The Country Director recalled that on the 16th June forty years ago in South Africa, the innocent children of Soweto sacrificed their lives for others, stressing that the Day should not be celebrated but to be commemorated. Mr. Coleman lamented the way Sierra Leonean children suffered during the Ebola outbreak in the country in May 2014 and how his organization worked hand in glove with other reputable organizations during that apocalyptic period to salvage the plight of the suffering children.
The Country Director informed that his organization has in partnership with Government provided support to children in the areas of child protection, education, emergencies, water and sanitation facilities and many other areas across the country, including the Western Area, Moyamba, Bombali, Port Loko, Kambia and many other districts.
Mr. Coleman recalled that in September 2015, they supported flood victims especially children in Freetown, Kabala, Bo and other flood affected areas.
He further informed that for the last forty years of Plan International’s operation in Sierra Leone, they have worked in concert with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs to promote child advocacy and to provide services and support to Sierra Leonean children.
Mr. Coleman said as part of their corporate social responsibility, they not only rehabilitated the Ministry’s structure but also provided a brand new generator to facilitate its official work.
To mark the African Child’s Day commemoration, Plan International aided the Youth and Child Advocacy Network (YACAN) to organize a nationwide radio talk show for 100 children in about twelve electronic media outlets.
