady, Mrs. Sia
Koroma, confirmed to Ambassador her attendance at the First
Ladies' African Summit. She told me she planned to depart
Freetown on April 19. Mrs. Koroma also requested that we try
to obtain a presentation slot for her during the conference.
2. (SBU) Since then, I have personally contacted Cora
Neumann, Vice President of the African Doctors organization.
During our telcon, she confirmed that she would find an
appropriate time for Mrs. Koroma to speak about her "WISH"
foundation aimed at improving maternal and child health.
Mrs. Koroma, Dr. Robert Hamilton (Dir., Lighthouse Medical
Mission in Santa Monica) and I also discussed the Lighthouse
team's desire to host Mrs. Koroma at a program while she is
in California. We have provided the First Lady's bio and
information on her foundation to the summit organizers.
3. (SBU) Note: The Lighthouse Medical Mission group of 40
provided medical treatment for Sierra Leoneans and departed
April 10, 2009. Accompanying the team was "Entertainment
Tonight" host Mark Steines who plans to produce a documentary
and a book on the group's work. Actress Patricia Heaton (of
"Everybody Loves Raymond" fame) came with the Mission and has
built a school up country. Ms. Heaton wishes to maintain
contact with us to support health and education in Sierra
Leone.
4. (SBU) Comment: Mrs. Koroma's participation in the L.A.
Summit will, we hope, raise Sierra Leone's profile among
potential private sector donors and provide a complementary
effort to official USG activities now underway through the
Ambassador's Girls Scholarship program and the Special Self
Help fund. Although the documentary is not expected until
the fall of this year, we believe it, too, will help us
develop deeper collaboration between the broader development
community and our official efforts to address Sierra Leone's
impoverished population.
PERRY