AA flight attendants, Janet Thomas and Michele Silva are flying to Sierra Leone April 3, 2025 on a research mission to set up trips to visit the Diamond School of Arts and Culture. Let us know if you are interested by sending an email to angels@airlineamb.org.

Sadly they will just miss the Founder of the School, – Anthony Seydu (who has been visiting there in March- and lives in Spain) as he is flying to the United States to receive a prestigious award from the Sierraleonean Association of Musicians and Artists on April 4, 2025 in Maryland! See poster about the Award below.

*****

(Anthony) Seydu is a vocalist, songwriter, percussionist and luthier, who was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to a family of musicians. He grew up listening to the songs of his mother, mix Fullah and Mandingo, and assimilating the rhythms that his grandfather played on the drums. And these experiences have marked his musical identity. He has played with great artists including Stevie Wonder (in Spain) Alejandro Sanz, Kiko Veneno, Auserón Santiago, Miguel Bosé, Rosario Flores, Ketama, Serrat, Kepa Junkera, Youssou N’Dour and Lokua Kanza.

*****

Seydu founded an NGO, Diamond Child School of Arts & Culture in 2005 to provide an opportunity for disadvantaged children and youth in his country. We have been supporting this project, for the last few years. He spent the last month there and see the pictures to the right of him with some of the children.

You can see more about the project below:

Summary of Diamond School for Arts and Culture:

Over 400 students, (ages 5-14) who attend Diamond Child School (est. 2005) are at risk of dropping out if they aren’t guaranteed a balanced meal daily; for most, the only nutritious meal received in any given week. A healthy diet that includes vegetables and fruit boosts the immune system of these vulnerable “Diamonds”, especially during this lingering Covid-19 pandemic. A nutritious meal is key to helping students listen, focus, learn and stay healthy, while staying in school!

$25,000 total goal $6,085 remaining

Challenge

Many students at the Diamond Child School are undernourished. These children receive a small breakfast and balanced lunch in situ. Often, this is the child’s only meal of the day. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our ability to raise funds for this program has been impossible through traditional activities in Spain,where Diamond Child is headquartered. We need funds to continue this program because children can’t learn on an empty belly!

Solution

Our “Serving UP” project provides a balanced meal and snack to students throughout the academic year. The program boosts nutrition through its small ecological garden. The school garden offers hands on experience to understand basic seasonal farming, . This knowledge is useful outside class as essential lessons on planting at home: what to plant, when to plant it and how to administer foodstuffs.

Long-Term Impact

Securing and serving at least five healthy meals each week has supported improved performance by students in class. Good nutrition helps boost the child’s immune system and keep them in school. A pleasantly full tummy gives the child more energy which helps him focus, learn and achieve an educational background to build a successful life on! “Serving UP” offers nutrition which is the basis of success….in school…and in life.

what will a pne time donation do?

$25 – provides a daily meal to 1 student throughout the academic year.

$50 – provides a daily meal to 2 students throughout the academic year.

$100 – provides a daily meal to 4 students throughout the academic year.

$200 – provides a daily meal to 8 students throughout the academic year.

$400 – provides a daily meal to 16 students throughout the academic year.

$500 – provides a daily meal to 20 students throughout the academic year.

$750 – provides a daily meal to 30 students throughout the academic year.

$1,000 provides a daily meal to 40 students throughout the academic year.

What will a monthly donation do?

$25 – each recurring donation provides a daily meal for another student

$50 each recurring donation provides a daily meal for another 2 students

$100 – each recurring donation provides a daily meal for another 4 students

$200 – each recurring donation provides a daily meal for another 8 students

$400 – each recurring donation provides a daily meal for 16 students

$500 – provides a daily meal for another 20 studenst throughout the academic year.

$750 – provides a daily meal for another 30 students throughout the academic year.

$1,000 – provides a daily meal for another 40 students throughout the academic year.

You can support this project HERE!

He also wrote a song “Mami Wata” to support our effort a few years ago to provide water for the Hopi in the United States. The video below highlights our work with Clean Water Foundtion to showcase the delivery of water filters throughout the world- See below: