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African Dream! 07/06/08.Nothing really pleases me most than to see help being geared towards underprivileged people. Africa is a continent rich with minerals and other natural resources but yet still millions of people are suffering from diseases and poverty. I was very pleased to recently see the Clinton Hunter Development Initiative (CHDI) partnering with the governments of United Kingdom, Rwanda and Malawi, to strengthen education in Africa. In a continent where illiteracy rate is high, this partnership seeks to educate more than 200,000 children each year in Malawi and Rwanda. CHDI will invest $10 million to facilitate the design and construction of four teacher training facilities in these two African countries. 200 primary school teachers are expected to graduate each year. In another development, The Hunter Foundation is to partner with UNICEF to support children whose lives have been affected by war and poverty in Kitgum, northern Uganda. THF's funding which amounts to £1m will be very instrumental in a region where standard of living is very low. In May, the Kanu Heart Foundation sent me a commendation message which read: "Your mission is indeed a great one and we at the Kanu Heart Foundation wish you well in realizing your vision for Africa. As a Foundation, that helps African children receive life saving treatment for heart defects, we commend you on incorporation sport into your humanitarian work." In 2000, during my time as African Correspondent for SoccerAge.com (now Goal.com), I wrote an exclusive report on the Kanu Heart Foundation after Nigeria's soccer star, Nwankwo Kanu, who is also UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, launched his foundation in London. My report was titled: "Nigeria In A Panic, But Kanu Determined To Save More Lives." Today, Kanu has saved more than 400 lives. His foundation has overseen more than 400 heart surgeries on African children. In November 2007, I made note of this remarkable achievement in one of Britain's leading soccer magazines, The League. It feels great working toward a common goal, especially when it relates to making a positive difference in the world of the underprivileged. Victims of civil war such as amputees in Sierra Leone; major heath issues facing Southern Africa such as HIV/AIDS epidemic: all these burning issues need more attention. Trying to save just one life makes a huge difference. My African Dream is to reach out to thousands of underprivileged people on the continent of Africa, especially children, and make a difference in their lives. It is time for us to recognize that our help, no matter how little, can be truly meaningful to others desperately in need. Let us now rise to the occasion and support the African Dream. Sincerely,
Ibrahim Dabo.
Moving On! 06/05/08. My spring semester ended successfully in May, and I also received my certificate for participating in the Leadership Certification Program at University of Baltimore (UB). But then within two weeks, I returned to university to take three hefty summer classes. I am already feeling heat. In a separate development, I would like to thank UB's president, Robert L. Bogomolny, for his recent letter congratulating me for being elected as Vice President for Communications at the university's Student Events Board (SEB). On May 16, I attended a two-day Transition Retreat in St. Michael's, Maryland. The Student Government Association of UB, alongside the SEB, came together, among other things, to formulate new strategies/policies and calendar for the 2008/09 academic year. The Retreat was an accomplishment, and my Communications Team and I are poised to contribute significantly to the welfare of the entire student body during the upcoming academic year. I also attended UB's Annual Merit Awards Banquet at Belvedere Hotel, Baltimore. Congratulations to all award recipients, especially Simon Fong, outgoing president of the SEB. Let me also congratulate all UB students who graduated on May 21, especially Mesfin Mulat and Jackie Stanton (president of Kappa Beta Delta, Alpha Omicron Chapter). Congratulations also go to all my friends who graduated from Baltimore City Community College on May 31. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. As a member of the Board of Trustees, and Communications Coordinator at Old Otterbein United Methodist Church (the oldest active church in Baltimore City), I last month served as liaison and host to fifty-five youths from Trinity United Methodist Church in Rome, Georgia. This was their first visit to Baltimore, and I was delighted to lead them to the city's Inner Harbor for lunch, and later to a baseball game between The Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox (too bad the Orioles lost). It is worth noting that these youngsters possess enormous amount of talent; they are united, have high levels of energy, demonstrate principles of friendliness, and are certainly one of the best groups I've ever come across. They vigilantly spread the word of God through their powerful gospel music, and they wasted no time in setting up their equipment/instruments to prepare for the traditional peanut sales by Old Otterbein---the church generates part of its revenue through peanut and water sales to baseball fans heading to the Ball Park, which is only a block away. Within two hours, they had already touched the lives of hundreds of people. Amidst my busy schedule, I felt I needed some time to relax, too. So I decided to go watch an opera---Madama Butterfly. I followed with great interest the captivating Italian sung with English subtitles. This "classic story of colliding hearts and culture" was moving, and very emotional at the end. A U.S. Navy Lieutenant B. F. Pinkerton marries a geisha named Cio-Cio-San (also known as Butterfly). The latter is cursed for renouncing the faith of her ancestors, but she pledges true love and loyalty to the lieutenant, and gives birth to a baby boy. While Pinkerton is away on duty, Butterfly devotedly awaits the return of her beloved husband for at least three years. The high drama unfolds when Pinkerton later shows up with his new wife, Kate. Unable to bear the shock and disgrace, Butterfly stabs herself to death. Lastly, it was great to try out dishes from Ethiopia and Nepal, thanks to some school colleagues who hail from these countries. I cannot talk enough of how much I enjoyed the Injera and Kornese at an Ethiopian restaurant, let alone the Vege Chow Chow, Tandoori chicken, and Nepalese tea at a Nepalese restaurant. If you ever think of trying out a different dish, I surely would recommend the above. Thank you to Achaya, Malick, and Mesfin for your generosity. I wish everyone an enjoyable summer. Sincerely,
Ibrahim Dabo. Challenges, Hope, Changes, And Rewards
05/06/08. Recently I was reading 28 Stories Of AIDS In Africa by Stephanie Nolen. The book gives readers a poignant sense of the catastrophic impact of HIV/AIDS on the continent. I was especially struck by the author's first-hand account of how the AIDS epidemic is destabilizing and breaking down ethnic lines, particularly in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa.
With more than 25 million people living with HIV in Africa, the disease has become a most terrifying factor. In her book, Nolen wrote that her experiences on the continent made her begin to believe this was the "biggest story in the world," an "almost incalculable devastation that HIV/AIDS was wreaking in country after country I visited."
Dr Leopold Zekeng, UNAIDS country coordinator for Ghana, shared his insights with me, saying concerted efforts in fighting against the deadly disease are crucial, and "especially as we are faced with strong denial due to what is believed to be 'low prevalence.'"
Being a Team Player with Switzerland-based NGO, the International Platform on Sport and Development, I support HIV prevention strategies, and use the power of sport to spread the word to thousands of people across the globe. Having recently been appointed as Honorary President for a Youths & Sports NGO in Africa, I am currently assisting them formulate strategies on establishing partnership with the national government, thereby also laying strong emphasis on combating HIV/AIDS.
In September 2007, I was commended for my actions by the former president of Switzerland, Mr. Adolf Ogi. Mr. Ogi is also former Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace. Part of the message from his office read: "Mr. Ogi was impressed by your enthusiasm in actively promoting sport as a tool for fostering education, health, development and peace."
April was a busier-than-usual month for me. Apart from successfully keeping-up with my studies, I invested several hours of my time into community service in Maryland, USA. Giving back to the community is always a wonderful experience. Part of the criteria for my Leadership Certification Program at University of Baltimore required me to complete a specified number of community service hours, and I chose to work onboard the U. S. S. Constellation.
This is "a historic vessel that actively interdicted the slave trade in African waters during the 1850's, captured three slave ships and freed and returned to Africa 700 slaves; and also the only surviving ship of the American Civil War."
Working on this vessel brought back memories of my visit to the rural areas of The Gambia, West Africa, in 1999. I went to historic sites that played a vital role during the slave trade. One such site was the slave house, where hundreds of slaves were imprisoned in gruesome conditions in a dungeon, while awaiting another horrifying experience-a trip to the New World by sea. It was therefore an honor to work onboard the U.S.S. Constellation, an anti-slave trade vessel.
I also participated in University of Baltimore's 6th Annual Community Service Day on April 25th. My team-Advisors; fellow members of the Helen P. Denit Honors Program; and the UB Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, a National Honors Leadership Society-was posted to Baltimore's historic Patterson Park, where we engaged in a lot of weeding and mulching. It was fun! See Community Service Photos
In the administrative environment, I am deeply honored to have been elected Vice President for Communication at University of Baltimore's Student Events Board (SEB). While I am delighted to serve the university in this capacity, I am also pleased to have been accepted on to the university's official newspaper-The UB Post-as a contributing news writer.
In another development, it was great to do an exclusive interview with Jane Gennarelli, a Principal of Magellan's Law Corporation, and leading expert in litigation management. She gave an insight into her company's Litigation Best Practices in a Box(TM) product, and also shared some success stories of how this tool has impacted leading firms. Gennarelli is the original creator of this product, which is "purchased by some of the largest law firms in the world." Read exclusive interview with Gennarelli
Lastly, I was deeply touched few days ago when I read an e-mail from someone in France, who was searching information on the Web about my late father, and came across my webpage. I was only three years old when my father, Sillaty K. Dabo, who was a Professor of Linguistics at Oxford University in the UK, passed away in 1986 [and I have no memories of him while he was alive]. It was therefore highly inspiring to have been informed by this individual that his grandfather and my late father "took part in a panel discussion together (probably in 1964) led by the renowned scholar of nationalism, Ernest Gellner, in a conversation on issues of language in Africa."
He added: "The discussion was recorded and distributed by the Transcription Centre, which was set up in the 1960s to provide cultural content to African and Caribbean radio stations... The original recording is held at the New York Public Library... The British Library has digitized much of the content (which was also broadcast on the BBC)."
Over the years, what I learned about my late father's excellence in not only the educational sector, or about the books he wrote, but also his charisma and mental strength, are some of the things that greatly motivated me. This latest information has further boosted my morale, and my siblings and myself will continue to strive for the best, while keeping his memory alive.
It is an indisputable fact that the world we live in poses several challenges, but with hope and diligence, we can as well strive to make positive changes. We can help Africa, a continent marred by poverty and diseases. My elder sister, Miatta Dabo, who is a practicing attorney in Washington, D.C, and writer, is also a strong advocate for change, and is currently raising funds to help victims of civil war. See Miatta's blog. Individuals shape the world around them, and while the poor and needy desperately seek our help, only the positive moves we make can be rewarding.
Sincerely,
Ibrahim Dabo.
Related Links:
African Issues
28 Stories Of Aids In Africa
Positive Signs!
04/04/08. As we moved into the New Year, I prayed that 2008 be a year of enormous blessings, one that surpasses the previous year. So far, the signs have been visible, and I remain positive about what lies ahead.
In January, I attended the 61st Annual National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Convention, and Awards Banquet in Maryland, USA. The experience was overwhelming, as I met and interviewed prominent names in the game of soccer, such as Bill Beswick (recognized as one of the world's best sports psychologist), Steve McClaren (former England National Team coach), and Gerard Houllier (one of the world's most respected coaches). The clinics were high-class, and the Convention’s Exhibit (the largest soccer-specific show in the United States) was phenomenal. What an exuberant way of bringing together coaches from all over the world to educate them about the latest techniques and technology in the game. My report on the convention was published Britain’s leading soccer magazine – THE League, as well as an exclusive interview with America's famous Kristine Lilly, which was published in Canada's Free Kick magazine. See Photos.
While I continued to reflect on my experience at the convention, it was only few days to the start of my second semester at University of Baltimore. I knew I needed to prepare for the challenges. So far, it has been a wonderful experience, and I have become more involved with campus activities. On February 14, I joined my colleagues on a trip to Annapolis, Maryland, for UB Advocacy day. It was great meeting with State Delegates and Senators, as well as attending a Senate Session. Apart from currently participating in the Leadership Certification Program on campus this semester, I am also deeply honored to have been recently accepted into the Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) UB Circle. The ODK is a National Honor Leadership Society "for college students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni - and membership is a mark of highest distinction and honor."
On a personal note, I am just thanking the Lord for being there for me, and seeing me through all my plans in life. It was good traveling to Texas for Spring Break, and I cannot wait for the summer. In the meantime, let me also take this opportunity to wish you all the very best with your plans for the rest of the year.
Sincerely,
Ibrahim Dabo
A Retrospect Of 2007
01/01/08. In 2007, I faced numerous challenges, as well as enjoyed some amazing moments. I successfully attained my Associate Degree in Business Administration from Baltimore City Community College (Maryland) in June. I changed my major to Management Information Systems, and started University of Baltimore in Fall 2007. I am an Honors student, and also a Hammonds Scholar. Becoming a Hammonds Scholar earned me a full scholarship until I graduate, and am very much delighted with this development.
The soccer arena has been exciting, too, as always. I enjoyed covering lots of exclusive features and interviews for Goal.com. In August, I traveled to Ohio where I met with players and officials of Major League Soccer Club, Columbus Crew. I interviewed Danny Szetela (U.S. Under-20 midfielder), Kei Kamara (Sierra Leone striker), and Sigi Schmid (Columbus Crew coach, and one of America's most respected coaches). See Ohio Project Click Here.. I also went behind the scenes and found out how the game of soccer is uniting Africans. To read full story Click Here.
In November, I resigned as Africa Editor of Goal.com, a leading multi-lingual and global soccer website, after seven years with the Italy-headquartered organization. Conseqentially, and most surprisingly, I received numerous e-mails and calls from my colleagues and fans all around the world, many who were in disbelief and questioning my move. Nevertheless, I want to assure them all that I will continue using the power of sport for development in any way I can.
On a more personal note, I feel special to have a very loving family, girlfriend, and friends who all care so much about me, encourage, inspire and always show me love. Notably, I'd like to say a special thank you to God for giving me the strength, guidance, protection and provision at all times. With him and only him, all things are possible.
I wish everyone a bright and prosperous 2008.
Sincerely,
Ibrahim Dabo
ibrahimdabo@gmail.com or idabo@neoncirc.org VIEW GUESTBOOK ----- SIGN GUESTBOOK RELATED LINKS: -> About Ibrahim -> KBD Profiles Ibrahim -> IPSD Profiles & Interviews Ibrahim -> Acknowledging Ibrahim's Works -> PHOTOS
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