It is very clear that children are the most vulnerable in any chaotic situation which is why the Rapture Kids, a very popular kids’ musical group are appealing to Sierra Leoneans to ensure a violence-free 2012 elections through a specially carved campaign theme, “Post Jubilee Peaceful Election Appeal”. In simple terms, the kids are advocating for peace through music. This information was disclosed to journalists at a press briefing yesterday, Tuesday 17th January 2012 at the Joshua Christian High School, Gray Bush.
The Rapture Kids is a faith based Children’s Organization that uses music as a tool of communication.
“We sing about issues that are happening around us, focusing on education, health, sanitation, patriotism; we preach the word of God for mankind and many more,” Rapture Kids said.
Reverend Emmanuel Gibson, Coordinator of the Rapture Kids noted with admiration the contribution of the Kids during the Golden Jubilee celebrations with release of their music album, ‘Jubilee in Sierra Leone’ that contained songs such as, ‘Happy Birthday Mama Salone’ and ‘Beautiful Day in Sierra Leone’. He added that the latest call for non violence is an addition to the Jubilee celebrations. The album he disclosed include songs like, ‘E don tae we dae cry’,’ Election tem nar salone’ and ‘Vote wisely’.
Rev. Gibson pointed out that the reason why Rapture Kids are preaching through songs for a peaceful election is because children are most vulnerable if any chaos breaks in Sierra Leone.
The Reverend said the kids’ election songs are an appeal to all stakeholders in the political melodrama of Sierra Leone inclusive of the youth, the NEC and the media to put hands on deck to ensure violent-free elections in 2012.
“The kids want to commit every Sierra Leonean to ensuring that the sad stories of the rebel war and its attendant ramifications are not repeated again in the country,” Rev. Gibson stated.
The Rapture Kids according to the Coordinator will adopt a strategy starting now, that will see primary and secondary school students taking part in a number of competitions inside and outside Freetown through music, poetry, arts and drama with peace messages to be climaxed by a rally and a grand Peace Concert on the 22nd and 23rd March respectively at the National Stadium.
“The campaign is an appeal for a peaceful electioneering process before, during and after the November 2012 poll,” Rev. Gibson asserted.
The Coordinator maintained that the choice of the 23rd March to climax the campaign is deliberate, because according to him, it was on that date that the first gunshot was fired in Sierra Leone signaling the start of the rebel war in the country.
“To us, this date is symbolic, because we want to replace the ugly past,” the Kids maintained.
During the rally the Rapture Kids envisage bringing together thousands of children all wearing white T-Shirts and carrying white handkerchiefs with the inscription “Post-Jubilee Peaceful Election Appeal”.
By Emmanuella Kallon
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