By Millicent Senava Mannah
Christian Aid Sierra Leone, an International Non- Governmental Organization, focusing on service delivery and humanitarian assistance, engaged the media in a press conference on the 21st February, 2023 geared towards giving highlights of the visit of the Chairman of the Christian Aid Board, the Chief Executive Officer and the Director of International Programs of Christian Aid. The engagement took place at the Organization’s office on 90 Sir Samuel Lewis Road, Aberdeen in Freetown.
Giving an overview of the engagement, the Country Director of Christian Aid SL, Mattia Koi Dimoh, stated that they decided to pay a courtesy visit to the country for them to see the work they have been doing as well as supporting over the years.
Speaking at the conference, the Chairman Christian Aid Board, Bishop Lord Sentamu, intimated that Christian Aid believes in life before death. He maintained that there is enough of what they have seen and experienced in their visit, and how that is what Christian Aid is trying to do.
‘’And to me that means raising the horizons of the people to look towards hope. To me, the meetings we have had actually persuaded me that Christian Aid is doing exactly what we stand for. ’’ He stated.
‘’That every man, woman, boy and girl, are created in God’s image and likeness, and they bare the very likeness of God, and therefore they must be treated with respect and dignity with justice and equality,’’ Bishop Lord Sentamu maintained.
Bishop Lord Sentamu commended the Christian Aid SL Board for the great work they have been doing and according to him, what they are doing is a real example of what Christian Aid is all about. He said when they go back they will like to see what have been accomplished in Sierra Leone replicated as a sort of a mirror in the 27 countries they are working.
He revealed how they had a chance to speak with the Inter-Religious Council, stating how they listened to what they have been doing and what their concerns were about his experience in Uganda and other African countries.
Bishop Lord Sentamu stated that elections are times for people to listen to those who are standing for offices and for eligible voters to be encouraged to vote. According to him, the larger the number of people who vote, the more likely they get a representative Government.
He disclosed how he told the leaders of the Inter-Religious Council that all Churches and all Mosques should encourage their members who are eligible to vote, to go out and vote on the day of election.
‘’A vote is one of the greatest gifts that democracy can give to individuals to express their opinions and their preferences for those whom they wish to be there.’’
The Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Watt, said they have had the opportunity to talk with Civil Society Organizations, and how they will be travelling to the provinces to see the work they have been doing. .
‘’Of course many things have changed for the better. When I was here in 2005, the country was in a post conflict phase. Nonetheless Sierra Leone is a country that has a lot of poverty as a lot of people in this country are unable to meet their most basic needs,’’ he stated.
‘’We are an organization that has always worked since we were founded 75 years ago, on both the effects of poverty and the causes, we have always carried out work through partnerships since 1988. When we start our work in Sierra Leone we worked alongside Civil Society partners. The instrument lies on our partnership, we actually work alongside our partners.’’ Patrick Watt asserted.
This Media engagement was climaxed with a Q and A session.
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