Selita Ebanks Helps the Women of Sierra Leone Continue to Shine!

Selita Ebanks Helps the Women of Sierra Leone Continue to Shine!

Shine On Sierra Leone’s mission is simple: To shine the light on Sierra Leone’s needs and create sustainable programs to promote thriving self-sufficient communities. Sierra Leone is a country that is the second lowest ranked country on the Human Development Index, has the lowest life expectancy at under 45 years of age, ranks last in health care globally, and the average GDP is a mere $400, which makes it the 7th poorest country. Due to the horrendous civil war, it has minimal infrastructure , 1/3 of the population has been displaced into slums, and tens of thousands of children are recovering from having been abducted and forced into battle.

Founder
In 2006, Tiffany Persons was filming a documentary in Sierra Leone. She says that during her stay she experienced a thirst for knowledge first hand. Children were sitting in classroom with dilapidated roofs, rain pouring on them and many children without a meal. Tiffany raised  US$6,000 and completely rehabilitated the school with a new roof, cemented floors, iron doors, all new benches, and fresh paint for all interiors and exteriors. She says ” The men women and children spilled into the streets laughing, singing, and dancing with gratitude. It was simply the best day of my life” . They have expanded to building schools and are actively behind computer and adult literacy programs, two comprehensive educational programs, a groundbreaking microcredit lending program, the Birthright Health care program, and a unique sustainable development and building program using the innovative Earth-bag method. Shine on Sierra Leone has done all of this thanks to the contributions and time of citizens around the world and sponsors. They are a true example of paying it forward and how just one kind act begets more kind and productive acts.

Selita Gives Back
Selita Ebanks is partnering with SOSL to launch a post natal health care program that will help save Sierra Leone’s mothers and babies. Super model and current Celebrity Apprentice contestant has launched the Birthright Health care Program for SOSL, which is focused on reducing the brutal birth statistics of Sierra Leone.

On last season’s Celebrity Apprentice, Selita won $20,000 and is using the total amount to start a maternal ward that will offer free maternal care and postnatal care.

“Its a very small charity but it works very hard,” says Selita.