For over 40 years, two individuals in Fort Collins have maintained connections to the Republic of Sierra Leone, a country of nearly nine million people on the coast of West Africa. Join the couple and learn about the country and their experiences when “World Aware: Sierra Leone” is presented from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures.
Catherine and Richard Frazier first visited Sierra Leone in the 1970s as Peace Corps volunteers, serving as teachers in a small village. They returned in 2005, with their most recent trip in October 2024. Their presentation is co-sponsored by the Fort Collins International Center at Colorado State University.
Beginning with a brief history of Sierra Leone, the Fraziers will explore the country’s daily life, unique natural history, rice agriculture and education projects. They will outline the current events in Sierra Leone and its fascinating culture, cuisine and music, including palm wine guitar and West African reggae.
The Returned Peace Corps Volunteers will also describe the country’s links to Africa American life, the direct Gullah descendants from the slaves who labored on the rice plantations and the story of John Newton, the slave trader who authored the famous hymn, “Amazing Grace.” Sierra Leone is significant in the history of the transatlantic slave trade as the departure point for thousands of African captives.
Catherine and Richard Frazier spent most of their working life abroad, and they have taught in Saudi Arabia, Singapore and India. Since they retired in 2022, they’ve spent much of the year in Fort Collins and are active volunteers in the community.
Tickets to the presentation are $10 per person and available at globalvillagemuseum.org. The World Aware series is a collaborative effort between the Global Village Museum and the Fort Collins International Center to foster international understanding and cultural appreciation.
The Global Village Museum is located at 200 W. Mountain Ave., and museum hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information and closure dates during the change of exhibits, visit globalvillagemuseum.org or call 970.221.4600.