Memorials dedicated to Daphne Sawyerr-Dunn

Dear Member,

Not quite two weeks ago I traveled to Washington DC from my home in Georgia in order to host the FoSL reception for the new US Ambassador to Sierra Leone. In getting ready for the reception, I never worried about refreshments once Daphne said she would take care of it. You see, Daphne always took care of details like food, decorations, refreshments and programs. Once she was on it ? you didn't think about it again because you knew things would magically appear at the right time and be just what the occasion called for.

Earlier today I received the first of several phone calls telling me that Daphne had died. At first my mind refused to accept that news and kept trying to convince me that there had been a horrible mistake. Only after Aiah called me to tell me he had verification from the family did I have to acknowledge that someone very dear had left us.

For those of you who know Daphne, you already know what I am relaying in this email. For those of you who don't, I hope this helps explain who Daphne was and what she meant to all of us.

She was from Freetown and had lived in the States for some time. She worked at the World Bank. She was married to Wynford Dunn. She had a mother and a sister. She had relatives in Sierra Leone and the States. She was a daughter, a wife, a niece, an aunt, and a friend to many people including some who didn't even know her name.

People who served on the Board of Directors for Friends of Sierra Leone before me will tell you that Daphne's work has been going on for a very long time. If you can remember when the US granted Sierra Leoneans TPS, Daphne worked on that. I learned from her only recently that in previous years FoSL members in the DC area had lobbied for TPS for Ethiopians because they needed more voices than they had available. Daphne was part of that. You may remember FoSL sponsored several amputee victims from the war in Sierra Leone to come to the States for prosthetics. Daphne was one of the people behind that. Anytime there was an event in Washington for FoSL, Daphne helped plan it, put it on and clean up after it. If FoSL needed to send members to the Hill for an advocacy issue - be it TPS, DED, or the return to Salone by the Peace Corps, you knew that Daphne would be taking a day off from work to visit congressional offices, the Peace Corps offices or the Sierra Leonean Embassy.

Who can count the times that a news article concerning Sierra Leone or Sierra Leoneans showed up in the day's emails ? sent by Daphne. Anyone who needed to know anything about Sierra Leone could count on Daphne to either tell them or find out for them. Carpet shoes? She knew. Shipments to Sierra Leone. Phone numbers appear. Available services in Freetown? Just ask. Who was the current minister of whatever? Ask Daphne. Who was the previous minister of whatever? She knew that too. If I needed to communicate with the Sierra Leonean Embassy in Washington, I let Daphne know. She simply took care of whatever needed taking care of.

As I said, Daphne had been around the FoSL Board of Directors long before I showed up. Yet, she was never a "Board of Directors" member. She refused to be an "official" board member. The most we could get her to agree to was to be referred to as "Annual Meeting" which had to do with her taking care of all the meeting chores mentioned earlier. The reason she chose to do this was simple. If she was not a board member, she could contribute where and when she felt she was useful. If she could help ? she did. I asked her more than once about her reason for not being a board member even though she was one of our most active members. Through the reasons that she gave, I finally decided that the simple fact was ? Daphne was a very private person. She never wanted to be the center of attention and she never wanted to share her personal challenges with any but a very few. I think this was her desire to not burden the people she cared about.

This was never more obvious than a few months ago. For some inexplicable reason, Daphne pretty much dropped out of sight. She didn't send emails or respond to them. Phone calls went unreturned. Those of us who worked with her from a distance were alarmed. We had no idea what was going on.

As it turns out, Daphne was becoming more and more ill. Typical Daphne, she never complained. Only later we found out that she had congestive heart problems and that even when she was trekking about Washington with various board members on various projects, she was suffering. She finally shared her health problems with some of us and we were astounded to learn just how sick she was. But, she took a leave of absence from the World Bank and began a regime of medicine and treatment which we all happily assumed would take care of the problem.

We were wrong. Not quite two weeks ago I traveled to Washington to host the reception mentioned earlier. As expected, Daphne appeared carrying trays of food, table cloths, and decorations. She set about putting everything in order and making it look nice in addition. Food was put in warming pans, utensils arranged, plates and napkins laid out and guests were happy. But, I couldn't help but notice that she wasn't able to move about without taking frequent rests ? literally sitting down to catch her breath. I was alarmed and asked her about it. She had told me in an earlier phone call that she was possibly going to have surgery and now she told me that the doctors had told her she must have the surgery. She told me she was anxious about it. I told her that putting it off couldn't be good for her and she said she knew that. She said she was going to set it up very soon. As I left to catch my flight, Anthony McMillon assured me that he would make sure she didn't try to clean up everything by herself. Thank you for that Anthony.

As he took me to the airport to catch my flight, Aiah voiced his concerns to me about her. I agreed that she really didn't seem well. Still, I foolishly thought that once she had the surgery, everything would be fine. In fact, she had told me that next summer when we go to Sierra Leone for the 2008 Annual Meeting, she would accompany me upcountry when I visited various villages. Amazingly, Daphne was born and raised in Freetown, but, with the exception of a visit to Moyamba as a young girl, she had never traveled outside of Freetown in Sierra Leone. She had traveled in other countries, but not her own. We made plans to see the Bo area on our next visit to Salone. I was excited to think I would be with her when she saw her own country for the first time.

This morning I had a phone call from Aiah. He gave me the news that I still don't want to believe. I am sad tonight, but I am also mad. How could this happen? Daphne wasn't old and she wasn't in a third world country. But it did happen. And now we are left to hold on to each other and get through the sad days ahead. In spite of this incredible sadness, there is a happiness that I feel. I knew her. I counted her as a friend. It wasn't until I got an email from a new member who asked me to fill her in on exactly who Daphne Sawyer-Dunn was that I realized how lucky I was. She was my friend. For those of you who knew her better than I did, and there are many, you are even luckier. We are all better people because Daphne Sawyer-Dunn was in our lives. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

Good bye my friend.

Peggy

Daphne was a resource of information about anything relating to Sierra Leone. She was one of the main reasons that I wanted to keep my FOSL emails coming. Daphne was a wonderful person who I only met once, but who I will miss badly.
Tom

Peggy & All,

Your well chosen words below indeed tell the story of our valued member and friend, Daphne. She was a unique person in many ways as you so eloquently state.

I have had the privilege of knowing and working closely with her in the past few years. As you and others have already said, her total commitment to helping fellow Sierra Leoneans and offering support to any cause related to her native country are too numerous to list. Everyone who knew her had the same impression. She was a friendly, humble, compassionate woman who saw her duty as fostering a positive image for Sierra Leone whenever and wherever she could. To say that Daphne will be missed is inadequate because her presence in the Diaspora was immense. She not only served the FoSL organization well, but many individuals from Sierra Leone as well. Her example of personally caring for and advancing the cause of Sierra Leone and its people will be her legacy which will inspire all us to carry on her work.

Daphne has gone on to her eternal reward. May her soul rest in peace.

Jim

Daphne is a loss to us all. Thanks for sharing your experiences and allowing us to know her. I feel privileged.
May the good Lord grant her eternal rest. I pray for her family and us all too. Unfortunately, I live in MA and would not be able to attend her funeral service. However, let me know the address to mail a donation.
Thanks again and hold thy faith!
Peace,
MariaTou

The last time I saw Daphne was at the annual meeting in Silver Spring, MD. She was so beautiful in her long white gown and white head tie, and had her usual gracious, welcoming manner. I will always remember her that way. I had the privilege of knowing Daphne for about ten years. She helped to organize every conference and kept things running smoothly. Once I collected gently used school books suitable for younger children [in English of course] and then wasnn't sure how to get them to Sierra Leone [the post office had strict weight limits]. Daphne figured it out, the books were sent with a shipment of food, medical supplies, etc. by sea freight. [Can we still do this?] She was possibly the most resourceful person I ever knew, and yet managed all her many accomplishments with grace and modesty.
God rest her soul, she deserves a special place in heaven
. Sarah M.G.

The past few days have been very difficult. Like everyone that knew Daphne, I am dealing with a lot of emotions ? I am sad, angry, and tearful while trying to keep a positive attitude as Daphne always did about everything!

Daphne was a remarkable woman; concern for others was paramount in her life. My last conversation with her was about the TPS extension for Liberians; she called to tell me the news immediately she found out, then immediately she something in the line of?why can't this happen for Sierra Leoneans? Daphne's thoughtfulness was beyond words.

Daphne's death is a terrible tragedy to all who knew her and those whose lives she touched. I cannot believe she is gone; this is very difficult for me and I am sure it is for you too. I am finding some comfort in the piece below by Henry Scott-Holland (1847-1918, Canon of St Paull's Cathedral.) I hope you find it comforting too. I believe Daphne is in her Heavenly Father's embrace to enjoy the same love and care she so generously gave and showed to the world through her life.

Etta Toure

Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other
That we are still
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way you always used
Put no difference into your tone
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed
At the little jokes we always enjoyed together
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was
Let it be spoken without effort
Without the ghost of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolute unbroken continuity
What is death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind
Because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you for an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner
All is well.
Nothing is past; nothing is lost
One brief moment and all will be as it was before
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!

THE WORLD BANK/IFC/MIG
August 15, 2007

It is with deep regret that I inform her many friends and colleagues in the World Bank Group of the death of Ms. Daphne Sawyerr-Dunn, who passed away unexpectedly on August 6, 2007.

Daphne was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone on June 14, 1955. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from California State University in 1985.

Daphne joined the World Bank Group in September 1994 as Staff Assistant for the Contract Temp Assignment Program. In November 1999 she was selected as Program Assistant for Europe and Central Asia, Environmentally & Socially Sustainable Development Sector Unit (ECSSD), the position she held until her death.

Daphne was greatly admired for her professionalism, integrity and commitment to her work. She was nominated for the Excellence Award for her significant contribution to the department. She was well respected for her character and her kindness. Her talents were utilized in her role as an active member of the Staff Association. She will be greatly missed by all of her colleagues in ECA and throughout the Bank.

Outside of the Bank, Daphne was very active in the Sierra Leonean community and helped new residents settle in the United States by sharing information about immigration and other issues of importance. She was a member of Friends of Sierra Leone, a non-profit organization which is considered a major advocate for Sierra Leonean issues in the United States. With grace and candor, Daphne supported ongoing projects and activities in the community. Daphne had the quality of understanding people of all backgrounds and was a mentor to many. She treated everyone with respect and earned the respect of others.

Our deepest sympathy is extended to her husband, Wynford A. Dunn, her mother, Annie R. Sawyerr, as well as other members of her family.

The viewing will take place on Friday, August 17, 2007, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 20904 (301-622-2290). The funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at The Episcopal Church of Our Saviour, 1700 Powder Mill Road, Silver Spring, MD 20903, (301-439-5900). Another viewing will take place one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at The George Washington Mt. Lebanon Cemetery, 9500 Riggs Road, Adelphi, MD 20783. Repast will follow after the interment at Nu Horizon, 2120 Industrial Parkway, Silver Spring, MD 20904.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be sent in Daphne's name to: "Friends of Sierra Leone" Organization (Fosalone.org) for a scholarship fund in her memory.

Aulikki Kuusela
Acting Vice President
Human Resources Services

Dear Friends,
OUR CONDOLENCES
It was with great shock and sorrow that we heard that our sister, Daphne was no longer with us, having been called away by our Father in Heaven Daphne was a Sierra Leonean who deeply cared for her compatriots. Her presence both at the Embassy and the Sierra Leone community in the Washington metropolis will surely be missed. She worked hard with the Friends Of Sierra Leone (FOSL) to help uplift the citizens and the country especially during one of the darkest periods in our country's history. Our thoughts and prayers are with all members of the FOSL. We hope that our Sierra Leonean brothers and sisters in the United States will take a page from Daphne's life and continue to join efforts with the FOSL for the betterment of our country. May God grant us the courage and succor to withstand the loss of a very strong member of FOSL and daughter of our beloved country.
May her soul rest in perfect peace.
Sheku Mesali
For Ambassador and Staff

Good morning to Wynford, Desmond, other family members and friends. stand before you today representing Friends of Sierra Leone and as a friend of Daphne's. As I read through tributes to Daphne and thought about my own experiences, I was overwhelmed by both my sense of loss and my sense of awe. Who among us here today can hope to have our own passing noticed by so many people in so many places? It is an incredible tribute to this lovely woman that people across more than one continent grieved so deeply when learning of her passing.

Have you ever met anyone who loved her fellow countrymen more or who was more committed to improving the quality of life for the citizens of Sierra Leone than Daphne? Did you ever ask her a question about Sierra Leone that she couldn't answer? Most of the time when I received a request about some aspect of Sierra Leone, Daphne would be the one to supply the answer. It didn't matter if it was about something to do with food, an elected official, or something as practical as making a shipment to Freetown. Daphne knew it.

Friends of Sierra Leone is an eclectic group. We are made up of returned Peace Corps Volunteers, Sierra Leoneans, and friends and family of both. We are by nature activists. Daphne was our natural big sister. She was our teacher, our mentor and our friend. She taught us not by lectures, but by example. Those of us who were privileged enough to work with her knew instinctively that she knew the path and we followed where she led. I can't begin to count the times that decisions were prefaced by "well Daphne says." She inspired confidence and a desire to go that extra step. Daphne Sawyerr-Dunn was the ultimate role model for our sisters, our daughters, and ourselves.

Friends of Sierra Leone returned to Sierra Leone in 2004 to hold our annual meeting. Other members had been responsible for booking a meeting hall and plane tickets and such. Among other duties, Daphne was responsible for getting everyone fed. That was a job that she did well. If there was a meeting, Daphne made sure that people didn't go hungry. I remember sitting at the China House in Freetown and realizing that while others' work was done, Daphne's was not. She had traveled home, but she was spending her time taking care of others. That was Daphne. She took care of others even when she should have been taking care of herself.

When the Friends of Sierra Leone advocacy committee visited Capitol Hill, Daphne would take a day from work to go with them. She would go from office to office representing the citizens of Sierra Leone ? whether they were part of the Diaspora or children in a village upcountry in Salone. She represented them all equally and well. I was with her during a visit to the Peace Corps offices in Washington. Daphne, Judy Figi and I had spent the day visiting congressional offices trying to convince staffers of the need to send the Peace Corps back to Sierra Leone. When we reached the Peace Corps offices, they listened to Judy and me while we earnestly explained to them why the Peace Corps needed to return to Sierra Leone. Unexpectedly, the official from the Peace Corps looked at Daphne and said, "Tell me why the Peace Corps needs to return to Sierra Leone." She very eloquently did so and made a much bigger impact than Judy or I did.

During my tenure as President of Friends of Sierra Leone, I have often been totally unsure of what I should do concerning various situations. When I thought it was serious enough, I always knew who to talk to ? Daphne Sawyerr-Dunn. I knew I could email or call Daphne and she would take as much time as needed to help me reach a decision. She was always calm, composed and used her gift of enabling others to find the correct answer for themselves.

Linda Slonksnes, a long time member of Friends of Sierra Leone and a past board member, summed Daphne up in the following tribute:

I've never met anyone more committed to her homeland. She did it all behind the scenes. Never one to take the title of leadership, she could not help but assume leadership roles anywhere she went. She didn't want the title; she wanted the action. Titles meant little to her. She would call on the highest or lowest levels of government or society if it meant improved living for Sierra Leoneans. Daphne worked for progress at every corner, every turn. And she worked! She initiated action. She advocated at the State Department for continued temporary protective status of Sierra Leoneans living in the United States. She prepared any event with proper decor, food and agenda. She knew every US Ambassador to Sierra Leone and they knew her. She pushed projects and scholarships and organization. She did all of this with a constant illness and without complaint.

At the end of a long mahogany table in the US House of Representative sat Daphne Sawyerr-Dunn. Many Congressmen and women posed questions to children who had lost their arms or legs in the war. Daphne interpreted between English and Krio for both, after having been an integral part of the work to make the hearing and testimony happen. This picture in my mind exemplifies Daphne's life. The mediator. The interpreter for the oppressed. The advocate. Even in Heaven, I can already see her advocating at the door of the Authority to pull Sierra Leone into prosperity. Perhaps that is why He called her. He needed a trusted Advisor on those issues. Ah, but she won't take the Title. But she will initiate and follow-through on the actions. And she will make arrangements for the proper welcome of all her countrymen and women who will forevermore come through the gate she herself had just walked through.
        For the world, lost determination and knowledge.
        For Sierra Leone, a lost patriot.
        For me, a lost mentor and friend.
        But I have not lost, cannot lose, the inspiration that remains with her memory.

From all of us at Friends of Sierra Leone, we want to tell her family how very dear Daphne was to us. We will miss her with you. And we thank you for sharing her with us. To Daphne, thank you and may your soul rest in perfect everlasting peace.

A TRIBUTE
to
Daphne Sawyerr-Dunn

By Aiah Fanday

Since I received the call that Daphne had passed away, I have wondered how she might have wished to be remembered on a day like this. I believed she would have liked for us to celebrate her life and accomplishments. Daphne, the circumstances of your death have caused all your relatives, friends and colleagues great emotional pains. The final hour of your life came too suddenly for us to say goodbye. You are gone, but not forgotten.

Please allow me a brief moment to discuss a few things I wanted to share with you when we were last together. I wanted to tell you that you were a friend, sister, colleague, and indeed a great wife. You were kind and extremely helpful to others. For the short time you spent on this earth, you have touched the lives of many persons who were suffering and celebrated with those who were joyful. Daphne your death is a terrible tragedy to all who knew you and those whose lives you've touched. You were a true TEAM PLAYER who placed the well-being of others above your personal gratification.

Daphne, you were a happy and confident person. You were not jealous of the accomplishments of others. You always recognized the strengths and weaknesses of others. You were never bashful to ask for help when you needed it or offer help when others needed it in turn. You enjoyed life fully, although not as long as some of us would have liked.

You were always interested in learning. By every standard, you were an educated person, but you never stopped learning or pursuing of excellence. At both the FoSL and The World Bank, you were greatly admired for your professionalism, integrity and commitment to your work. You were nominated for the Excellence Award at The World Bank for your significant contribution to your department. FoSL gave you numerous awards for your tireless service to the organization and your country. You were well respected for your character and kindness. Your talents and contacts were utilized for all FoSL functions and activities both in the US and Sierra Leone.

On behalf of Friends of Sierra Leone, I remembered when we walked the halls of Congress to lobby for your fellow Sierra Leoneans to gained Temporary Protected Service (TPS); lobbied State Department and the Peace Corps Offices for the return of Peace Corps to Sierra Leone - Unfortunately, you would not be around to see the success of some of these ventures we undertook. Only God knows why?

I have many other memories to share with you. I only wish that we had time to say goodbye more appropriate before today. Since that was not possible, I have come to say openly that you meant a great deal to all of us here today, especially to the Friends of Sierra Leone. The persons who have come in contact with you speak very highly of your love, concern for others and great service to your community, family and country. All of us will miss you dearly. We are saddened that some of us did not give you the flowers and accolades while you were alive.

Goodbye, my friend, my sister. Until we meet again!!

MAY YOU REST IN PERFECT PEACE!

Daphne:

Today is August 7, 2007. I could not believe my ears. Sylvia called me this morning and, in tears, asked if I heard what happened to "our friend ", meaning you.

I was speechless. We spoke last Friday, and you told me the surgery was on Monday August 6th. I said to you "all will be well " and "thank God you are in America where you will have the best medical care "!! You agreed with me. On Monday night, I called your cell phone and left you a voice mail message, hoping that the surgery went well, and telling you that you were in my prayers. This morning, I got the news I was never expecting.

Daphne, I only knew you since 1997, and since then you had become part of my family. You were one of the most helpful Sierra Leoneans I ever met. You had a good heart! Daphne, now that you are gone, who will be sending me daily news updates about Sierra Leone? The vacuum you have left will be difficult to fill. Remember, you are leaving behind a grieving husband, mother, grieving siblings and innumerable friends. You have touched the lives of so many Sierra Leoneans. Please let this be a hoax, and please come back. We need you on earth!!

Your dear friend
Emmanuel

Although I did not know Daphne as well as you all, I certainly feel blessed and lucky to have met her in my capacity as the Peace Corps Country Desk Officer for Sierra Leone on a couple of occasions during her visits to the Peace Corps office in DC and at local FoSL sponsored functions in DC. Thank you Peggy for sharing with us how closely she touched you and several others through her selfless and ever so thoughtful ways. What a beautiful woman she was and someone who I'm sure will live on in the hearts of so many people, especially the ones she touched. May God bless her and her family always.

With fond memories,

Paul Johnson