By Politico Staff Writer
Some 100 children in Bo, Southern Sierra Leone have received radio, face masks and other items as donation from the German Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Horst Gruner. The gesture, according to benefactor, was geared towards showing solidarity and support to children affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.
In a statement at the handing over ceremony last week, Ambassador Gruner noted that the government and people of Germany loved the people of Sierra Leone and that they would always want the relationship to continue.
According to Ambassador Gruner, on the 3rd of October this year, Germany celebrated 30 years of reunification. He noted that the embassy usually celebrates the day in Freetown, but that because of Convid-19, they decided to move to the provinces to celebrate with children who have suffered because of the pandemic and those who have been abused.
The German Ambassador added that he decided to give one radio to each child because they were very important instrument to learn about the world.
“Radios are very important and are widows to the world. Children should listen to news and educative programs on radio," he said.
Speaking on the abuse of children, especially the girls, Ambassador Gruner said there are lots of children that have been abused in Sierra Leone and that Germany will help the Government of Sierra Leone to ensure that those who abused girls and children do not go unpunished. He went on to note that Germany work with UN women to ensure that they help out those who feel left out and give support to children especially those who are abused, stressing that children should remain children until they reach 18years.
In her statement, Mary Okumu, Country Representative of the UN Women, warned that Gender Based Violence is in the increase and that the world is against it and people should stop abusing girls.
She acknowledged the work of the advocacy and welfare home, Commit and Act, working in Bo for their support to abused girls, noting that the stories they heard at the home during their visit were pathetic.
Hannah Bockarie, Head of Commit and Act foundation, noted that she got her inspiration to support victims of sexual abuse after she was sexually abused during Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war. She added that the manner in which girls are abused in the country is worrisome and that one way to bring them together was by providing shelter for them.
Bockarie went on to note that girls as young as seven months old, 3 years old, etc., are sexually abused and they are mostly brought to her home to be away from the communities where they were abused.
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