The Edward Marah Foundation on Saturday 7th December 2019, held its fundraising dinner and recognition award at Paradise Garden, Aberdeen Beach in Freetown under the distinguished Grand Chief Patron of Mr. Leon Jenkins-Johnston Esq., Ombudsman of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Welcoming guests at the event, the Founder and Executive Director, Mrs. Haja Grace Marah, said that the event is not only to eat and drink with Edward Marah Foundation, but to give back to hundreds of deprived children, youths, women and communities that are in dire need of help, a reason the foundation was established.
She revealed to her audience that the Edward Marah Foundation with its Motto “Live for others” was founded on 25th December 2014 by her in honor and appreciation for the work of her husband, a Journalist, Social Commentator, philanthropist, Human Rights Defender and Anti-Corruption Campaigner, Edward Marah, with the sole aim of helping less privileged women, youths and children in deprived communities in the country.
Mrs. Marah noted that her husband, Edward Marah, who has been over eighteen years in the field of Journalism, has contributed a lot to society and humanity to which she thought it fit that the best way to appreciate him is to set up a foundation to complement his efforts in living for others and serving humanity.
She pointed out that the foundation is non-political or tribal, but a true humanitarian organization that believes in giving back to society in line with its motto, “Live for others”
She revealed that since the establishment of the foundation in 2014, they have contributed a lot to change the lives of others through educational empowerment of children, youths training programs, providing micro-finance support to women and undertaking road construction projects as part of its service to humanity in Freetown, Koinadugu and Falaba Districts.
Mrs. Marah added that the Edward Marah Foundation has undertaken and supported several development projects including the construction of a 3 classroom school building in Kania Village, Wollay Chiefdom, Falaba District, provided reading and learning materials and 500 scholarships to students in Freetown, Falaba and Koinadugu Districts, and also supported road works in several communities in Nieni Chiefdom, Koinadugu District.
She maintained that the foundation over the years has provided support to some Mosques in Sumbaria, Alikalia, Kumala, Yiffin, Krutor, Konobaia and Kania, adding that they also supported mudslide victims in Freetown and continued to support deprived communities.
Mrs. Marah concluded by launching another educational project for the foundation called, “Sen Mi To School” which aims at providing opportunities to less privileged children to access education.
She maintained that the Edward Marah Foundation believes that “Life is not about being rich, popular or highly educated; it’s about being real, being humble and being kind to society.
Together we can change communities,’’ stressing that “our main aim/goal is to save lives by empowering the less privileged particularly youths, women and children to live in a better world of their own,” adding that they look forward to creating a world of inclusiveness, self-fulfillment through poverty alleviation amongst less privileged people and communities as a sustainable development agenda.
The Grand Chief Patron of the occasion, Mr. Leon Jenkins-Johnston, Esq., commended the Edward Marah Foundation for its continued service humanity, stressing that he is highly impressed with the achievement of the organization over the years.
He said that giving is from God as God always bless the giver, assuring his personal support in helping the foundation to achieve its goal.
Edward Marah commended his wife, Mrs. Haja Grace Marah, for setting up such foundation in his honour, adding that it came as a surprise to him in 2014 when his wife approached him with the initiative of setting up a foundation, adding that since then he had not stopped from supporting his wife to make her dream come true.
Mr. Edward Marah assured his wife of his own personal commitment and support to ensure that the foundation succeeds.
At this year’s dinner and origination award, Mr. SallieuTuray, Chief Librarian, Sierra Leone Library Board, was awarded with the National Educational Leadership award; Mr. Leon Jenkins-Johnston Esq., Ombudsman of the Republic of Sierra Leone, was awarded Institutional Leadership award; Mr. Emmanuel Christian Thorli, Managing Editor and Proprietor, Nightwatch Newspaper received the Media Institution Award; Mr. Jimmy Bangura aka Jimmy B, received the Role Model award; Street Child Sierra Leone, a local Humanitarian Non-Governmental Organization, received the Humanitarian Award, whilst Artiste For Peace, Rev. Samuel Momodu Kabba, Commissioner Robert Kargbo and Mark Muday also received awards.