By Foday Moriba Conteh
In his passion to extend a helping hand to the less privileged in society, especially children living with disabilities in the country, one of Sierra Leone’s outstanding nurse, philanthropist and entrepreneur, Rashid Sandy, has on Sunday 6th June, 2021 donated wheelchair, food and non-food items to one 15 year old, Fatmata Mallah, living with disability in Pelawahun Village in the Bumpeh Ngao Chiefdom.
Fatmata Mallah is a 15 year old living with disability since she was born and is an orphan living with her grandmother and Aunt.
Offering the donation, Rashid Sandy, revealed that he is doing so in memory of her late mother, Ngoh Massah Wai, who used to host vulnerable children in her community.
He expressed delight to undertake such a donation as part of his support towards the development of children in the country especially children living with disabilities.
He further revealed that the event itself is an eye-opener for the girl’s guardians to become aware that regardless of the fact that she is living with disability they should consider her very important in the society.
Rashid Sandy also encouraged them to continue looking after her as they have been doing before and to treat her with dignity and respect.
“Today we put a smile on Fatmata’s face and tears of joy for both Fatmata and her grandmother, we also want Fatmata to know that, there are people out there who love, care and wish her well. I don’t just want to stop at Fatmata, I want to continue helping other vulnerable children but I cannot achieve this alone without the help of other well-meaning Sierra Leoneans. We are still searching for other ways to help many of Fatmata Mallah’s out there,” he stated.
He extended gratitude to the CEO of the Asmaa James Foundation, Asmaa James, Founder/CEO of the Disability Empowerment Movement, Miss Eleanor Massah Abdulai, Founder/CEO of Lungi Women and Children’s Organization, Adeline Sandy, CEO Nor Sidom Luk Organization, Nuru Deen Saed, and other well-meaning Sierra Leoneans who in their diverse ways are helping in giving hopes to marginalized children.
He ended by calling on all to stop the discrimination against children living with disabilities but rather should see them as very important children in society and help in creating the enabling environment for them.
Receiving the donation on behalf of Fatmata, her grandmother, Mama Maseray Mallah, expressed profound appreciation to Rashid Sandy for the kind gesture which she described as not only important but very timely.
She disclosed that Fatmata lost her two parents at age 6 and ever since then she has been living with her and she is now 70 years old still.
The grandmother assured Rashid Sandy that the items will be used for the intended purposes. She also called on other humanitarian organizations and individuals to follow the footsteps of Rashid Sandy in order to support less privileged children.
The Chief of Pelawahun Village, Chief Patrick also joined the family to extend his heartfelt gratitude to Rashid Sandy and all those who supported him and also prayed that more help comes towards Fatmata.
