Transcript
SELITA EBANKS
The people in Sierra Leone, when they say hi, they automatically say they love you, and they genuinely mean it. They appreciate the fact that you're there, and you're willing to listen to their stories.
I went to Sierra Leone with a false perception of what it was going to be, and I came out of it just completely a different woman. I went there just thinking that I was going to go with the--with Elle Magazine and with Ruff & Cut and just visit these diamond mines. And you already had the false perception of what it's going to be like.
Basically, Ruff & Cut is a non-conflict diamond company right out at Sierra Leone. And what's so great about Ruff & Cut is that they actually reinvest their money, back into the community. They provide health care, jobs, proper educations for the people of Sierra Leone. I think that's important to, you know, to make sure your diamonds are non-conflict. And you know, it’s easy to just buy things and forget about it. But as always, you have to stop and think about the repercussions of your purchase, and what is this going to do for the society where it comes from. You know, it's there. Research--do your homework. Support other, you know, companies like Ruff & Cut.
We were having our photo shoot for Elle magazine. This little boy was there. He had to be about three years old, and he just clutched on to my leg, and he didn’t say a word. He didn't say a word. He just held onto me--the most-love I've ever felt in my whole entire life. It was so humbling just to know that this small child can look at me and say, you know, "I love you." I had no idea of the struggle and the amount of happiness still left in these people. These are the most powerful, strongest people I’ve ever met in my whole entire life. And they've given me a whole new strength just being there and experiencing it with them, and just hearing their stories and still seeing the most beautiful brightest wide smiles--the children laughing, playing, just being happy.
It's amazing for me to see children who’ve been through so much and to still have that kind-hearted, that spirit, you know, love for being a child still. You know, it just motivated me to start my own charity and just try to help these women and these children. I don’t think they're asking for any handouts. They're not asking for you to feel sorry for them. They're just asking for opportunities and to move on with their lives past the civil war.
It's the women of Sierra Leone that has kept Sierra Leone together as much as it is. You know, this is a country that's moving forward. And these women are just so strong. I don’t care what I’ve accomplished my life--I’m a woman, and there's a certain amount of respect that you should have for women. It's about time somebody steps up for them and says, “You know what? We can be successful even in a country such as Sierra Leone.”
The name of the charity is called WCEO, Women's Coalition of Empowerment Opportunities. It's a group of women--myself, Eve and Serena Williams. And what we're trying to do is raise money to build schools as well as school supplies, but most importantly, build health facilities for women and transportation so that the doctors and nurses can go out to the villages. So what this program is going to do is it can provide free health care, prenatal care, postnatal care, simple remedies to, you know, the simple things in life.
It's a part of my life now. I can never forget Sierra Leone, the children, the orphanages, the women. You know, if you go to Sierra Leone, you'll understand. Everybody has to go to Sierra Leone. It's beautiful. I’m planning to go back. That’s what I'm going to do.
Power to the women! Peace.
