Mariama Gendemeh Shines as 2023 FALA Star Prize Winner

Outstanding young Sierra Leonean bags prestigious accolade for her exceptional service to humanity.

With all shades of glitz and bliss, 23-year-old Mariama Gendemeh from Sierra Leone plumed as the 2023 FALA Star Prize Winner at the just concluded epochal Global New Year’s Eve Service with Pastor Chris. Great cheers followed the recognition of young Gendemeh, whose laudable achievements throughout the year significantly contributed to improving the lives of dozens in her country and transforming their standard of living altogether.

Mariama's philanthropic efforts led to the creation of several jobs for many unemployed youth in her country. After facilitating the distribution of food and relief items to 3,000 people in 10 communities, young Gendemeh championed a “Save the malnourished kids' ' project reaching 10,000 children annually. She spearheaded several outreaches in 110 communities, providing essential sanitation materials and empowering over 500 girls with leadership skills in six schools. As a catalyst of change, her company boasts of the largest vegetable farm in Kenema impacting over 1,300 people with ripe farm produce. With these and other notable feats, young Mariama Gendemeh won the coveted FALA Star Prize award which is accompanied by a 25,000USD cash prize.

Joining the brilliant Sierra Leonean as winners of the FALA 2023 vis-a-vis their commitment to changing lives in their respective countries and the African continent were 9 other young leaders who were also honoured at the night's event. With several community initiatives, leadership programs, fundraising campaigns, empowerment summits, skill acquisition conferences, distribution of food and relief items and other commendable humanitarian acts, these young leaders redefined leadership across the African continent and distinguished themselves aptly as true patriots of Africa.

Together with the Star Prize Award winner, Katleho Mojakisane Queen from Lesotho, Grace Lamane Fatime from Chad, Alieu Sasay from Liberia, Annick Bado from Burkina Faso, Clinton Arko Agyemang from Ghana, Emma Kwaje from South Sudan, Lyna Bossa Tchydre from Togo, Matilda Kahunde from Uganda and Wissal Rida from Morocco, were honored as winners of the FALA Awards 2023.

The President of FALA, Reverend (Dr.) Chris Oyakhilome, as always, handsomely rewarded each award winner with 10,000USD cash prize to encourage and spur them to embark on more sustainable projects across the continent. Congratulations to all the 2023 FALA winners.