First Lady of Sierra Leone Meets with Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

On 19 July 2024, leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Jabbe Maada Bio, at her offices in Freetown to discuss the upcoming Strengthening Families Conference. The First Lady will act as host for the conference that is to be held in Freetown in 2025.

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Representing the Church was Elder Kenneth Pambu, an Area Seventy serving members and leaders in Liberia and Sierra Leone. He was joined by President James Jarvis and Sister Christy Jarvis, mission leaders for the Sierra Leone Freetown Mission. President Julius Rowe of the Freetown Sierra Leone Stake and President Abibu Charles of the Kossoh Town Sierra Leone Stake were also in attendance.

The Strengthening Families Conference is an international, interfaith event sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which brings together family experts and performers from around the globe. Speakers and panelists use innovative approaches to help participants strengthen families and marriages. The conference leverages the collective impact of interfaith, traditional, educational and government experts to champion quality family and marriage supports. The event is held every year in June over a two-day period.

Dr. Bio, who is a devoted Muslim, greeted the representatives of the Church warmly at her Goderich offices and expressed her delight in being asked to host the Conference. She noted that it was a great honor for the country to host the event, which focuses on the issues of families and marriages.

“The Strengthening Families Conference comes at a critical time for our nation,” she said. “Raising up strong children is not just the responsibility of the families but is a community responsibility. I pledge our every effort to make this conference successful.”

The First Lady also noted that she would share this information with the President and that he would also be supportive of this effort. “I am a Muslim and he is a devoted Christian. We know the importance of religious tolerance and how it can bring harmony and understanding to the families of Sierra Leone.”

Sheik Salim Feika, the first lady’s chief of staff, has led the Leonian delegation that is working with local Church leaders during the planning of the conference.

“Both the President and First Lady are aware of this great honor and anxious to participate in the planning and execution of the 2025 conference,” said Feika. “The First Lady's priorities are women’s empowerment and the protection of our young children. Her inclusive style and strong leadership will ensure that the 7th Strengthening Families Family Conference in 2025 will be a huge success. The conference will be a tremendous platform to show Sierra Leone’s desire to raise strong families to God.”

In November 2023, Emily Belle Freeman, President of the General Young Women’s organization of the Church, and J. Anette Dennis, a counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency, met with the President and First Lady in Freetown. Together, they attended and spoke at the United Nations World Day for the Prevention and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence in Sierra Leone.