An evening for the children of Sierre Leone

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The First Lady of Sierre Leone is honoured guest at Gala Dinner to help save her country's children.

A special evening is being held on June 15 to help build a better future for the children of Sierre Leone. The 5^th CSR Summit Gala Ball - brought to you by IIR Middle East - is hoping to raise over Dhs500,000 for the Dubai-based charity All As One (AAO) and its orphanage in Freetown.

To help celebrate this spectacular event will be honoured guest Her Excellency Mrs Alice Sia Koroma, The First Lady of Sierre Leone who will give the opening address. Sia Koroma, whose husband Ernest Bai Koroma was elected president last November, is known in her homeland as the ‘Mother of the Nation'. Her mission while in Dubai is to raise awareness and funds for her country's children.

Sierra Leone is recovering after a brutal 10-year civil war, which ended in 2002 but left the country with no infrastructure to support the needs of the 15% of children left orphaned. The African State is ranked bottom of 177 countries in the UN Human Development Index and has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world: one in four children do not live beyond five years and one in six pregnant women dies.

Mrs Koroma, a former nurse, recently visited the AAO orphanage in the slums of Freetown to meet the 43 children currently being cared for at the home. Almost everything at the orphanage - from clothes, bedding, educational materials and food - is paid for or acquired through donations.

All As One was established in 1997 as an international charity registered in Sierre Leone. It has a non-profit office in the UAE licenced through Dubai International Humanitarian City. AAOs local Country Director Matthew Morgan-Jones has not only adopted four children from the All As One home, he has worked tirelessly to help the abandoned, abused and destitute children of the country.

Says Morgan-Jones: "I am hoping the kind hearts of Dubai will share in my plight to help not just the orphanage but the many children it saves from poverty, famine, the tragedy of war and almost certain death. By just booking one seat at the gala dinner, it will enable a child to have a home and be cared for, for several months."

The 5^th CSR Summit Gala Ball will take place in the Great Room, Le Meridien Hotel, Dubai on June 15 The money raised from the evening will be donated by event organisers IIR Middle East to help with AAO's ‘Building A Future' campaign.

The United Nations has estimated that there are over 500,000 children in Sierra Leone that do not have access to basic education. As part of its vision, and in coordination with the government of Sierre Leone, AAO plans to build a new Children's Centre and schools that will provide accommodation for 150+ children and school facilities for over 300.

Says Morgan-Jones: The All As One Schools will allow orphaned, abandoned and destitute children the opportunity of an education. The schools will serve not only the children in AAO's care, but also those in the local community.

By supporting our ‘Building A Future' campaign, you will help to invest in the future of the children in Sierra Leone." Tickets are Dhs550 per person inclusive of a three course meal, beverages and entertainment. A table for 10 people is Dhs5,000. Bookings can be made through Showbizme.com or on 9714 3662111.

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