January 10, 2022
BY: MORISON M KOROMA (Kenema)
A philanthropist is one whose aim is to educate and reform society (s) for the best human accomplishments through different means including cash & kind.
Their choice of giving exhibits importance not only to targeted beneficiaries but to even a nation, as they fill the gaps left behind by the Central government.
It only takes a tenderhearted individual or group of individuals / organization to choose philanthropy.
Over the week, more than 350 school going children of all ages including some youths aged 15-22 enjoyed a freewill arms-giving from a local-based organization, the Media Alliance for Agriculture & Food Security and other development partners as part their Christmas and new-year supports to the needy.
This pilot event led by a young woman ‘Mary J. Alpha’ was staged in SERABU, a village in the Small-Bo Chiefdom, Kenema District.
In a snappy interview, Mary revealed that her organization wants to use the media and also education to promote agriculture thus the selection of Serabu, a highly rich and fertile ground for agriculture.
“We’ve chosen a farm-based zone because of our belief in agriculture. It is a natural-culture that will never be weary and we also want to use the platform to educate local-based farmers and their children on the significance of education through the practice of agriculture. It’s all about boasting their zeal in farming”, the agric-enthusiast stated.
The young philanthropist furthered that their main objective is to empowering both the current and future farmers including teenage mothers.
She strongly added that young girls shouldn’t be school dropouts because they are mothers and agriculture she maintained must not be seen ‘less important’ to farmers.
Mary also stated that their move is part of rebranding and adding more value to the country’s agri-businesses.
Some of the items donated include:- Sanitary pads, odorant sprays, tooth pastes, soaps and shaving sticks (for young girls)Soaps, tooth pastes, brushes and shaving sticks (for young boys) and a huge quantum of sweet, eye glasses, pop-corns, biscuits and other assorted food items were also dashed to children from age 10 downwards.
An SSS-III pupil who benefited was very overwhelmed with what she described as a mouthwatering gesture. Zainab Kallon disclosed that this is the first time in her days to receive such from people.
“I could not remember being a beneficiary of any kind of donation here from anyone since my birth and politicians are not excluded” she stated. Whilst calling on all especially young girls to make proper use of the items and focus on education, Zainab greatly commended Madam Mary J Alpha, her cheerful giver.
In a joyous mood, a parent with four girls who watched the young lady’s cheerful display vowed to do everything within her reach to educate her four children and enlighten them about the significance of agriculture. Many who witnessed the process described the venture as ‘a start of a new down’ for the environment.