By Sulaiman Jalloh
As a means of expanding her commitments to seek children’s welfare, the Director of St. George Foundation Madam Justina Sheriff on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 opened a radio station called ‘Pinkin Tok Radio FM91.1 at Grafton community, east end of Freetown.
Kadiatu Kaloko is one of the children at St. George Foundation. While delivering her welcome remark, she expressed gratitude, saying the opening of the radio station is a demonstration of the passion and commitment of the St. George’s Foundation to promote the welfare of children.
“The establishment of this radio station will serve as a platform to tell our untold stories, many people see us as criminals in our society” the young lady said, noting through the executive director, their story will change.
Alpha Jalloh is a media expert who played a role in the launch of the radio station. He thanked everyone who contributed to the successful opening of the ‘pikin tok radio’, noting that challenges were there to open the radio station hence the need to have a platform to advocate for children is the desire, noting the name ‘pikin tok radio’ came directly from the executive director, adding that the radio will serve as a potent platform where vulnerable children will actively participate in discussion to find remedies on issues that affect their lives and a space to execute their talents and allow their stories to be told in a larger audience. “The work I started some years ago has come to reality,” he concluded.
The Director of the Saint George Foundation, Madam Justina Sheriff said, as the opening of the radio station falls on International Women’s Day, she therefore congratulated all women, noting as mothers, they need to be good examples to their children and a source of inspiration, adding their children should see them as icons and role models.
According to the director, the opening of pikin tok radio station is a beacon of hope and a voice for the voiceless; something she said is not just a celebration but a monumental achievement in their long-term journey to uplift the advocacy for the most vulnerable group of people in their communities.
She said for 20 years her organization has been in different trends in the heart of Grafton community, providing a sanctuary for vulnerable children, stressing that their mission is to provide shelter, medication, education, protection, support and a nurturing environment for children.
Madam Kaloko said the launch of the media house is the beginning of their 20 years’ celebration, noting their focus is not only on children’s immediate need but to also advocate for their rights, noting the station will serve as a vital tool for family cohesion and a fundamental pillar to sustainable society, adding it will serve as a catalyst to unite community members.
Speaking on behalf of the board of directors, Barrister Olushegu Garben showered praises to Madam Jestina Sheriff for her dedication to serving humanity, noting their advisory role has yielded a result and promised to work with the organization.
Also speaking was the D/ASP Musu Junusa from the Kissi police station family support unit. She said the St. George Foundation has been a supporting entity to their work, especially in providing psychosocial counselling, noting the establishment of the radio station is timely and will help to expose their work.
According to the police officer, St. George Foundation has also been helping them to accommodate most of their victims without home, noting children’s fight is collective efforts.
Delivering the keynote address, Madam Salata Bah who is also a board member of the institution thanked the management of the Foundation for a ‘milestone achievement’, noting they should be mindful of the Independent Media Commission (IMC) Code of Practice and focus on issues mainly affecting children in their community and the country at large.
The female journalist advised that they should also not forget to find means of sustaining the station and to maintain their caring homes, further advising that St. Gorge Foundation should work with other partners like the Family Support Unit of the Sierra Leone Police, Focus 1000, and children advocacy organizations.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, March 13th , 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
