By Millicent Senava Mannah
In an engagement with the media, on the 24th February, 2023 at the organization’s office on 90 Sir Samuel Lewis Road, at Aberdeen in Freetown newsmen were informed that the Chairman of the Christian Aid Board and the Chief Executive Officer, who were on a working visit, are about to depart to England.
Stating the purpose of the engagement, the Country Director of Christian Aid SL, Mattia Koi Dimoh, intimated that the media engagement was held to give final highlights of the impressions of the Chairman of Christian Aid Board and the Chief Executive Officer during their visit as well as the key message they want to leave with the people of Sierra Leone as well as for them .
He maintained that it was a pleasure for them to have them here in the country throughout the week.
The Chairman Christian Aid Board, Bishop Lord Sentamu, commended the Press for reporting very accurately stating that all what was published in the different media outlets were what he said maintaining that the media has a great role to play in the nation.
He asserted that at the heart of Christian Aid is that all human beings should thrive. ‘’The greatest person is the one caring for others and serving others, looking out for their needs and concerns, and Christian Aid does not actually work alone,’’ he stated.
‘’Everywhere we have visited we have had a lot of partners, so Christian Aid in many ways is almost like a catalyst, is almost like yeast in the dough of bread that need to rise, but what rises is not the yeast but the bread itself,’’ Bishop Lord Sentamu stated euphemistically.
He continued that when they went to the province he saw the women dancing joyfully, and according to him these women should be given the space further expressing delight that during this year’s elections where there will be two men, one woman would be among.
‘’There is a Ugandan proverb that says anyone that wants to travel far travels in company of others, because if you lose the energy and the effort someone will pick you back up to make sure you get there, and therefore in Christian Aid we work in the company of others,’’ he stated.
He also admonished media practitioners not to tell people who to vote for but to encourage them to vote stating that the more people vote will help them get a representative Government.
Bishop Lord Sentamu commended the people of this country for their hospitality revealing how everywhere they went and visited they were shown great love and hospitality by the people.
The Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Watt, also commended the people of Sierra Leone for their love and hospitality, explaining how they receive great hospitality and generosity by everyone they have met.
‘’All this shows the strength of Sierra Leonean Civil Society which is so crucial to the long term prospect of this country in tackling poverty, creating conditions in which everybody is able to thrive through their potentials,’’ Watt stated.
According to him, they have been here for thirty five years and how he wishes they will be here for more years to come, stating how it will come a day when the Christian Aid work will be done in the country.
He maintained they will leave after their work is done here, but said it is important to ensure of leaving a lasting legacy.
‘’I am also being struck by the salient work we have been doing with our partners, women’s rights, gender equality, including women’s representation at local elections and politics, we work on women’s empowerment, we work with mobile banking services and so much more,’’ Watt revealed.
He disclosed that the work they have done in promoting community peace building is to ensure that the country continues to deepen and consolidate peaceful forms of engagements and how the work they do in terms of partnering and being accountable is to ensure that funding is used in ways that benefit society at large.
A Q and A session climaxed the media engagement.
