02/01/2023
DFFCSL Brings Joy To Children In Sierra Leone
Apart from worshipping, Christmas is also a moment of great festivity in Sierra Leone, but not for the have-nots and less privileged children. Development Foundation For Children/Sierra Leone (DFFCSL) is slowly and positively changing the narrative.
The charitable organisation brings children from humble and deprived homes to celebrate together in the festive period.
Dozens of orphans and children from humble homes in Kenema City, East of Sierra Leone has held a moment of elation and fanfare on Christmas Day with DFFCSL.
The celebration meant a lot for the vulnerable kids as they were assured that they were never alone.
Neatly dressed and well-fed, the kids celebrated the Christmas in a special way.
Children who are not orphans, but are not comfortable in their homes were also encouraged to dine with their peers.
DFFCSL strives to put smiles on orphans' faces amid their difficulties.
It is a way of assuring them that despite their arid situation, Sierra Leone has a place for them too.
The ceremony took place at DFFCSL office in Kenema city attended by orphans and less privileged children as well as dignitaries from different walks life.
Speaking at the Ceremony, Deputy Mayor, Kenema City Council, Esther Kaisamba said DFFCSL had been catering for the orphans and vulnerable children's well being.
She informed the audience that the founder's passion for kids was second to none.
"As an organisation that cares, we would not like to see Christmas passing by without holding any activity for vulnerable children. It is good to offer food to the less privileged children for them to have a sense of belonging to society," she informed the audience.
In her address at the celebration, Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) National Women's leader, Hawa Foray described the philanthropy as a new initiative.
"It is difficult for anyone to alleviate the suffering of less privileged children. It is a real novelty," she noted.
She commended DFFCSL founder, Jenneh Brima for her zest in improving the status of orphans and vulnerable children.
As a show of respect, Miss Foray referred to children as ministers and first ladies to come, and identified herself with them.
"You are very special people. We were in the same position where you are today.
Some of us lost our parents during tender ages," she recounted. The SLPP Women's leader sees DFFCSL as one that complements government's Free Quality Education (FQE) project.
The FQE is one ensuring that children from all backgrounds especially humble ones enjoy access to education of which feeding is a key component.
She also reiterated her promise of supporting the kids through DFFCSL.
"Now we have known that there is an orphanage here, we will know the kind of support we are going to offer,"
she assured.
This not the first time, DFFCSL officials are putting smiles on children's sad faces.
On International Women's Day, food and non-food items were offered to the physically challenged by DFFCSL so that they could feel part of the celebration.
The donation was the first since it was formed four years ago.
The agency came into existence when the founder, Jenneh Brima looked back at her struggles in the past.
She would not like to see today's children go through similar, painful circumstances which she went through when she was a kid.
She is blazing the trail for society to put the challenges of orphans and vulnerable children on top of the national agenda.
Society should not allow pain and bitterness define the children of today's Sierra Leone.
Aside from helping kids with food, DFFCSL has been providing text and exercise books as well as other school materials to ease learning.
The support, Miss Brima, assures, will not stop.
