The Sierra Leone community in central Ohio is estimated to be about 4,000 strong, a number that is comprised of both Sierra Leoneans and Americans with ties to Sierra Leone. The community registered significant growth in the last decade or so, and this can be attributed primarily to relocations to the region from other parts of the state and the U.S, and since the late 1990s, to the resettlement / family reunification programs triggered off by the country’s civil war (1992 to 2002). Many view central Ohio as an ideal place to live, work, and raise a family. Their contribution to the State of Ohio is most evident in the education, business, local government, health care and service sectors
Twenty two Junior and Secondary School students from various schools in Sierra Leone have benefited from a scholarship grant of Le250,000 each awarded by the Sierra Leone Club of Columbus Ohio. These grant were presented on Friday September 12th 2008 in Freetown, by Professor Cecil Fyle, Margret Fyle, and Omaru Dumbuya on behalf of the club. The Director of Educational Programs at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Edna Jones conducted the ceremony .
The members of the club express their gratitude and thanks to Margaret Fyle, and the Scholarship Award Committee for bringing to fruition our first Scholarship Awards, and to Abass Bangura (president of the organization) and his executive for making this vision a reality.