On Saturday, 26 April District Governor, John Craike presented the RIBI Reporter Humanitarian Award to Lee Karen Stow.  Lee was on assignment in the Outer Hebrides so was unable to collect her award at the RIBI Conference earlier in the month

The photo in this article were taken the weekend prior when one of the Sierra Leonean women, Cecilia was back in the UK to continue the work that is being done between the women in both Freetown and Hull.  Bas and Freya visited Lee at her home to interview her and Cecilia and take photos.

Lee was nominated by the Rotary Club of Hull Paragon.  PRO, Freya Cross explains "She is a truly remarkable young woman who deserves recognition for her humanitarian work and as a Rotarian I am delighted that RIBI are formally acknowledging her achievements so far"

Although I have known Lee for some 15 years but it was not until the 2007 Wilberforce Celebrations and in particular, during District 1270’s sponsorship of the Hull Freedom Trail, that I began to realise exactly how committed she was.

I nominated Lee for this Award as not only has she reported on a wide variety of Humanitarian issues she has also given much of her own time and personal resources to trying to make a difference. In essence, Lee has demonstrated the true spirit of Rotary. This is particularly illustrated by her last mission where she reported to Hull about the plight of those living in Sierra Leone and then actually brought Sierra Leoneans to Hull to tell their own stories.

Accepting her award Lee thanks Rotary District 1270 for their support and belief in her.

"I feel honoured and overwhelmed by this unexpected award, I really do. Thank you very, very much for recognising my achievements so far. Because it is ‘so far’. I have so much more to do and to say and it’s going to be hard keeping me quiet now that I know someone out there really IS listening!

This award is especially significant because it is given by the Rotary, which I know exists in so many countries and initiates so many humanitarian programmes that are geared to help those who are hungry and in desperate need. I saw it for myself with the amazing work carried out by The Freedom Trail in Sierra Leone.

My own work with the women of Sierra Leone is ongoing. What I’ve reported on and photographed so far is just the tip of the iceberg, and if the price of rice continues to go up in that country, who knows what the women and their children – indeed everyone – face in the future. Yes, the war is over, but the story is not over and I would appreciate any help that can be given, to help me tell it.

Lee still wants to achieve so much more. If any Rotary Club or individual would like to help her please contact Lee via RIBI or District 1270. Now that the Award has been made public you find will also find more information on our District Website.

Some of the photos in this article were taken the weekend prior when one of the Sierra Leonean women, Cecilia was back in the UK to continue the work that is being done between the women in both Freetown and Hull.  Bas and Freya visited Lee at her home to interview her and Cecilia and take photos.