World Vision Sierra Leone has commenced a two days faith leaders’ summit at the Family Kingdom Resort in Aberdeen, Freetown to dialogue on the protection and development of children in the country.
To mark the first anniversary of the end of Ebola in Sierra Leone after observing the three minutes of silence, a Muslim prayer was done by Shiek Abubakr Conteh whilst Rev. Dr. Usman Jessie Fornah General Secretary of the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone highlighted the role they played towards the end of ebola in Sierra Leone.
According to the National Director of World Vision Sierra Leone James Chifwele, faith leaders have a long history of responding to crisis in Sierra Leone and played a key role in ending the war and also addressing the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the recent past.
He said the message of faith leaders can resonate with their congregations and, where government lacks capacity and when NGO’s are no longer present or unable to reach remote communities, it is the faith leaders who remain.
The National Director applauded faith leaders for their influence in guidance and encouragement to people and assured faith leaders of their continued engagement and collaboration.
He said the partnership needs to be strengthened for improved dialogue with faith leaders to address cultural issues with advice and guidance for children to live a better life.
He maintained “we are passionate for children to live in a favorable environment with support from faith leaders.”
Pastor Adama Diouf from World Vision Regional Faith Leader based in Senegal called on religious leaders to constantly teach for good neighborhood by seeking the interest of others.
He said we are all part of the solution to influence community leaders to help vulnerable children ensuring children go to school and are able to read and write.
He said faith leaders should be protecting children from early marriage and Female Genital Mutilation and ensure birth certificates are provided for children before their naming ceremony.
He said faith leaders should help world vision denounce abuse of children in communities and pointed out that the crucial problems of Africa today needs to be addressed by faith based organizations.
He also spoke about the West Africa interfaith strategy with a desire to understand people.
Rev. Siyani Zimba while explaining about the objective of the summit said their aim is to increase awareness and understanding of world vision’s community response to development challenges facing children.
He said the summit will also create dialogue and improve communication and coordination between World Vision and faith leaders at national level.
He also said over 12,000 faith leaders have been engaged in each World Vision national office in Africa to reinforce collaboration among World Vision and faith leaders at the national level for actions that will undo entrenched cultural practice that are in violation of the wellbeing of children.
Rev. Siyani Zimba stated that the summit will facilitate collaborative thinking and intellectual enrichment for actions against all forms of abuse against children and emerging development challenges.
Interim Operations Director Grace Kargbo of World Vision gave an overview of their activities with special areas of focus in education, livelihoods, child protection, inter faith partnership and disaster risk reduction and intervention.
She disclosed that World Vision Sierra Leone contributed greatly during the ebola outbreak by undertaking safe and dignified burial in alignment with government’s development agenda.
The summit was facilitated by Rev. Thomas Beckley of World Vision Sierra Leone.
By Saidu Bah
Tuesday November 08, 2016