By Audrey Raymonda John

The Director of the Amazonian Initiative Movement (AIM-SL), Rugiatu Neneh Turay has informed that “education is the sustainable key against FGM in Sierra Leone”.

According to Madam Turay, women empowerment is also the engine for development of any nation, adding that “If given the opportunity to women, they will do better in society”.

“Think women’s space in Politics and all forms of governance in the society” she asserted.

Madam Turay made the submission when delivering her statement during the Commissioning of the SAT Koroma Memorial Primary School at Matimba Village, Koya Chiefdom in Port Loko District.

Turay went further that, harmful traditions has retrogress most of women and girls especially in rural communities, leaving them in hands of mercy.

“Change traditions with adequate sensitization on the dangers associated to FGM practice. The construction of the school is part of my organization’s vision and mission to change tradition through the construction of modern educational institutions in replacement of bondo bushes and Yankas/Sowei shrines” she boasted.

According to Madam Turay, the newly constructed school is borne out of the EUROs 10,000 award she won from Theodora Hacker award in 2021 as well as contributions from students in the UK and Natallie Jones.

‘We are not only empowering children in vulnerable communities but because women are the backbone on the development. My organization is also prioritizing them so that they can take care of their siblings while going to schools” she stated.

She maintained that Matimba Village and its surroundings have been for over 50 years without good educational institution, adding that the new SAT Memorial Primary School will help reduce the sufferings of the poor children.

She called on Government and other charitable Organizations to direct their funding to organization of reputable output to save the lives of the less-privileged in the country.

During the mammoth gathering at the ceremony, the former Member of Parliament, Hon Abu SAT Koroma explained how his late father, Late Alhaji SAT Koroma started the school over 50 years ago. The MP said the modernization of the School by her wife; Madam Rugiatu Neneh Turay is a blessing for Matimba village and it surrounding communities.

Hon. Koroma said the fight against FGM is very import and requires concerted effort while appealing to government to take action to end the practice of FGM in Sierra Leone.

The former MP also appealed to Matimba community residents to use the school for it intended purposes, adding that, the school will help educate their children and it turn become resourceful individuals in the society.

A Sowei, Kadiatu Bangura, said she was a poro, Gbele and Sowei woman but abandoned all because the act has been a demeaning for women.

She admonished her colleague Soweis to abandon FGM practice as it has ripple effect on girls and women.

The Paramount Chief of Koya Chiefdom, Chief Kompa Bomboli III expressed appreciation to Madam Rugiatu Neneh Koroma for her resilient effort to help the vulnerable women and girls in his Chiefdom.

He said children are the ‘osusu’ for parents, adding that parents should send their children to school and desist from sending their children to the farms thereby deterring their future.

The PC called on development partners to help boost Madam Rugiatu Neneh Turay and her organization for more support to the deprived communities in the country.

The Paramount Chief acclaimed Madam Rugiatu Neneh and her organization that have done so much development for his Koya Chiefdom residents.

“We cannot use this school as museum. This school is not a mirror. Everyone who failed to send his or her child to the school will face stiff resistance from the seat of the Paramount Chief” he threatened.

A representative from the Forum against Harmful Practices (FAHP), Madam Aminata Koroma, said the coalition is formed to fight against harmful traditional practices.

According to Madam Koroma, the coalition for which, she is the secretary is geared towards zero tolerance on FGM.

A representative from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Jugo Timbo expressed thanks to the AIM-SL organization for the strides to help curtail FGM through replacement of ‘bondo-Yankas’ bushes to schools. He expressed thanks and appreciation to the President for his resilient in enhancing education in the country.

Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Madam Emily Kadiatu Gogra, expressed thanks and appreciation to Madam Rugiatu Neneh Turay for the construction of the school which depict President Julius Maada Bio’s education agenda in the country.

She expressed determination for government effort to support the strides to strengthen education.

Madam Gogra assured students of the village of government school feeding support, and appealed to parents to take great care of the school for the quality education of their child.

Representative from UNICEF, UNAIDs, and BMZ, all thanked Madam Turay for the strides, adding that education is key for any development in the society.