ASM: You were born in the US to Sierra Leonean Parents why have you decided you want to represent Sierra Leone instead of the US?
Hafsa: Sierra Leone is my country. If someone was to ask me what my nationality is, I would reply “I am the true African American”. I was born in the US but my heart and blood is from Sierra Leone. We are a nation of strength and perseverance. We have endured so much turmoil and yet we continue to stand. I want to be a part of that. I am proud of who I am and I want to show other Sierra Leonean Americans how much we have to be proud of.
ASM: Have you even been to Sierra Leone?
Hafsa: Yes; as children my younger siblings and I were sent to Sierra Leone to be raised by our grandparents. We were there until the war started. The US government sent a letter to my grandfather request that my siblings and I be back to the US, since we were American citizens. Since then, I haven’t been back. Now that I am competing for Sierra Leone, I am planning on going back as soon as I can.
ASM: You have attended a few international Meets for Sierra Leone; tell us about your experiences:
Hafsa: It was amazing! Both international competitions (West African Region II
Championship, Burkina Faso & 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Scotland) were experiences I will forever remember. The competition in Burkina Faso is definitely one I am blessed to have a chance to compete in. I was in a country far from home and competing with teammates that I was just meeting for the first time. The stadium was placed in the middle of a village so I did not have access to my phone, laptop, or internet.
I was basically living off the grid for a week and I loved it! I got to know my teammates, other team members and the people of the village. It was a chance for me to really connect with people beyond the norm.
Hafsatu Kamara in tradional Sierra Leone garb at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland