Sonvae - Sierra Leone

Sonvae

Waiter

My father was born in Sierra Leone, and worked as a sailor in the Merchant Navy, travelling back and forth from Africa to the UK during the Second World War.

During a visit to the UK, he fell in love with my mum, and my parents settled in East London, where I was born.

I have been lucky enough to work in Parliament as part of the Banqueting Team since 1997. I love meeting people and never forget an order, or how someone likes their coffee – even when it is a year between visits. I think it’s one of the reasons why regulars seek me out for a chat.

I think of Parliament as a microcosm of the Commonwealth, because the staff are like a family of people who have roots across the world.