Each year, the second Monday of November is recognized as World Orphans Day. Through the years, The Covering has served both orphans and vulnerable children in Sierra Leone who are placed in our care by the Ministry of Gender and Children's Affairs. Since opening our doors fifteen years ago, we have made it our mission to provide a hopeful future and seek justice for vulnerable children, in an effort to raise up a new generation that will in turn bring hope for generations to come.
On November 9th, The Orphan Empowerment Society (TOES) of Sierra Leone invited The Raining Season to participate in their Solidarity Walk for Orphans through the streets of Freetown. The event brought together people from all walks of life with the mission to raise awareness and support for orphans in need. Participants gathered together, wore t-shirts, and carried signs sharing messages of hope for orphaned children.
The walk highlighted the everyday challenges orphans face and emphasized the importance of community support in providing them with essential resources. Along the route, TOES held brief stops to share stories and information about how the community could assist orphans, both financially and through volunteer efforts. Participants also sang and shared words of encouragement with those along the route. The end of the walk included a closing ceremony where they shared that donations collected during the walk would directly fund education, healthcare, and essential living supplies for orphaned children.
The Orphan Empowerment Society (TOES) of Sierra Leone shared this on their Facebook page:
"Today, November 9th, 2024, The Orphan Empowerment Society Sierra Leone (TOES), along with our dedicated partners, commemorated the World Orphans Day with a Solidarity Walk for Orphans. This meaningful walk is more than a simple gathering; it's a powerful display of unity and advocacy for the orphans of Sierra Leone. The event aimed to raise awareness about the plight and challenges faced by orphaned children in our society. TOES, committed to its mission, focuses on advocating and lobbying for the rights and welfare of these vulnerable children, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs addressed.
This year's theme, "Orphans Lives Matter, emphasizing the need for support and protection of these vulnerable," simply means, emphasizing the pressing need for collective support and protection for these young lives. The theme reflects our ongoing commitment to promoting awareness of the struggles faced by orphans and to call upon society policymakers to prioritize their welfare, education, and future. The walk served as a reminder that together, we can make a difference and work towards a more inclusive, compassionate community.
We extend our deepest thanks and appreciation to all our amazing donors, partners, orphanage homes, and youth-led organizations. Your unwavering support and generosity have made this Solidarity Walk for Orphans a reality. We are genuinely grateful to each of you; your contributions mean the world to us at TOES. With every step taken today, we grow closer to our goal of securing a brighter, more secure future for every orphaned child in Sierra Leone. Thank you for standing with us, for believing in this cause, and for showing these children that they are seen, valued, and loved.
On behalf of the orphans we support, we say a very big thank you to each and everyone."
Thank you, TOES, for inviting The Raining Season to participate in your Solidarity Walk for Orphans. Walking alongside organizations like yours to support orphaned and vulnerable children in Sierra Leone is an honor. We are grateful for your message of a brighter tomorrow.
Many blessings,
The Raining Season