Cultural Ambassador, Mariatu Kargbo: a Change Maker in China

“I have enjoyed staying in China as a Cultural Ambassador, a Philanthropist and an Activist who always wants to see development in Women and Children across the globe,” says Mariatu Kargbo.

Millions of Chinese fans of Sierra Leonean Cultural Ambassador, Mariatu Kargbo are unaware of the hardship she experienced before becoming not only a great friend of China, but also a World Icon who continues playing a key role in the China-Sierra Leone friendly relationship.

Nicknamed the “Black Pearl of China,” Mariatu Kargbo is best known in China as the 2009 Miss World Talent and Best World Dress Designer.

At the age of 18, Mariatu was taken to China for three months for some cultural performances. Her extraordinary performance in front of her Chinese fans paved the way for another invitation.

She lost her parents at a very young age, but that didn’t stop her to pursue her dreams as she was able to move along with friends.

At the Ahmadiyya Secondary School in Freetown, Sierra Leone, 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 in a local market.

Mariatu in one of China’s Cultural Performances

Whilst selling, Maria used to put her school uniform in her bag and when it is time for school she will find a corner to dress up and go to school. Trekking to school after spending half of the day selling in the market caused her to late for school.

“I loved my friends and I always wanted to see them happy around her,” she said, and added that due to her love for friends, she at some point was having issues with family members; this resulted to her being asked out of their family house.

“I went to one of my friends’ house where I worked as a house girl. At this point another good friend of mine invited me and encouraged me to be steadfast and courageous because she saw lots of talents on me. During my school days, I had a great passion in singing. Whenever a teacher is not around I will entertain the class with good music. I took this talent from the classroom to entertain people in communities,” she noted.

Maria has released three albums as a musician. Her first album titled “Mama Africa” was released in 2004, and just after the album launch, she decided to support the Handicap at Jui Community in Sierra Leone.

Also fond of modelling, she was the first Sierra Leonean to represent her country in the Miss World Beauty Pageant. In 2007, Maria took fourth position in China in a ‘Got Talent’ competition.

Due to her contributions to humanity, she was called upon in 2008 to contest for Miss Sierra Leone but had to cancel her trip due to a terrifying earthquake in China at that time.

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

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

After the situation got better in China, Maria travelled to Sierra Leone to contest for the Miss Sierra Leone Beauty Pageant which she convincingly won and was crowned Miss Sierra Leone in 2009. Maria’s promise that she will make a mark in the Miss World contest was downplayed by many Sierra Leoneans.

At the Miss World Pageants, Maria took sixth position, with a record breaking as the first African to be amongst the top ten and she received an award in the category of Best Talents and Fashion.

At the opening ceremony of the Miss World Pageants in South African, Maria was invited to perform on stage; her performance left the British Royal Family with no option but to invite her to perform for the Queen in England.

She was again invited to perform at the United Nations General Assembly of Head of States.

In 2010 to 2011, Maria met with China’s Movie Star Jackie Chan and Michael Bolton at the Chinese Grammy Award.

She was the first Sierra Leonean to break the Guianese Book of Records when she mobilized Sierra Leoneans to promote her country’s tourism, resulting in people from different part of the world visiting the West African country as a fulfilment of her promise she made before contesting the Miss World Beauty Pageant. She had the opportunity to also meet with Allie Baberand, the Canadian richest man.

Her philanthropic work continues to amaze lots of Sierra Leoneans since she was crowned Miss Sierra Leone. She has provided supports to so many schools in Sierra Leone, including the Ahmadiyya Secondary School where she pursued her secondary school education; the Grafton disability school (commonly known as Maria Primary School); providing teachers’ allowances and helping in the construction of the school and also giving teaching and learning materials to 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, amongst many other community gestures.

During the Ebola outbreak, Maria and her team donated cash from China to Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia after a successful concert. Their donation is on the World Food Program record on Ebola Supports.

“My happiest moment is when giving to people,” she said.

Maria has succeeded in changing the face of Sierra Leone’s Museum by donating most of her gifts she received from other countries.

“With all the sacrifices and supports made to project the good image of my country to the world, I am not getting what I deserve as a champion as compared to the so many supports and accolades I have received from other countries like China,” says Maria, and added that she feels disappointed each time she visits her home country.

“I always go with pain and it is very shameful to realize that the way China and other part of the world are welcoming me, and my country is not half of that. But that will not stop from doing what I used to do for my country. I am still Maria.”

Maria strongly believes in China’s friendliness with other countries in the world, particularly in Africa where lots of successes have been recorded over the years in the China-Africa relations.

She commended Sierra Leone’s President; Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma for choosing the development path and also for always welcoming her with openhands.

Quite recently, Maria is one of so many Sierra Leoneans leaving abroad to sympathies with mudslide & Flood victims. Her message posted on social media reads: “My sympathy to all those homes or livelihood affected by today’s mudslide and flooding. May the souls of the faithful departed Rest in Peace and speedy recovery to all those that are hospitalised.”

“Many thanks go to members of the emergency services, local authorities, personnel and volunteers who are providing assistance in this difficult time. It is a great loss to the nation, our hearts are with you. Long live the government and people of Sierra Leone.”