Rosamund Kissi-Debrah is a grassroots campaigner in London, UK raising awareness of asthma and the health problems that can be caused by air pollution. Kissi-Debrah's campaign for clean air followed the death of her 9 year old daughter, Ella Roberta, in 2013 who had experienced a series of severe asthma attacks over several years. A 2014 inquest focused only on Ella's medical care, prompting Kissi-Debrah to campaign for air pollution to be included on her child's death certificate, after learning about its possible adverse effects on health. Her campaign has led to a second inquest in 2020, where evidence about air pollution was considered, with a ruling in December 2020 that pollution from the South Circular Road, London was a contributing factor to Ella Roberta's death.
Roberta also co-founded the Ella Roberta Family Foundation to promote her goals more widely to the public and officials. This charity aims to improve the lives of children affected by asthma in South East London. It engages with politicians and policy makers as well as young people and communities to raise awareness of asthma, advocate for better medical treatment of asthma and also campaigns for clean air.
Lyrics to the song that was inspired by the interview:
THE BALLAD OF ELLA KISSI-DEBRAH
Reading in the papers
Numbers written there
Of how many die each year
Cos of dirty air
But numbers they don't speak
Drama they lack
Unlike the sound of hearing someone
Die from an asthma attack
What can change?
So that - Ella Kissi-Debrah
Didn't die in vein
And we all take action
And Policies change
Ella Kissi-Debrah
Hear our prayers
So that no more children
Will die
From breathing air
Ella Kissi-Debrah
Deserves a happy tune
But this song is not for her
It is meant for you
To pluck and play your heart strings
So you think twice before we drive
And decide who you will give your vote to
So more kids stay alive
So that - Ella Kissi-Debrah
Didn't die in vein
And we all take action
And Policies change
Ella Kissi-Debrah
Hear our prayers
So that no more children
Will die
From breathing air
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