THE PANDA POEMS

This is the original collection of my feelings about everything that I have

lived to experience.

My name is Osman Panda, a Sierra leonean by birth. I was born

on September 24th 1952, in Wilberforce Freetown and married

with 5 children.

Attending the Wilberforce Primary school saw me going to the Prince

of Wales secondary school in 1965. Dropping out of school in the 3rd

form which is the equivalent of the 10th grade in 1968,I had another

opportunity to go back to school working for a judge. In 1969, not able

to satisfy his wife’s draconian rules, I had to step down again until 1976

when a philanthropist came to my aid Mr. Sahr Martin Ngombu Gbolie

of blessed memory founder and proprietor of Kono Model Academy, may

his soul rest in peace. He offered me board and lodging and free tuition for

two years, thereby helping me to graduate from high school in 1978.After

graduating he offered me a teaching job. As a sports teacher and assistant

teacher in government and religious knowledge, I served the school for

two years and eventually went to the Milton Margai’s Teachers college in

1980. I majored in Physical Education graduating as the student of the

year with a Higher Teachers Certifi cate in 1983. I taught for two more

years in my former school, K M A. Through the grace of the almighty God

I received a letter from the principal of the Bo Teachers College inviting

me to join the Physical Education Department in 1985.That journey

lasted until 1991 when I received another letter from the principal of the

only boarding school in The Gambia at that time ,the Armitage High

School. The most exciting and fruitful moments of my work experience

was realized in that country. Through the efforts of my dear wife Comfort

I eventually had the privilege to come to the US, where the idea of the

PANDA POEMS WAS BORN.