By Hajaratu Kalokoh
The international child rights group, Save the Children, has celebrated its 100 year anniversary by showcasing its achievements in Sierra Leone and the region. The celebration was held at the Radisson Blu Mamy Yoko Hotel on Thursday.
Save the Children Fund, which is commonly known as Save the Children, was formed by Eglantyne Jebb in 1919 in the United Kingdom with a focus to improve the lives of children. The NGO has worked extensively across the world in areas like education, health and emergency support in disaster struck and war-torn countries.
“We continue to follow the spirit of our founder by being bold, courageous and compassionate about the rights of children working tirelessly to address issues affecting children as well as being the voice of children. We remain committed to doing everything we can by supporting government, building partnerships with other like-minded organizations and increasing our advocacy efforts to ensure every child has the rights to survive, protection, development and participation,” the Country Director, Heather Campbell, said during the event.
In Sierra Leone, Save the Children played an important role in the fight against Ebola. The organization constructed and ran their own holding and treatment center at Kerry Town. Their work in the country started in 1999 and since then they have supported government agencies across different sectors in the country.
The Deputy Minister of Basic Senior and Secondary Education, Emily Gogra, commended the effort of the organization over the last 20 years in the country. She specifically praised their contribution to the lives of the country’s children.
“I met Save the Children in Kabala and met them at Kroobay with the girls whom they sent back to school, giving them second chance. I want to commend you and congratulate you,” Ms Gogra said.
Kadiatu Massaquoi, a seventeen year old who has given birth to two children, was married off at the age of 14 and she dropped out of school at JSS 3. Kadiatu is part of a program funded by Save the children, Sending Girls Back to School”.
She narrated her experience.
“I met Save the Children in my village in Jendema. With the help of Save the Children I am currently enrolled in skills training, which is tailoring, and this has positively impacted my life. Currently I sew for myself and my kids. However, I have told them that I want to pursue formal education again and they have agreed,” she said during the program.
Ambassador of Ireland to Sierra Leone, Lesley Ni Bhriain, said they have also collaborated with Save the Children on several other projects in the country.
“Our relationship began in 2013 with the implementation of Fambul Welbodi 1, 2 and 3 programs and the most recent multi annual project Gender Bizness. At the heart of the Irish Aid programs in Sierra Leone are women and girls, with the goal of equality, inclusion and the empowerment informing all our work,” she said.
She added: “we work closely with save the children, the leading children rights organization in the world. We believed that all children regardless of their circumstances and without exception have the rights to thrive and reach their full potential.”
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