KRB Update #2167 Hosting the President & Vice President of the nation of Sierra Leone

Keith R. Brinkman
Hosting the President & Vice President June 9, 2011

After receiving notification of their acceptance of our invitation for a visit to the Africa Mercy, my mind started to race. As for this special event, the Managing Director asked me to be the Protocol Officer. I wasn’t the first choice as others have more experience than I do in West Africa. In the past, I have been involved in various ways for these VIP events. So I recalled aspects of our past successes and lessons learned.

Though in this case my focus was more on the areas related to protocol: seating arrangement, invited guests, the receiving line, how much time they will have for the visit, connection with patients in the hospital, presentation of the gift, length of time for him to respond, tour route options, refreshment preferences, salutations/titles, assist those giving speeches with important information, etc.. We all worked well together here on board – what a team! I am very grateful for the assistance of State Chief of Protocol for His Excellency, Mr. Kpukumu. He was friendly and helpful, answering my questions, reviewing our proposed agenda and offering input and suggestions. I wasn’t sure if their protocol and security would allow both the President and the Vice President to visit at the same time, but it does and they thought that would be good for them and good for us at the same time.

We extended a special invitation to a former maxillofacial patient named Hawa from Sierra Leone to come and to hand the flowers to the President as he exited his vehicle. During the speech by our Chief Medical Officer in our International Lounge, he shared more of Hawa’s story including pre- and post-operative photos and she was invited to the front to greet the President and the Vice President.

After doing research about both men, I learned that the Vice President comes from Kono district and the President from the Makeni area. I had the thought that it would be great and more personal for them to meet patients from their home town areas. Working with the charge nurses, we approached the caregivers and patients to ensure they were ok with our plan and all were. How cool to meet the leaders of your nation! Though, some were a little shy with the large party coming in all at the same time.

When the time came for the President’s response, he came to the podium and it appears laid his written speech to the side and just spoke from his heart and what he felt coming on board and seeing the patients and all. We are very grateful as the President is the one who through the protocol invited us to his nation.
The big event took place on Friday, May 27^th a couple hours later than planned, but they were at the State House conducting affairs of the government. It was a success and involved dozens of people from all departments on the ship doing their part and from the staff of the President and Vice President. Their visit coincided with our International Board of Director’s annual meeting on board, though regretfully not all of the board members arrived in time for the event, some were en route as the event took place. Though, we were able to involve the International Board Members in the receiving line, official welcomes and a time of refreshments with the President at the end. I am grateful that all went well.

Prayer Request: For the nation and the people of Sierra Leone.

Serving Together,

Keith
Email: keith.brinkman@yahoo.com www.KeithBrinkman.com

Mail: Keith R. Brinkman, Mercy Ships, P.O. Box 2020, Lindale, TX 75771 USA

Schedule: Sierra Leone Field Service February 27 – December 8, 2011