By Fatima Wahab Babih
Dear Mrs. Fatima Jabbie Maada Bio,
I hope this letter finds you basking in the glory of your unexpected paparazzi-worthy visit to our picturesque hamlet – Tuba Village. I am writing to express my deepest appreciation for the captivating spectacle you graced us at the Johanna Burchett Organization‘s (JOB-SL) Adolescent and Youth Empowerment Training Center (AYETC) opening ceremony.
It was, without a doubt, a star-studded event that left our quaint village buzzing with excitement to see so many politicians they had never seen before; even my in-law, the former Vice President of Sierra Leone, Mr. Victor Foe, was in attendance.
Your presence at the AYETC inauguration was nothing short of a blockbuster cameo. It was indeed a pleasant surprise, and I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by the honor it bestowed upon Tuba Village and our people. My uncles told me you even topped your visit up with a donation of 200,000 Leones, approximately $1,163.00 US Dollars.
Kudos to the JOB-SL for their unique philanthropic prowess in establishing the AYETC. The JOB-SL is an organization founded by a German man who worked for a road construction company in Sierra Leone. According to the project documents, the AYETC project in Tuba was approved by the European Union under some special social measures related to the road construction company working on the Bandajuma Liberia Border Road and Bridges projects.
The AYETC, as you may already know, boasts ambitious plans to empower hundreds of young minds from the 11 villages surrounding Tuba. The curriculum is as diverse as a Netflix binge, from computer software applications to tie-dyeing. However, the Manager of AYETC recently let me in on a little secret – furniture, training equipment, and staff are not provided by the project’s founders. Your gracious attention to this minor detail can go a long way. This remaining need for the AYETC to be fully functional makes your support of this project even more meaningful.
I must admit, I was touched that in the midst of your busy schedule, juggling the demanding responsibilities that come with being the First Lady of Sierra Leone, you found time to join the people of Tuba at this event.
In this photo: My uncle Foday Baba Sillah and other uncles, aunts and cousins
According to my elder uncles, who sent me the news, including photos, your presence has left an indelible mark on the hearts of our people. In fact, the news of your attendance has ignited a spark of excitement within the community. My uncles were quick to inform me of your visit, as they were concerned about news that you hired a vulgar woman to attack me on the internet in response to my book about you, The Unbecoming Mrs. Maada Bio: A Case of First Lady Syndrome. Now, the entire village is abuzz with gratitude that your anger toward me for my book has not dampened your interest in our village’s endeavors.
Please know that we appreciate your new interest in our village, and we sincerely hope that this is just the beginning of your benevolent involvement in the affairs of our small village. With your influential support, we dream of a fully functional AYETC with trained staff, equipment, and furniture – the holy trinity of any youth development center.
With AYETC, we dream of a fully functioning youth development center that can nurture the potential of our young girls and boys, and we dare to believe that, with your expressed interest, this dream may become a reality. Your influence as the country’s First Lady can significantly impact the lives of the young minds that will benefit from the facility, shaping the future of our village and, by extension, our nation.
In closing, I look forward to witnessing the positive transformations that your continued attention and support will undoubtedly bring to our slice of paradise, Sembehun 17 Tuba, on the Bo Koribondo highway. Here’s to hoping our humble village becomes your favorite celebrity pitstop.
With warm regards and unabashed excitement,
Dr. Fatima Wahab Babih and the People of Tuba Village
MAMA SALONE ~ Lioness of the West Coast 