PRESS RELEASES Former Barclays Bank Employees of Sierra Leone Celebrate in Arkansas Posted by on Jun 6, 2008, 14:08

Members of the Former Barclays Bank of Sierra Leone Ex- Employees Association converged in Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.A. from Friday 23/05/08 to Monday 26/05/08 to celebrate their 2nd Re-Union Gathering, which was hosted by The Macfoy Family. The Association, which is made up of  former Barclays Bank employees resident in the Diaspora  held its Inaugural Dinner/Dance in Washington DC in 2006.

This year's celebration was a three day event masterminded by the dynamic and energetic Rev. Sydney Macfoy, and his beautiful wife, Melvina, who took the celebrations to a whole, new and visionary level. The theme for this year is " GIVING BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY" and there was a mixed bag participation by members from London, California, Washington DC, Texas, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, Florida etc.

The delegates were all welcomed to Arkansas by Governor Mike Bebe, whose welcome address formed part of the specially designed and printed patriotic Green White and Blue bordered Souvenir Program. Participants received a BIG SURPRISE at the formal Banquet, held at the majestic Hilton International Hotel on Saturday 24/05/08, when they were presented with "ARKANSAS TRAVELLERS CERTIFICATES" appointing them Goodwill Ambassadors for the State of Arkansas, and personally signed by Governor Bebe.

At a well attended Thanksgiving Service held at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, the preacher Rev. Sydney Macfoy (who, coincidentally is in charge of Evangelism at the Church), preached from The Gospel of Matthew 6: 24-34 which was read by Mrs Claudia Williamson Taylor of Virginia; he admonished his congregation to be unwavering in their faith when serving in the Lord's vineyard; it was more blessed to give than to receive and it is therefore no surprise that this is in consonance with this year's celebration theme ("Giving back to our community").
He noted how impressed he was with the progress he saw for himself while recently visiting Sierra Leone and had every confidence that we shall once again rise up from the ashes of ten years unnecessary fighting, when we should have been consolidating our economic, social, health, educational development;  he admonished Sierra Leoneans to be forthright and bold enough to make necessary personal and corporate input rather than waiting on Government to lead and initiate in every sphere of activity;  "Private sector driven economy is WHAT IS DRIVING THE ECONOMY OF AMERICA, WHY CAN'T WE DO IT IN SIERRA LEONE?" he asked.

Members were encouraged to set up a fund, from which their less fortunate colleagues and/or children will be assisted following the ravages of war.
 
At a Meeting held at the Hilton Hotel early Saturday, a new Executive (listed below) was elected to take the Association forward. The meeting was chaired by Ms Alice Bernard- Jones, former Board Secretary and Legal Adviser of the now defunct Bank which has morphed in to Rokel Commercial Bank of  Sierra Leone:
 
Rev. Franklyn Coomber     ......................................President
OluTungie Okoro- Cole................................................Vice President (London Chapter)
Alexander Williams................................................Vice -President
Mrs Claudia Williamson Taylor.................................Secretary
Nicholas Williams.............................................. Treasurer
Mrs Anita Turner.....................................................Coordinator
Jacob Palmer....................................................Coordinator
Sylvanus Finney.................................................Coordinator

Granville Jones………………………………..Coordinator
 
The celebration was held at a time when Arkansas was jammed with  tourists from all over the United States and abroad, to witness "RIVERFEST" which is the State's biggest musical and business Festival. Delegates took time off to visit the various booths, watch various artists, including Chaka Khan and other celebrities, as well as visit The President Clinton Library or having a boat Ride on the Arkansas River.

 The Macfoy Family were presented with various accolades in recognition of their hard work, self-less sacrifice and determination to successfully put Sierra Leone on the map in Arkansas, and above all for ensuring that  members of the Association in attendance enjoyed the typical Southern Hospitality. Rev. Macfoy was also interviewed on State Television in the well patronised program depicting African personalities.