HERO OF OUR TIME: Mariatu Kargbo A Change Maker

Compiled By S. I. Joenal

Today we have another Hero of Our Time in our archive and it is no less a person than Mariatu Kargbo. Mariatu Kargbo is a young Sierra Leonean lady born at New England Ville in the west end of Freetown.

Maria did her primary education at the Wellington Primary School and Municipal Primary School Kissy Dockyard. Her secondary education was done at the Ahmadiyya Secondary School. Upon completion of her secondary school education, Maria started attending cultural classes at the Milton Margai Collage of Education, Science and Technology while she was pursued computer training in one of the computers institute at Ferry Junction.

She also pursued another course at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) where she came out with flying colours.

Maria was very young when she lost her parents but that didn’t stop her to pursue her dreams as she was able to move with friends.

At Ahmadiyya Secondary School Maria was unable to pay her school fees but due to her good sporting discipline she was awarded a scholarship.

Maria went through so many obstacles in life; she sold cold water, served as cleaner and also sold fish at old wharf.

While she was selling, Maria used to put on her school uniform on her bag and when it is time for school, she will find a corner to dressed up and go to school. When she was attending Ahmadiyya Secondary School, Maria always treks to school which made her always late for school.

Due to her love for friends, Maria at some point was having issues with family members. She always wanted to see people happy around her. Because of her love for friends Maria was asked out of their family house. She went to one of her friends where she worked as a house girl. At that point one of her friends invited her and encouraged her because she saw that Maria had lot of talent.

At the age of 18, Maria was taken to China for three months and returned to Sierra Leone. Maria’s extraordinary performance in China, paved the way for her to be invited again.

During her school days, Maria had a passion to sing whenever teacher was not around she will entertain her class. Other pupils used to call her MC. She continued with the passion of entertaining people.

Maria has released three albums as a musicians, her first album titled “Mama Africa” was released in 2004. Just after that album launching Maria decided to help the Handicap at Jui community.

Maria also fond of modeling. She was the first Sierra Leoneans to represent Sierra Leone in Miss World. In 2007 Maria took fourth position in China in a Got Talent competition.

The time China hosted Miss World; Maria was side by side with Sierra Leone representative. She supported the lady with her best dresses just for her to represent Sierra Leone to the best of her ability.

Due to Maria contributions to humanity, she was called upon in 2008 to contest for Miss Sierra Leone but at that time China had a terrifying earthquake and that was the time Maria was about to come to Sierra Leone. She cancelled her trip to assist the people of China in their crisis.

Maria was the first and only African that was granted access to broadcast on the Chinese Television at that time.

She was the first black that sang a song calling on others to support and save victims of the Chinese earthquake.

After the situation got better in China, Maria came to Sierra Leone in 2009 to contest for Miss Sierra Leone and she was crowned Miss Sierra Leone 2009. Maria’s winning paved the way for her to make a promise that when she attends Miss World she would do great things for her country but many Sierra Leoneans thought she was lying or just made the promise just like most of the others. 

At the Miss World Pageants, Maria took sixth position, with a record breaking as the first African to be among the top ten and she was awarded for Best Talents and Fashion.

At the final opening ceremony of Miss World Pageants in South African, Maria was chosen to perform. Her performance at that final opening ceremony left the British Royal family with no option but to invite her to perform for the Queen in England.

Recently Maria was again invited to perform at the United Nations general assembly of Head of States. She also met with Allie Baberand Canadian richest man.

In 2010 to 2011 Maria met with Jackie Chan, Michael Bolton at the Chinese Grammy Award. Maria was the first Sierra Leonean  to break the Guianese Book of records when she mobilized Sierra Leoneans to promote Sierra Leone tourism where people from different part of the world came to Sierra Leone as part of her pageants promised. 

Maria said during the campaign to promote Sierra Leone Tourism she learnt that Sierra Leone has passion.

Since Maria made her promise when she was crowned Miss Sierra Leone, a lot of goodies have reached lot of people individually and that community level. Maria is giving back to schools. She always gives support to the Ahmadiyya Secondary School. She gave 10 schools emergency phone lines. She is supporting the Grafton disability school (Maria Primary School), giving teachers’ allowances and helping in the construction of the school and also giving teaching and learning materials to the teachers and pupils.  

Maria has donated materials and finance for the construction of mosques and she also donated a transformer to the Devil Hole community, among other things.

During the Ebola in the sub region, Maria and team donated over One Billion from China for Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia due to the concert they made. Their donation is on the World Food Program record for Ebola.

Maria’s happiest moment is when she is giving to people. Her favorite fruit is Mango and her favorite food is rice. Maria doesn’t like liars.

Maria changed the face of Sierra Leone Museum. She donated her gift to the Museum. With all what she is doing for her country, Maria is not getting what she deserved as a hero considering the way other countries like china and other part of the world are welcoming her.

Maria’s said all the time she is in the country she will be disappointed.

“I always go with pain. It is very shameful, the way China and other part of the world are welcoming me, and my country is not half of that.”

Maria said that will not stop her to do what she is able to do for her country.

“I am still Maria the only person that is welcoming me with an open hand is President Ernest Bai Koroma.”

© SALONE TIMES & Trace News Hub