Concord Times (Freetown)
Rachel Horner
6 September 2008
Freetown — Mothers club at Mankneh in Makeni, Bombali district has embraced United Nation's international children emergency fund, UNICEF's goodwill ambassador Angelique Kidjo.
Speaking during a visit by ambassador Kidjo, chairlady for the Mankneh II mother's club Amie Mansaray said the club was formed to seek the welfare of the girl child, noting that the club has a vast garden where members grow vegetables to help pay their children's school fees.
She said before now women in her community knew nothing about the value of education but with the formation of the club, parents are now forcing their children to go to school.
"We know the value of education. Now we are investing in our children and get them educated," she said.
Mansaray said they were happy for Kidjo's visit simply because she puts premium on the education of the girl child. She called on UNICEF and the government to come to her community's aid.
Singing and chanting in their local dialect (Temne) the women praised Kidjo and UNICEF for ensuring that girls are educated in Sierra Leone.
Kidjo, a four time Grammy Award nominee, song writer and electrifying performer in the pop world today, danced as the women sang songs of praises for her.
She said priority should be given to the education of families. She explained that kids are blessings from God and parents have been chosen by God to be supportive to children.
"Whatever the situation parents are to preserve their children from early marriage and pregnancy," she said.
She said she saw determination in the mother's club noting that the club has proven that when women get together they can move mountains.
At the Mankneh 2 community school Kidjo encouraged girls to stay in school, adding that education is the only way to end poverty.
She said women should help change Africa and added that they should not waste their life on early marriages.
School children explained their ordeals and shared their experiences with Kidjo.
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