While a lot of NBA players are taking it easy before training camp starts next month, Phoenix Suns' Amare Stoudemire is heading to Africa. The 6'10" baller is in Sierria Leone on behalf of his foundation, Each 1, Teach 1, and the Zee Community Development Foundation (ZCD) to build water wells. He will visit water well sites in Gao Village and Makereh and meet with the Minister of Sports, the Vice President, and President of Sierra Leone.
"This is a trip that I've been looking forward to taking my whole life," Stoudemire said in a statement. "We've already begun to help the communities in Sierra Leone, and it will be great to see the efforts in person. One water well built can provide water for 450 people, so as you can see, the impact will be really great."
Singer Angelique Kidjo, who is from the West African country of Benin, will be accompanying Stoudemire on behalf of her foundation, Batonga, which promotes education for African girls. Amare left the U.S. on September 1 and will stay in Sierra Leone until September 4.
Comments: (9)
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By: benkay22 on 9/03/2008 4:14AM
It is heartening to see sports stars like Amare getting involved with poor countries in Africa. However, it would be interesting to find out why Sierra Leone, when did he become interested in that country, and what is the name of his foundation.
I take my hat off to him and others like him who are using their fame and wealth to improve the lives of people they do not even know.
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By: Amadu Massally on 9/03/2008 6:47PM
I want to believe Amare Stoudemire may have Sierra Leonean ancestry. However, whether he does ort not, as a Sierra Leonean who is seeking our long lost brothers and sisters whose ancestors, thousands of them, where brought here from Sierra Leone in the 1700s and 1800s.
Today millions of African Americans have ancestry in Sierra Leone as approximately 30% of the DNA test results indicate. Well what if 30% of the millions of African Americans have Sierra Leonean ancestry? All we want to do is to know these people, invite them to visit SL on a heritage tour, a soul-searching one, which will forever change their lives for the better.
I hope these comments I write will one day make it to the rest of the African American populace so that they be informed that their are Africans like myself who are earnestly looking for their descendants so we can come together and change the plight of Africans in not only the US, but the world over.
I have a vision... and one day it will come to pass then the world will become a better place.
Patriotically,
Amadu Massally
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By: Amadu Massally on 9/03/2008 6:49PM
I want to believe Amare Stoudemire may have Sierra Leonean ancestry. However, whether he does or not, as a Sierra Leonean who is seeking our long lost brothers and sisters whose ancestors, thousands of them, where brought here from Sierra Leone in the 1700s and 1800s, I am very happy by his move.
Today millions of African Americans have ancestry in Sierra Leone as approximately 30% of the DNA test results indicate. Well what if 30% of the millions of African Americans have Sierra Leonean ancestry? All we want to do is to know these people, invite them to visit SL on a heritage tour, a soul-searching one, which will forever change their lives for the better.
I hope these comments I write will one day make it to the rest of the African American populace so that they be informed that their are Africans like myself who are earnestly looking for their descendants so we can come together and change the plight of Africans in not only the US, but the world over.
I have a vision... that one day it will come to pass and the world will become a better place.
Patriotically,
Amadu Massally
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By: milly terry on 9/04/2008 9:17PM
It warms my heart to see our African American brothers and sisters connect with the Continent and in particular my beautiful Sierra Leone. As we invite and encourage them to take a trip, see our land, mingle with our hospitable people of Sierra Leone, we know they would return with wonderful stories of a people, a Country and a Continent...that will give them coming back and making a difference in our world.
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By: Proud Sistah on 9/06/2008 12:31AM
Well said Africans, I am proud of Amare Stoudemire for his humanitarian efforts in Sierra Leone. I hope more African American people log into to this blog so they can get a true understanding of how a true African American brother functions.
Young brother Amare Stoudemire has restored some of my faith in his generation. It is nice to know that there are intelligent, Black folks like him who are still trying to contribute to the global needs of African people.
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By: wendell moss on 9/16/2008 11:50PM
god bless you all...I lived in Sierra Leone in 1981 1982.... IT CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER....
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By: regina allie on 9/21/2008 2:31PM
I applaud Amare's effort in Sierra Leone, and whether he has ancestry to my home or not should not be relevant. Those who have benefitted from some of her natural resources i.e diamonds in particular are not running back there to help rebuild this broken country. His effort should be seen as a challenge to anyone out there who sees a need and finds it in their heart to get involved. Thanks again.
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By: Alfred Sesay on 9/21/2008 11:21PM
I believe this is very important for the country of Sierra Leone. Stoudemire is an exceptional atheletic. This will inspire the rest of Sierra Leoneans outside of the country to comtrubute in their own little way for the development of the country. One wonders why will he even do that when he has other problems of his own in the United States. But this shows that this guy chose a career in which he can accomplish the most for mankind; the poor, and the poor people of Sierra Leone. We will not forget about you Stoudemire. Thank you.
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By: katie on 9/23/2008 2:28AM
I live in Phoenix and I met amare. He is one of the kindest and collest guys out there. I applaud him for always being involved. Go Amare!
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