September 28, 2015 By Hassan Gbassay Koroma
As a way of empathising with victims of the flood disaster on 16 September, the Children Media Foundation Sierra Leone donated food and non-food items, including bales of used clothes worth million of Leones, to thousands who have taken shelter at the national stadium.
Speaking to Concord Times in an interview, Media Director of Foundation, Eugenia Jarrett said they advocate for various rights of children in the country, including the right to education.
She said as a child group they are aware of the calamity that visited the country on 16 September, when people lost millions of Leones worth of properties and thousands were made homeless, while some died as a result of flooding.
She said their response was apt because it was meant to provide help and succour to their mothers, aunts, brothers and sisters with the little they have.
“What happened to you [children victims] is really sad; that is why we are here to tell you that no matter what happened you still have hope and we are asking you to take courage,” she said. “We know because of the flood you lost a lot of properties and today you are homeless and some of you even lost relatives, but we want you to know that all is not lost, God has a purpose to have allowed this happen to you.”
She urged the government to speed up with whatever plan they have for the victims so that the affected children can return to school and continue their normal learning.
Receiving the donated items, Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, Alhaji Moijueh Kaikai thanked the foundation and noted that their donation to child victims amply demonstrated that they have their peers at heart.