New England, Brookfields Hotel, Freetown, Thursday 12 May 2022 – His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio and the First Lady Madame Fatima Maada Bio celebrate the 25th anniversary of world vision international Sierra Leone, a Christian child Centre and community Empower organisation, especially the most vulnerable ones in the country.
In a welcome statement the chairman of the event Omaru Sesay said the gathering is to celebrate 25 years of existence and service to the children and people of Sierra Leone, especially the most vulnerable children and communities in Mama Salone, adding that they are pleased to have the President and First Lady as their guests of honour.
Alice Farmer a beneficiary of World Vision Sierra Leone, narrated that she grew up in a community where child protection issues such as Child Marriage, Teenage Pregnancy, Sexual Violence, and Child Labour among others exist, because World Vision worked in her community in building children resilience and community capacity, she was able to join the organisation advocacy group and further able to gain formal education as she is a third-year student at the Institute of Public Administration and Management, University of Sierra Leone, adding that the organisation invention has shaped her life as she has impacted the lives of so many children not only in her community but in the country as a whole and even beyond.
She concluded by thanking His Excellency the President for the punishment placed on perpetrators who abuse child right and encouraging World Vision to continue to protect children, advocate for children’s rights, and bring in programmes that address Child Protection issues, to continue to empower communities and enhance children resilience.
Irish Ambassador Claire Buckley, states that World Vision focuses on improving the lives of vulnerable children and freeing them from extreme poverty, adding that their mission strategic priority is to empower women and girls which is a firm priority to the President and First Lady.
Minister of planning and economic development Dr Francis Kaikai, said World vision has always aligned its programs with the priority of the government of Sierra Leone over the past years, adding that they are doing safe with the government’s medium-term national development plan 2019 to 2023
“World Vision is engaged in the President flagship programs in Education, Health as well as the created WASH program” he noted.
In his Keynote statement, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio said he is delighted to be gifted with the opportunity to celebrate the 25th anniversary with World Vision families, adding that the tireless effort of the organisation each day is a gift to vulnerable children with hope for a brighter future.
” I stand here on behalf of the citizen of our great nation to convey our deepest gratitude for your great effort and achievements throughout the years”
” As we ascend to become a more prosperous nation we remain resilient and hopeful for the eradication of extreme poverty, for a future with limitless possibilities for our children” he noted.
Strategic Communications Division,
Office of The First Lady.
Info@officeofthefirstlady.gov.sl
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