By: Mohamed Sahr
In view of eliminating forceful female genital mutilation in Sierra Leone, Desert Flower Foundation in collaboration with Africa Aweee has informed the press about the relevant approaches in the fight against FGM on Tuesday 4th October, 2022 at Caritas headquarter in Freetown.
Lissa Boyer-Telmer, Founder of Africa Aweee and member of Desert Flower Foundation said the foundation has been a non-profit making organization working on the edges of sensitive gender issues to enhance specifically girls’ empowerment and protection against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
She revealed that in 2014, Desert Flower Foundation Sierra Leone launched its program for young girls with the theme “Save A Little Desert Flower”; adding that the organization presently works with over 1,500 girls across the country with the ultimate aim of providing them with financial support, education opportunities and health care services.
The Desert Flower Foundation signs sponsorship contracts with the parents of the beneficiaries mainly girls,” Lissa assured.
She disclosed that the contract guaranteed the integrity of the girls, periodically monitored or controlled by qualified paediatrician. Walter said girls would have the opportunity to attend schools and parents would be obliged to participate in education programmes and workshops in order to enhance the capacity of the parents particularly in achieving their shared visions.
Lissa said with sponsorships from partners, the project had overtime supported lots of families with monthly funds, learning materials and medical assistance towards the improvement of their wellbeing; noting that Desert Flower Foundation targeted female beneficiaries whose integrities are intact.
Walter Lutschinger, member of Desert Flower Foundation revealed that the reality of establishing the foundation came from the history of a Somalian woman who fled from her homeland to London where she went through bitter experiences whiles in London. He said today the memo of the woman has been transcribed into fifty different languages across the world. “The book goes through the roofs and it speaks about ending FGM,” Lutschinger said.
He affirmed that the dominant thing that could be needed in Africa has to deal with education; revealing that the foundation closed the gap between Africans and Europeans in the fight against FGM. Walter assured that Desert Flower Foundation would strive to bring loads of sponsors and visitors in Sierra Leone to realize the gains they had acquired.
Rev. Father Konteh, Executive Director of Caritas and President of Desert Flower Foundation Sierra Leone said the approach of Caritas and Desert Flower Foundation captured holistic human development especially in education and health. Father Konteh disclosed that so many children have now been part of their drive and they would continue to work in that direction.
Rev. Konteh said one of the root causes of the rise in FGM had been lack of education among the people.
We have embarked on building schools and community sensitization approach within communities that are deemed deprived,” Father Konteh reassured.
Micheal Sam, Coordinator of Desert Flower Foundation Sierra Leone said the foundation operated in many parts of the provinces in the bid of fostering their commitment in eliminating FGM.
He stated that the challenges they had faced were trained and qualified teachers in all of the three established schools.
