By Amin Kef Sesay
As part of its celebration of Nelson Mandela International Day and in fulfilment of its mandate to seek the welfare of, and defend the rights of vulnerable groups in Sierra Leone, Christian Lawyers Centre also known as LEGAL LINK, made donations to the Female Correctional Centre, the Milton Margai School for the Blind and the disability community, particularly those begging within the Central Business District of Freetown.
The Nelson Mandela International Day was launched by the UN General Assembly on 18th July 2009. It was done in honour of Mandela’s legacy and contribution to the culture of peace and freedom around the world, as well as his devotion to the services of vulnerable groups, human rights, love and reconciliation.
Even though he has passed away, the 18th of July (which happens to be Mandela’s birthday) is celebrated every year across the world to inspire hope, change, peace, love and a culture of selflessness in the human race.
This year’s Mandela Day celebrations took the form of donations to vulnerable groups. The donations made by LEGAL LINK were inclusive of bags of rice, onions, bundles of water sachets, sanitary pads, gallons of oil and cubes of Maggie.
The donation at the Female Correctional Centre was received by the warden, who appreciated the gesture and thanked LEGAL LINK for always giving hope to inmates at the correctional facility.
The Head of the Milton Margai School for the Blind, Sallieu Turay, received the donation on behalf of the school and called on Dorian Samu, one of the blind students, to give a speech of gratitude. Samu lauded the efforts of LEGAL LINK over the years to ensure protection for vulnerable groups in every corner of the country.
The Chairman of the disability community at Pademba Road, Mr Gborie, also expressed similar sentiments about LEGAL LINK and called for other organizations to emulate the good example of LEGAL LINK.
The Disability community at Cotton Tree, Siaka Stevens Street and Lamina Sankoh Street also benefitted from the donations that were made.
At all of the places visited, the Executive Director of LEGAL LINK, Rashid Dumbuya Esq, gave a speech on the history behind Nelson Mandela International Day celebration, and encouraged the beneficiaries to have hope in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic; and never forget to extend love and support to one another, as that was how Nelson Mandela lived his life here on earth.
He pledged his organization’s unflinching commitment to continue supporting the welfare of, and defending the rights of vulnerable groups in Sierra Leone.
Key personalities that joined the distribution exercise were the Board Chair of LEGAL LINK, Pastor Paul Ken Bockarie, Barrister Michael Dumbuya and other interns and volunteers of LEGAL LINK.
