For girls education is the key to a more self-determined life
Waris Dirie with some of her godchildren.
It is the project that is most dear to Waris Dirie at the moment: The construction of the first "Desert Flower School" in Sierra Leone (West Africa). She is therefore in constant contact with Father Peter Konteh, the director of the Desert Flower Foundation Sierra Leone. He supervises the construction progress on site. Last good news: The roof of the "Safe House" with school library and media centre has just been completed. Right next to it, on the neighboring property, the "Desert Flower School" is being built out of the ground (see photos below left). This week all the foundation walls and intermediate walls of the school will be erected, the next step will be the roof.
"The only way to really stop female genital mutilation is education. This is the key to a self-determined life for the girls," says Waris Dirie. With the sponsorship project "Save a small desert flower", the Desert Flower Foundation has already been able to save 1000 girls from brutal circumcision in Sierra Leone alone. Much has been achieved since Waris Dirie started her mission over 20 years ago. "When I started my fight, only four African countries had laws against FGM. Today, only six countries in Africa have no laws against FGM. On my numerous trips to Africa, I meet many young mothers and fathers who now oppose genital mutilation," explains Waris Dirie.
The first "Desert Flower School" plus "Safe House" in Sierra Leone are the showcase project and heart of our educational initiative. Made possible by your donations. Thank you very much!
