By Milton Margai in London
Passion and a smile can be very contagious and Peagie Woobay epitomised that on Saturday, 26th October 2013 at the ‘Cocktail Evening with Peagie Woobay’. The theme was “My Story, My Dream” and it was all about “empowering the girl child in Sierra Leone”.
Peagie narrated her story of how she became pregnant as a young teenager (15 years); the trials, experience and the success story that we see today.
There was a teary moment for a lady who was touched by Peagie’s story and passion for the girl child of Sierra Leone. From Peagie’s narration, it was clear that she had a support network that spurred her on; supported her financially and morally and made it possible for her to be the woman she is today. In a nutshell, Peagie was given a second chance.
In return, Peagie is giving the girl child in Sierra Leone a second chance. She was fortunate enough to have the support, but you’d agree with me that many other girls in Sierra Leone who find themselves in Peagie’s situation today are not that fortunate. Hence, I am very proud of Peagie for giving them a second chance.
Throughout Peagie’s narration of her story, one thing was evident: she is very passionate about the girl child. She is sincere, genuine and smiled throughout the evening. I thought I loved smiling until I saw Peagie’s smile light up the whole room. The passion for her cause, coupled with her smile, was so contagious that it infected everyone in the room. People were so moved and touched by her story and vision that they had no choice but to donate generously to her cause. Some donated vital items and services. Others sponsored a girl child or two, while others donated to Peagie in private. I was also informed that a lady, who was not even at the cocktail evening, went up to where Peagie was staying in Dulwich to make her donation for the girl child in Sierra Leone.
This goes to show how contagious Peagie’s passion is. It’s “The Peagie Woobay Effect”, I suppose. I am very proud to have been a part of the gathering on Saturday. I saw a different side to Sierra Leoneans that can only be described as positive. Everyone was supportive and generous to Peagie’s cause, and worked collectively to make the event a success. I was happy to have finally met most of the people that I had been having daily discussions with on social media. It was just banter all round. Then I met Pegie’s son, David (the son she had when she was only 16 years old). He’s quiet, soft-spoken, intelligent, polite and well groomed. Definitely her mom’s pride and joy. I also met Peagie’s husband, Mr. Foday, who has been very supportive morally and financially.
Another positive of the night was the launch of the publication: “Women, Men and Country: An Anthology of African Poems”, compiled by our very own Khadi Mansaray. It’s a brilliant publication – an anthology of new poems by people you know or discuss with regularly on social media. One of my poems: “A seed doesn’t bear fruit overnight” was also published. Khadi only got to know Peagie on Facebook. She invited her to be a panelist on an online radio programme, Voices from the Diaspora, and she was infected with Peagie’s passion for the girl child of Sierra Leone. It was the same for me when I first interviewed Peagie. In the preface to “Women, Men and Country: An Anthology of African Poems”, Khadi says: “Many people help empower girls in various ways but Peagie stood out because she was reaching out to a group that did not usually get sympathy. In a society that can be judgmental and unforgiving, it was courageous for her to openly and boldly tell her story. Her candor was disarming and her sincerity was contagious. Being a business coach I wanted to help the charity improve its operations and raise funds”.
Proceeds from the sale of the publication mentioned above will go to the Peagie Woobay Scholarship Fund. The purpose of “The PWSF” is to raise funds to help educate a lot of girls in her native Sierra Leone, thus empowering them for their future and making them into powerful drivers of progress.
Not all of us can open charities or do what Peagie is doing but we can do our parts by supporting a genuine cause on a genuine mission. The Peagie Woobay Scholarship Fund is one of those causes and I’d like to encourage all to support her in every little way. Every little help goes towards helping the girl child in Sierra Leone. Personally, I was impressed with Peagie on Saturday and became a new convert. I will endeavour to assist her in every way possible to help give girls in Sierra Leone a second chance.
In the foreword to the publication, “Women, Men and Country: An Anthology of African Poems”, CNN Anchor, Isha Sesay writes that the PWSF is so important because “it provides a lifeline for teenage mothers, by giving them the chance to go back to school. The fund allows these young girls to dream and work towards a life out of the shadows. At the same time, the fund promotes education and highlights the dangers that accompany teenage pregnancies”. This is what the PWSF is about. It is a laudable cause worthy of our support. By helping Peagie’s cause, you are helping the girl child in Sierra Leone."
(C) Politico 31/10/13
