Wednesday December 5, 2018: International supermodel and Founder of Desert Flower Foundation, Waris Dirie is to visit Sierra Leone from 14th December 2018 – 3rd January 2019.
During her visit, Waris Dirie will inspect the various Projects of the Desert Flower Foundation in Sierra Leone including the ongoing construction of a Multi Purpose structure comprising Desert Media Centre, Safe Home/Shelter for victims of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and also a school on the same precincts at No. 2 River along the Freetown Peninsula Rural District.
The Shelter will serve as temporary refuge for victims of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).
Her tour of the various Project sites supporting thousands of Women and Girls across the country would provide her the opportunity to have first-hand knowledge of activities, including the needs, challenges and successes so far.
Waris Dirie is expected to meet with the First lady Her Excellency, Mrs. Fatima Bio as they share similar views on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) and the Empowerment of the Girl-child. Discussions will focus on how Desert Flowers Foundation and Government can strengthen Policies that would protect and improve the wellbeing of women and girls.
She will also hold discussions with senior government officials, Her Lordship, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE, representatives of the diplomatic mission, UNFPA, UN Women and local Women Activists.
Waris Dirie will engage Journalists in a Press Conference during which further light will be shed on what Desert Flowers Foundation represents.
Waris Dirie’s fairytale journey from Somalian nomad to international supermodel has propelled her to celebrity stardom. Her International recognition and fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) through the bestselling biography ‘’Desert Flower”, attracted greater public attention to the issue and this led to the then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to appoint her as the United Nation Population Fund’s Special Ambassador for the Elimination of FGM in 1997.
Waris Dirie has traveled extensively speaking on the prevention of women from harmful practices, herself having suffered in the past. Many around the world have joined her in the fight against FGM and other forms of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).
The Caritas Coordinating Office, at Saint Edwards School, May Park, Kingtom in Freetown, will host her.
Desert Flowers Foundation provides Education, Health and Welfare sponsorships to thousands of beneficiaries in Sierra Leone.
The Desert Flower Foundation, founded by Waris Dirie to fights against the root causes of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), such as poverty, early marriage, lack of education and the low social status of women in many societies.
Since the project inception of “SAVE A LITTLE DESERT FLOWER” SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMME SIERRA LEONE in the year 2014, the Desert Flower Foundation-SL has save (1,000 girls) in Sierra Leone from FGM and have offer them with educational opportunity.
The sponsorship programme supports girls and their families financially. The monthly support which is provided by DFF-SL to the beneficiaries parents is used for school fees and also to provide a stable life for the girl’s family.