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 wifes 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 Margais 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.
