Our "Desert flowers" are already rehearsing for the opening ceremony
Until recently, several children had to share a table, now each child has its own table and chair (below).
Next great news from our "Kiera Chaplin Desert Flower School" in Sierra Leone (West Africa). This week the new school furniture was delivered. The excitement among the children was great. Until recently, several children had to share a table. From now on each child has its own table and chair. Officially, the school will open at the end of November, but classes are already taking place.
Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world. The illiteracy rate is 70 percent (population over 14 years). Countries with high illiteracy unfortunately also have a very high rate of female genital mutilation (FGM). This is why Waris Dirie's Desert Flower Foundation is so strongly involved in Sierra Leone as part of a major educational initiative. We give girls a school education so that they can lead a more self-determined life in the future. In return, the families must undertake not to circumcise their daughters or send them into an early forced marriage.
The Kiera Chaplin Desert Flower School is the first of three schools we are building in Sierra Leone and will open at the end of November. The godmother is Kiera Chaplin, the granddaughter of the unforgettable Charlie Chaplin. And: In addition to the lessons, the children are already rehearsing very diligently for the opening ceremony.
