Sierra Leone: Girl 13, dedicates life to others

Murtala Mohammed Kamara, AfricaNews reporter in Freetown, Sierra Leone

Annette Sam, now 13 was diagnosed with a hole in the heart in 2006. His father a teacher by then could not afford funds to treat the young Annette. Nearly at the point of death, a local charity organization Pikin Bizness gave Annette another chance to life. Annette was flown to Germany in 2007 where she undergoes a successful surgery. Annette and his family now reside in the United States. In appreciation for life, the young girl who was given a chance to life has decided to dedicate her life to help others in one of the world’s poorest countries to enjoy life.

Inspired by her story, Annette set up the Annette Sam Heart Foundation in the United States. He has been on record to have raised the highest amount for three consecutive years in his school. She recently set her father on a mission to Sierra Leone to make a donation of US$ 500 to the organization that help saved her life.

Making the cash presentation to Pikin Bizness on behalf of Annette, Mr. Brixton Sam father of Annette told AfricaNews that he almost watch her child die in 2006 because he could not afford money to threat his child Abroad.

Brixton recalled: “I was a teacher in 2006 when my daughter was diagnosed with a hole in the heart,” he said. Brixton added: “I had to seek for external support to save my child life and luckily for me Pikin Bizness came to my rescue.”

“I am very grateful to Pikin Bizness, Annette is grateful to Pikin Bizness” the US based clergy said. He said his daughter is doing fine. “The doctors said she can even run a marathon race.” “In appreciation, my daughter has asked me to make this donation on her behalf today. She has assured me that she will do all in her powers to help her brothers and sisters back home get another chance to life.”

Dr. Adonis Abboud founder of Pikin Biznness said he was stunned by the young girl decision to help other back home. He said his organization is a home grown and fully managed by his business. The popular business man recalled that what is now Pikin Bizness was set up in 2001 to provide support to less privilege children and also educational support to children in post conflict Sierra Leone. He said his organization has had more than eight successful cases so far. He said the organization is constrained with funds to save the lives of other 100 children who have already been diagnosed across Sierra Leone with related heart diseases.

Dr. Abboud said Annette donation will be used as part of funds to save a six months old child who is scheduled to fly to Ghana for treatment.

He said their future plans include bringing in a cardiac specialist to Freetown to help assess the possibility of setting up a fully equipped surgery in the country and also construct a hospital paediatric hospital among others.

He therefore appeals to institutions and well-meaning individuals to help him save the lives of the children of Sierra Leone.

Posted by admin on May 18 2012. Filed under African News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry