MONROVIA – A donation of nearly US$3,000 was given through Madam Leymah Gbowee Peace Foundation to the family of little Tracy who was kidnapped and forcibly circumcised in Kakata and nearly bled to death.
Mae Azango [email protected]
According to Madam Gbowee, the donation came from a foreign businessman called Mr. Pablo Agag. She met him at an international conference last October after giving her opening speech regarding climate crisis.
“I said while the world was focusing on greenhouse gas emissions, energy crises which are also important, the reality of everyday local issues in my country. I then mentioned the story of the little FGM survivor and many other girls in parts of our country who have to deal with FGM issues, impunity, lack of basic health care, and how girls in my country are still suffering poverty and no access to education. After my speech, he walked up to me and said; ‘You spoke about a child who has a medical condition’ and when I said yes, he said he wants to pay for her medical bill and he recently sent US $ 3,087 dollars and deducting the bank charges, the total money is US$ 2,933.00,” she said.
While giving the money, Madam Gbowee said she does not normally go public when doing charity but because it is a third-party donation where she has to serve as the middle person so that the donor knows that the money reached the family.
“So, on behalf of Pablo, we will like to present this check of US$ 2933.00 to you Rev. Tour. Many people have spoken out against what happened to this child, including the Deputy Speaker and myself but we continue to see no actions taken by the Ministry of Justice or the traditional council. People disregard other people’s rights in the name of tradition and culture. We must continue to condemn it from every sector, this is wrong. Little children including girls should be free to live their lives and go to school freely, without anyone grabbing and cutting them. Today is this little child and tomorrow, it will be someone else,” she said
Rev. Noah Tour, National Vice President, and United Liberia Inland Church received the check on behalf of the family. Rev. Tour was the one person who broke the story to FrontPageAfrica when the family nearly compromised it.
“Thank you and please extend our thanks to Mr. Agag. When this incident happened, we did not know where to turn, because when a thing like this happens in our nation, people will keep it under cover. But we as a church have been seeking justice for this child. We wrote to the Government of Liberia, the Liberian Council of churches, and the traditional but nothing has been done about it. Please say thank you to Mr. Agag and the fund will be used for the intended purpose,” he said.
On September 15, 2022, little Tracy was kidnapped by Chief Zoe Famata Musa in Kakata when she went to sell and was attracted by the sounds of drums. Eyewitnesses said by order of the head Zoe, Famatta Musa, all female onlookers were seized by a group of women from the Sande Society in Kakata, Margibi County, and circumcised the next day against their will.
Little Tracy’s case report, stated that she was chained by her both legs to stop her from escaping, her face was tied with a black cloth, and was eating only leftover food. Little Tracy was said to be released on October 3 by order of the Internal Affairs Ministry upon the complaint of the church reaching the office.
