British National Awarded MBE for outstanding work in Sierra Leone
Miriam Mason –Sesay, the Country Director of EducAid Sierra Leone and a UK national has been awarded an MBE for her exceptional services to education and to charitable work in Sierra Leone.
For over a decade Miriam has been central to developing the provision of education in Sierra Leone after the devastation of 10 years of civil war. She has made great strides in helping to re-build the country’s education system and has given hope to hundreds of young victims of the brutal conflict.
After teaching in a number of schools in the UK, Miriam came to Sierra Leone and singlehandedly drove forward the project ‘EducAid’ raising funds and providing free education and a daily meal for over 1600 pupils, many of whom were orphans or former child soldiers. Other initiatives have included a new and innovative secondary education curriculum now even gaining traction with the Ministry of Education, a thriving women’s project, a teacher training centre and international scholarships.
She has also built up educational and cultural interchanges between pupils here and in the UK, successfully raising awareness of corporate social responsibility.
Well known and respected, she has stayed the course in a country of daily hardships where many come and go. Miriam has been the subject of several media articles including one entitled ‘The Angel of Freetown’ by the Mail on Sunday in 2008. She has done much to promote relationships on many levels between the UK and Sierra Leone as well as her evident commitment to education.
On learning of her award Miriam said: “This is exciting for EducAid and an opportunity for all to see the great commitment of the EducAid team. We passionately believe in the power of education to overcome poverty and look forward to many more years of seeing young people’s lives transformed as they learn.”
The Diplomatic Service and Overseas New Year 2013 Honours lists awards to British people doing outstanding work for the UK internationally. The List has 99 awards in a range of fields such as for peace and security, stabilisation and development, education, science, British business and community/voluntary work plus exceptional contributions to London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
British High Commission Freetown, Sierra Leone
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2012, https:. All rights reserved.
