My Thoughts: The 21st Tegloma Organization
By Victor A. Massaquoi
March 30, 2008
Looking at Tegloma International, Inc., from an impartial posture, one is tempted to raise many questions as to its purpose in our contemporary world, hence the central question becomes, strategically, where does one see Tegloma in the next five years?
Tegloma International, Inc., as an organization, faces multiple socio-economic and political challenges just like other non-profit organizations in the United States and across the globe: financial resources are fast becoming finite, differences in political views are becoming nasty, social needs are increasing lips and bounce, human daily living is becoming desperate, bedeviled by HIV/AIDS and poor educational standards, massive poverty, increased violence against women, explosive child homelessness/labor, rampant street begging in the motherland, and incredible increase in crime rates and more. All these issues need swift and adequate response, from organizations like Tegloma, which has a social mission to: “…plan and implement programs that have the potential of positively impacting the quality of life of its members and the community in which they serve…promote and support the charitable, social, educational and cultural welfare…”(Tegloma Constitution, 2007).
This mission of Tegloma is loaded and timely (although, it can be improved) to help reduce or erase the social challenges of the 21st century, but how prepared are we? The trajectory (in the last 30 years) of Teglom’s history, the evolution of its philosophy and social principles, can be described as impressive, to some extent, but still in serious need of additional and ceaseless flow of resources from its members and communities, to help meet the social demands of our country and our members. Tegloma can only be a viable, productive, competitive and useful entity in Sierra Leone, and to its members in the Diaspora, only when its members work as a unit, devoid of unnecessary, hate-filled political vendetta that is dangerously and surreptitiously damaging the central fabric of this fine organization.
This short but relevant piece is for our members and supporters, designed to showcase the potential of this organization, its current activities, to make the case for more honest and open dialogue, galvanize membership participation in current and future projects, and set aside petty differences and personal egos for the common good of the organization.
My recent visit to my homeland, Sierra Leone, was phenomenal, though private, yet I spent huge amount of time doing Tegloma’s work (successful scholarship presentation, ongoing registration of Tegloma as an NGO and initiating partnership discussion with NGOs), because I believe in the central thesis of volunteering for positive social change, and also, trust the philosophical ideals of Tegloma. My experiences during my four-week stay were unparalleled, because of what I saw and did to help make a difference in the lives of those with little opportunity (or none at all) and privilege. So, as we move ahead in the next five years, and to help address some of the above problems in Sierra Leone, Tegloma would be grounding itself in firm footing if we re-align our strategic social objectives by doing the following:
1) Partnering with other non-profit organizations, with similar objectives and missions to address pertinent social issues that befall our people, since we are yet to gain full NGO status (the process is on). If done, we would be executing our social responsibilities, while at the same time, lifting a fraction of our people from the grips of poverty.
2) Moving fast to develop the land in Bo with diverse (e.g. health and educational facilities) built on it.
3) Running Tegloma as a competitive non-profit organization, with offices and officers with administrative and program development duties, that way, we will be increasing our visibility, wile at the same time developing new programs that meet our mission statement and philosophical principles that under-gird our existence as an organization.
4) Investing part of our money in Sierra Leone, on low risk financial ventures, rather than having the money in the bank yielding virtually nothing for us.
5) Opening new Tegloma branch in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone, to demonstrate and solidify our claim of national diversity.
These are bold recommendations designed to stir-up conversation; we may not agree with all or some, but please make your voices heard at this crucial period in the life of Tegloma. Posterity will hold some of us responsible should we fail in our attempt to address critical social challenges in Sierra Leone, and remove our people from the dungeons of abject poverty. The odds are stacked against us, but with fortitude, constructive criticism, hard work and unity, the sky would be our limit; failure is not an option, but we should prepare for it. Remember, “Those who never fail are those who never try”-Og Madingo. It may be rough, but remember the ultimate prize—helping our people obtain a better life.
What do you think?
-30-
By Victor A. Massaquoi
March 30, 2008
Looking at Tegloma International, Inc., from an impartial posture, one is tempted to raise many questions as to its purpose in our contemporary world, hence the central question becomes, strategically, where does one see Tegloma in the next five years?
Tegloma International, Inc., as an organization, faces multiple socio-economic and political challenges just like other non-profit organizations in the United States and across the globe: financial resources are fast becoming finite, differences in political views are becoming nasty, social needs are increasing lips and bounce, human daily living is becoming desperate, bedeviled by HIV/AIDS and poor educational standards, massive poverty, increased violence against women, explosive child homelessness/labor, rampant street begging in the motherland, and incredible increase in crime rates and more. All these issues need swift and adequate response, from organizations like Tegloma, which has a social mission to: “…plan and implement programs that have the potential of positively impacting the quality of life of its members and the community in which they serve…promote and support the charitable, social, educational and cultural welfare…”(Tegloma Constitution, 2007).
This mission of Tegloma is loaded and timely (although, it can be improved) to help reduce or erase the social challenges of the 21st century, but how prepared are we? The trajectory (in the last 30 years) of Teglom’s history, the evolution of its philosophy and social principles, can be described as impressive, to some extent, but still in serious need of additional and ceaseless flow of resources from its members and communities, to help meet the social demands of our country and our members. Tegloma can only be a viable, productive, competitive and useful entity in Sierra Leone, and to its members in the Diaspora, only when its members work as a unit, devoid of unnecessary, hate-filled political vendetta that is dangerously and surreptitiously damaging the central fabric of this fine organization.
This short but relevant piece is for our members and supporters, designed to showcase the potential of this organization, its current activities, to make the case for more honest and open dialogue, galvanize membership participation in current and future projects, and set aside petty differences and personal egos for the common good of the organization.
My recent visit to my homeland, Sierra Leone, was phenomenal, though private, yet I spent huge amount of time doing Tegloma’s work (successful scholarship presentation, ongoing registration of Tegloma as an NGO and initiating partnership discussion with NGOs), because I believe in the central thesis of volunteering for positive social change, and also, trust the philosophical ideals of Tegloma. My experiences during my four-week stay were unparalleled, because of what I saw and did to help make a difference in the lives of those with little opportunity (or none at all) and privilege. So, as we move ahead in the next five years, and to help address some of the above problems in Sierra Leone, Tegloma would be grounding itself in firm footing if we re-align our strategic social objectives by doing the following:
1) Partnering with other non-profit organizations, with similar objectives and missions to address pertinent social issues that befall our people, since we are yet to gain full NGO status (the process is on). If done, we would be executing our social responsibilities, while at the same time, lifting a fraction of our people from the grips of poverty.
2) Moving fast to develop the land in Bo with diverse (e.g. health and educational facilities) built on it.
3) Running Tegloma as a competitive non-profit organization, with offices and officers with administrative and program development duties, that way, we will be increasing our visibility, wile at the same time developing new programs that meet our mission statement and philosophical principles that under-gird our existence as an organization.
4) Investing part of our money in Sierra Leone, on low risk financial ventures, rather than having the money in the bank yielding virtually nothing for us.
5) Opening new Tegloma branch in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone, to demonstrate and solidify our claim of national diversity.
These are bold recommendations designed to stir-up conversation; we may not agree with all or some, but please make your voices heard at this crucial period in the life of Tegloma. Posterity will hold some of us responsible should we fail in our attempt to address critical social challenges in Sierra Leone, and remove our people from the dungeons of abject poverty. The odds are stacked against us, but with fortitude, constructive criticism, hard work and unity, the sky would be our limit; failure is not an option, but we should prepare for it. Remember, “Those who never fail are those who never try”-Og Madingo. It may be rough, but remember the ultimate prize—helping our people obtain a better life.
What do you think?
-30-
posted by Vickylandys | 6:50 AM
1 Comments:
I agree with your proposed Strategic Social Objectives for Tegloma. I believe that if adopted and replicated by other like organisations it would be a good catalyst for overal change in Sierra Leone.
Points 1 & 2 when well integrated forms the basis for the start of a common wealth for Sierra Leoneans.
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