SOS Receives an Award for its Role in the Fight against Ebola

Freetown, Sierra Leone—On Friday 18 December 2015, 199 African and international charities and aid workers were awarded by the Sierra Leone government, for their outstanding contribution that helped the country defeat Ebola.

SOS Children’s Villages Sierra Leone received a silver award, “in recognition of their support to the government and people of Sierra Leone during the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease, especially in the rehabilitation of Observation Interim Centres and the admission of Ebola orphans,” the citation read.

SOS Children's in Sierra LeoneMr Benoni Williams, National Family Strengthening Coordinator, received the award on behalf of SOS Children’s Villages Sierra Leone, in a ceremony held at the State House

In his acceptance statement, Mr Williams expressed appreciation to the president for considering SOS Children’s Villages Sierra Leone for its vital role in in the fight against the Ebola Virus Disease. He added: “I also want to thank the people of Sierra Leone and our international partners who fought hard to bring the Ebola epidemic to an end. I pray the souls of all those who lost their lives rest in perfect peace.”

The World Health Organization declared on November 7 that Sierra Leone's Ebola outbreak was over, after it had killed almost 4,000 citizens.

Reacting to the award, Ms Wright Julisia, an SOS mother said: “We are very proud of this award. We played a great role especially in providing food and non-food materials to quarantined households and also providing food items  though the ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs for the benefit of orphan children.”

Lydia*, 14, from an SOS family in Freetown noted: “We SOS children are very proud of this achievement. This silver award is a Christmas gift to us. I want to thank the people who nominated SOS Children’s Villages Sierra Leone for this prestigious award.”

“I am proud that we were recognised for the role we played in the fight against the Ebola Virus. I want to thank God that we have kicked Ebola out of Sierra Leone,” remarked Issa*, 15, Freetown SOS family.

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