At a ceremony held at the Hennessey School Hall, Blackhall Road, Kissy, members of the Rodfum Women and Children Foundation officially launched the organization, taking as its top most priority, the situation of children with Special needs. The ceremony attracted school pupils from the Kankaylay Primary School, The Evangelical School, Kissy and the Sierra Leone Islamic Federation School. Among the kids with special needs were kids with eye sight problems, speech defects, walking defects, mental problems (Autism) etc.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Chairm,an of the meeting, Patrick Massaquoi, a Scout Executive member and also a Board member of the foundation, told the audience that the initiative was developed by Ms. Olufumi Pratt, a staff at ECObank, whose passion for children with special needs could not be overemphasized. He noted that the foundation is geared towards bringing together young kids with special needs to showcase their talents, adding that every human being has an innate talent given to them by the Almighty. He stressed that as all normal people have rights, so too do those with special needs, and should not be discriminated against. He admonished parents and guardians to encourage these kids, as they too have hidden talents that could only be displayed when they get the necessary support, and since the parents are the ones in constant touch with them, they should endeavor to give them the support they need to become better citizens.
In his contribution, Inspector Alie Kargbo of the Kissy Family Support Unit, whilst representing his boss, drew the attention of the audience to the Child Rights enacted by the government, which speaks against discrimination and abuse of the child. He dilated on the various provisions of the law dealing with sexual abuse, and warned that sexually penetrating a disabled child is an offence, just as it is an offence against an abled child. He stressed that the FUS has refused to term these kids as disabled, and preferred to use the term kids with special needs. He called on the audience to spread the message that kids with special needs should be taken care of and not discriminated against. He stressed that they too have the right to education, recreation, sports etc. The Child Right Act, the Inspector maintained, is designed to protect the right of children, adding that under that right any child with special needs have a right to be admitted in any school in the country, and it is an offence to discriminate against them.
Inspector Kargbo warned parents against nurturing the perception that kids with special needs are evil and should be taken to native doctors for treatment. Such an act is detrimental to the development of children, he stressed. He condemned the act of sex for grades, saying that the Education Act makes it an offence, disclosing that they are investigating two such cases at the Approved School. Inspector Kargbo admonished parents and all present to abide by the law and maintain peace, especially as the country will soon be going to elections, and assured all of their safety.
In her statement to parents, Fumi Pratt explained that the passion to embrace this path was borne out of the fact that she had a son, who at his early years began to talk very late. She disclosed that it was challenging, but she persevered and encouraged him the more. Today, she is proud to say that he is normal and studying in one of the country’s top universities. She admonished parents and guardians not to neglect kids with special needs, but to encourage them to showcase their talents. She stressed that by encouraging them, the kids will regain the confidence they lack and will perform wonders.
Fumi Pratt noted that the foundation focuses on children with special needs, and women who are widows. Focusing on widows, Fumi maintained that up-keeping the home under such condition is very tough, but encouraged them that they now have a partner that is ready to help them. She, however, noted that funding for the foundation is purely in the domain of self-sacrifice, as all their members are contributing to the development of the foundation, and also reaching out to well-wishers and like-minded individuals for support. She expressed appreciation to all her friends and supporters for making the lives of these kids worth living. She called on interested organizations and institutions to partner with them and bring hope and smiles to the faces of these kids.
Fumi Pratt disclosed that the launching of the foundation was deliberately planned to showcase the talents of these kids with special needs to show parents and the community that these kids have talents that could be developed that could put them in the limelight of society. She called on parents to continue to care for the kids and to encourage them to learn skills. Such people, she stressed, are fast learners.
Launching the Foundation, Madam Fatmata Renthieh Kargbo from the USA, said the idea for the foundation was laudable, as it will enable the kids to become better citizens. She admonished the kids not to allow themselves to be limited, adding that they should believe that the sky is the limit for them, and anything that an abled bodied person can do, they too can do it. She told them that they have the potential and the ability to make life far better than people think, and should not allow people to limit them. After some encouraging words to parents to care for their kids, she officially launched the organization.
The ceremony was climaxed with the kids displaying their talents in singing, dancing and recitals of academic work etc., as well as service of light refreshments to all present.
