By Michaella Faith Wright
In a heartwarming display of commitment to women’s empowerment, the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatima Bio, has extended a helping hand to the female journalist group, Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL). Through the Hands-Off Our Girls (HOOG) Foundation, Madam Fatima Bio provided financial and administrative support to WIMSAL, as well as full-tuition scholarships to seventeen of its members.
These generous donations, made on behalf of the newly registered INGO, the Hands-Off Our Girls Foundation, form part of a larger initiative aimed at supporting girls and women to reach their full potential. The Hands Off Our Girls Foundation’s dedication to empowering women is evident in its efforts to enhance WIMSAL itself, while also supporting the educational pursuits of seventeen female media practitioners by providing fully funded tuition scholarships for various tertiary educational opportunities.
Madam Fatima Bio’s dedication to empowering diverse women in the sector was further demonstrated by her donation of 80 million leones towards paying for an office space for WIMSAL. This significant contribution addresses one of the organization’s key challenges and underscores the First Lady’s commitment to advancing opportunities for women in Sierra Leone.
During a special moment spent with WIMSAL members, the First Lady emphasized the paramount importance of education and encouraged all seventeen beneficiaries to make the most of this invaluable opportunity. Recognizing the multifaceted nature of success, she further advised them to prioritize their physical and emotional well-being, urging them not to allow themselves to be mistreated in any aspect of their lives.
Madam Eastina Taylor, President of Women in the Media Sierra Leone, expressed her profound gratitude towards the First Lady for her unwavering support. She deeply appreciated the scholarships provided and acknowledged the ongoing collaboration with the organization, highlighting the significant benefits this support brings, especially for WIMSAL members who may have previously faced financial barriers to their educational aspirations.
Among the beneficiaries, Yvette Smith, a single mother of three, expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the scholarships, which not only ease the financial burden of her education but also alleviate some of her financial struggles. With unwavering determination, she pledged to make the First Lady proud by excelling in her studies and making the most of this life-changing opportunity.
The unwavering support provided by Madam Fatima Bio to WIMSAL exemplifies her deep dedication to empowering women and fostering opportunities for their advancement.
Through her compassionate initiatives , she is making a tangible difference in the lives of female journalists in Sierra Leone , setting an inspiring example for others to follow
In conclusion, Haja Mariama Bangura, another beneficiary, expressed her heartfelt gratitude towards the First Lady, stating that she no longer has to worry about paying her fees and can now focus wholeheartedly on her studies. With an overwhelming sense of determination and gratitude, she pledged that all the beneficiaries would strive to make the First Lady proud by achieving excellent results in their respective fields of study.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Saturday, February 17th, 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)