By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay
FREETOWN: Aug 8 (232news.com) – Pride of Africa Asia Pacific Awards 2022 has awarded Small Small Chines (SSC) as the most outstanding community service provider.
The much anticipated Pride of Africa Asia Pacific Awards 2022 returned to person to person after two years with a palatial ceremony staged at the grandiose Soluxe Hotel Guangzhou China on Friday 29th July 2022. It was the 8th edition of these awards which have become an annual feature in the Asia Pacific region, organised by Appreciate Africa Network (AAN) lived up to the pre-gala hype with a polished act.
Categories such as Friend of Africa Award, Charity Fundraiser of the Year and Outstanding African Student among others were presented to winners and it was graced by the Acting Ambassador to Botswana Ms Daphne Mlotshwa, Dean of all African Consulates in Guangzhou Mr Kouame Konan (Cote D’Ivoire) among others dignitaries.
Founder of SmallSmallChinese (SSC), Mariatu Kargbo a Sierra Leone based in China thanked all those that make it possible for SSC to be recognised.
She said SSC is getting bigger every day as her dream is to break the language barrier for Sierra Leoneans that are traveling to China for business purposes.
She went on to say SSC is giving back to society through that they have established in different countries not only Sierra Leone because people have seen the needs of breaking language barriers.
Maria said with more support SSC will become a household language across countries as they are graving to reach the right audience.
She disclosed that Small Small Chineshas been introduced in some schools in Freetown for a start whiles the social media and television teaching is ongoing.
AAN Founder and host Dr Samantha Sibanda in her opening remarks thanked her audience for gracing the event while appreciating all nominees for making Africa proud.
She went on to express satisfaction for the enthusiasm Africans are showing in various fields which has aided her case to fight stereotyping through the Pride of Africa Asia Pacific Awards.
She thanked and appreciated everyone who made an effort to travel for the awards from different cities across China in wake of COVID-19 restrictions in some areas while taking risks of quarantine or infection.
Pride of Africa Asia Pacific Awards 2022 keynote speaker Zimbabwe Ambassador to China, His Excellency Lt Gen (Rtd) Dr Martin Chedondo congratulated all the nominees of this year’s awards and urged them to continue making Africa great.
“Let the achievement (nomination) be a foundation for greater things to come, here in the diaspora, let us witness the birth and incarnation of the Dangotes of Nigeria, the Strive Masiyiwas of Zimbabwe and many other success stories from the continent,” he said.
“Let us see you bringing Africa in full strength to China and the world. Why can’t we as Africans have and leave indelible footprints in the world not only as workers but as entrepreneurs so that we get generous returns to build the Africa we want?”
Some of the nominees had to join the event virtually due to travel restrictions. Guangzhou African Consulates earlier did a welcomed remark before music performance by DJ Mr Fantastic and Kanaala kept everyone on their feet.
