Africell and Street Child Sierra Leone launched the 12th annual Street Child Marathon in a press conference on April 4 at Africell’s headquarters in Freetown. The marathon, scheduled for May 4 in Makeni, seeks to mobilise support for educating vulnerable children. It will feature 5K, 10K, half marathon (21K), and full marathon (42K) categories.
Nancy Toure, events and sponsorship manager at Africell, emphasized the strong partnership with Street Child, highlighting the community and educational empowerment the event fosters.
Kelfa Kargbo, country director of Sick Pikin Sierra Leone, detailed the organization’s growth and plans to support 45,000 children and 4,000 families over four years, including building schools and a new initiative for families in slum communities, facilitated through Africell’s Afrimoney.
Afrimoney Marketing Director John Konteh announced a digital registration and payment system via Afrimoney, accessible by dialing *162*4# and entering code 76081. Registration fees vary for Sierra Leoneans and non-Sierra Leoneans.
Bobson Turay, Communications Manager at Sick Pikin, acknowledged the numerous sponsors, including Africell, Maranpa Mines, and GT Bank, for their crucial support.
The marathon’s “spiritual home” remains Makeni, but Street Child announced plans for a second marathon in Bo this October, expanding their outreach. The collaborative effort aims to drive transformative change through sports and community support.