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Reaping What's Been Sown: Exploring Diaspora-Driven REAPING WHAT’S BEEN SOWN: EXPLORING DIASPORA-DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT FOR SIERRA LEONE by Robyn Joanne Mello A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the University of Delaware in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Honors Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with Distinction. Spring 2009 Copyright 2009 Robyn Joanne Mello All Rights Reserved REAPING WHAT’S BEEN SOWN: EXPLORING DIASPORA-DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT FOR SIERRA LEONE by Robyn Joanne Mello Approved: __________________________________________________________ Mark J. Miller, Ph.D. Professor in charge of thesis on behalf of the Advisory Committee Approved: __________________________________________________________ Wunyabari Maloba, Ph.D. Committee member from the Department of History, Black American Studies Program, and Women’s Studies Program Approved: __________________________________________________________ Eric Rise, Ph.D. Committee member from the Board of Senior Thesis Readers Approved: __________________________________________________________ Alan Fox, Ph.D. Director, University Honors Program Sierra Leone (darkened) in the African context ©2002 United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (uneca.org) Political Map of Sierra Leone ©2009 U.S. Department of State (state.gov) iii “Diaspora… originally referred to a scattering or sowing of seeds. The good thing about seeds is that they grow. The better thing yet is that they spread. And the best is that once spread they grow again.” Diaspora Dialogues, IOM, 2007 “We will drag ourselves out of this poverty zone And we’ll care for our own, our Sierra Leone We will raise up our hearts and our voices as one” “My Vision, My Home, My Sierra Leone” Ustina More “We originally planned to go back. It was the original plan for most people.” Sierra Leonean-American interviewee iv This work is dedicated to the memory of Ms. Khadija Jalloh—a beautiful woman, a dedicated Sierra Leonean, and a shining example of the kind of person that all youth should strive to be. May her efforts to engage the Diaspora not be in vain. (May 11, 1986 – December 6, 2008) v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS As a 22 year-old, most people have never seen the things, talked to the people, thought about the issues, or been to the places that I have. If it were not for the incredible generosity of The University of Delaware as an institution and the faculty and staff within, I would be stuck living a very average college life. To the University Honors Program and Admissions Office, thank you for selecting me as a class of 2009 Eugene E. DuPont Scholar for a full scholarship with all the financial, academic, and social benefits that a high school student could dream of receiving. To Dr Wunyabari Maloba, thank you for asking me questions which time and time again allowed me to go places in my head that I did not know were there and still managing to keep me smiling and laughing throughout. To Dr Mark Miller, thank you for latching on to me the moment I walked into your office the first time and telling me that I would make a fantastic African Migration Scholar. I had no idea what you meant at the time, but you clearly knew something I did not and provided all the connections I needed to get started on my journey. To Devon Miller-Duggan, thank you for always saying the right thing when I needed it and giving me a huge hug when that was what I needed more than words. To Dr Victor Perez, thank you for being the gatekeeper at the entrance to my sociological imagination and allowing me to realize that sociology was the field for me to grow the most throughout my studies. Your continued support and friendship has helped vi me to realize that I, too, should not be afraid to mentor and teach others while I’m young. To Dr Gretchen Bauer, thank you for being no-nonsense the first time that I met with you and showing me afterwards that the knowledge, passion, and care which you have for Africa is something which I hope to emulate and someday pass on. To Meg Meiman, thank you for your divine interest in the success of my research and the e-mails and cards which helped me to realize the problems I face are normal and to persevere. With all of you, the administration, the academic departments, the Undergraduate Research Program, The Honors Program, and the futures of this university’s students are definitely in capable hands. I will be in debt to the University of Delaware for the rest of my life. All I hope is that I repay the selfless people who have pushed me by doing the same regardless of where I find myself next. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................... xi LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................... xii LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS ..................................................................................... xiii ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................... xiv Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 1 2 RELEVANT THEORIES AND TERMS ....................................................... 7 Theories Of Mass Migration And Return .................................................... 7 The Resource Mobilization Approach ....................................................... 10 3 OVERVIEW OF SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN MIGRATION .................. 13 4 THE HISTORY OF SIERRA LEONE ........................................................ 25 Precolonial Era ........................................................................................... 25 The Province Of Freedom .......................................................................... 28 The Colony And The Protectorate ............................................................. 29 Independence .............................................................................................. 31 Decline ....................................................................................................... 33 Civil War .................................................................................................... 34 Current Climate .......................................................................................... 37 5 EXISTING DIASPORA-DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ....... 40 International Organization For Migration .................................................. 40 Return Of Qualified African Nationals ............................................. 41 Migration For Development In Africa .............................................. 42 United Nations Development Program ...................................................... 44 viii Transfer Of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals .................... 44 World Bank ................................................................................................ 45 African Diaspora Mobilization Initiative .......................................... 45 United States Agency For International Development .............................. 46 Diaspora Networks Alliance ............................................................. 46 6 CASE STUDY: TEMPORARY RETURN OF QUALIFIED NATIONALS .................................................................................................. 49 Overview ................................................................................................. 49 Specific Projects ...................................................................................... 54 Sierra Leone Ports Authority............................................................. 54 National Association Of Farmers In Sierra Leone ............................ 56 Stichting Wango ................................................................................ 59 Educational Centre For The Blind .................................................... 61 Fourah Bay College, University Of Sierra Leone ............................. 64 Sierra Leone Association Of Ngo’s .................................................. 65 National Radio................................................................................... 66 Recommendations ................................................................................... 67 Conclusion ............................................................................................... 69 7 MOVING THE SIERRA LEONEAN DIASPORA FORWARD .............. 72 The Office Of Diaspora Affairs .............................................................. 72 Sierra Leone Council Of Representatives ............................................... 77 Sierra Leone Youth Empowerment Conference ..................................... 79 8 THE SIERRA LEONEAN DIASPORA IN THE UNITED STATES ....... 83 General Demographics ............................................................................ 83 Overall Trends ......................................................................................... 87 Educational Emphasis .................................................................... 87 Occupations .................................................................................... 89 Income ............................................................................................ 90 Adverse Circumstances .................................................................. 92 Responsibility ................................................................................. 94 ix Unity And Disunity .......................................................................
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