BY IBRAHIM SAHR KOMBA (232news.com)
Marking Warm Children’s Hearts: A China-Africa joint action, the Chinese medical team carried out free medical consultation to children on the 74th International children’s day and donated items to them.
The event took place on Friday 26th May 2023 at Network for Children in need, Allen Town.
The Medical team also provided stationery, Football, School bags among others to the children.
The Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone HE Ambassador Wang Qing, said that Children represent the future and the hope of a nation and its development.
In recent years, he furthered that the continuous efforts of the international community, national governments and the civil society, the global endeavor to promote the rights of children has made good headway. He called on everyone to work together in promoting the rights of children.
He disclosed that China attaches great importance to the protection of the rights of children, both domestically and internationally.’’ We have worked relentlessly to advocate and put into practice the principle of “children first” by drafting and implementing three successive National Plans of Action for Child Development in an effort to fulfill the commitment of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and its relevant Protocols’’, he noted.
He said that China has taken important measures including projects to improve nutrition of children in poverty and the three-year program of action on pre-school education, to better safeguard the rights of children.
He disclosed that Professor Peng Liyuan, wife of H.E. President Xi Jinping, has always cared for African women, children and youths adding that amid the Covid-19 outbreak, Professor Peng advocated to donate several batches of anti-epidemic supplies and vaccines to African women, children and youths, vividly illustrating the sincere friendship between China and Africa for shared destiny and mutual assistance.
He thanked the government of Sierra Leone for promoting Children’s rights. Noting that the “Free Quality Education” has benefited more than 2 million children and made a solid foundation for Sierra Leone’s development in the future. The program of “hands off our girls” and “Free Sanitary Pad” made many girls to live a safe, healthy life he noted
He concluded that China will always stay committed in helping Sierra Leone in economic and social development, including enhancing the well-being of children.
He said that China has provided medical support to Sierra Leone during Ebola and Covid-19 outbreak.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Social Welfare Gender and Children’s Affairs Madam Baindu Dassama thanked the Chinese government for its continue support to sierra Leone.
She urged the children to be committed in pursuing their dreams adding that the road to the top is rough. She called on the head of the orphanage to take good care of the children noting that children are normally taken to orphanage homes for a better life. She noted that special attention should be given to venerable children. She emphases her Ministry’s commitment in providing help to women and children in society. She concluded that the program is in line with hands off our girl in protecting children.
The Leader of China’s 24th batch of Medical Team to Sierra Leone Chen Yongjun said that Malnutrition and diseases are important factors that threaten children’s physical and mental development and has attract widespread attention from the International community. He disclosed that the team will carry out free medical consultation activity for the orphanage on the 74th International children’s day. The free consultation covers nutritional status assessment, malnutrition recovery, prevention, screening and treatment of common diseases for the orphans. He concluded the China will promote the improvement of local doctor’s medical skills, consolidate and deepen the traditional friendship between china and Sierra Leone.
Madam Inna Mariama Kamara Executive Director and founder of Network for Children in Need expressed thanks and appreciation to the Chinese government and the ministry of Social Welfare for the support to the orphans. She called on the general public to help the children. She continued that the orphanage is challenge in carrying out the activities of the home.
