In a moving ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the tragic events of January 6th, 1999, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE joined the executive committee and members of the War Amputees and War Wounded Association.
Hosted by Melquosh Mission International, led by Pastor Faith Okafor-Smart, the organization has been dedicated to serving amputees and children of amputee victims of Sierra Leone’s 11-year civil war since 2008.
The day began with a reflective and inspiring thanksgiving service, followed by an award ceremony recognizing the resilience and achievements of war amputees and their supporters.
Among the awardees were individuals like Elizabeth, an amputee now qualified as a teacher, Archipuss, who earned an MBA despite challenges, and Abraham, graduating from university after his mother’s sacrifice during the civil war. The stories also included Ishmael Charles, once a child soldier, now saving lives through the Sick Pekin Project.
Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE received an award, humbled by her work with war victims through the Sierra Leone WarTrust for Children, a charity she co-founded in April 1999. This organization continues to positively impact lives today.
Reflecting on the day spent with war victims, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr emphasized the enduring cost of war and the intergenerational pain it inflicts. Amputees shared memories of the horrors they faced, along with tales of hope, inspiration, and remarkable achievements.
In a heartfelt plea, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr urged collective efforts for peace, calling on everyone to actively pursue it through words, decisions, and actions.
On this 25th anniversary of January 6th, 1999, she concluded with a resounding call: “Let us collectively say ‘never again’ to war in Sierra Leone.”
