After awards, AWOL takes lead in National Solidarity
After the dishing out of the covetous national prized awards to citizens that have invariably contributed to the development of the country, the first indigenous group of Sierra Leoneans to engage in national development cohesive solidarity (with self sponsorship from individual member pockets) All Works of Life (AWOL) has now embarked on what is to be the biggest show of patriotic philanthropy ever in the history of Sierra Leone.
Starting with what left media practitioners truly impressed and beneficiaries in tears of joy, AWOL over the weekend made a frantic move to answer to the plight of the people of Fogbo in the Western Rural District of the country who lost 48 houses to an unsavory inferno that left nearly 500 people, including children and suckling mothers homeless, by making the first impressive humanitarian donation that rescued the dashed hope of the people after the wild fire incident. Â Â Â
In all, 40 bundles of CI-corrugated iron roofs which replaced the burnt out thatch roofing of the building was truly welcome news to the then desperate people of Fogbo where the AWOL team surfaced out of nowhere to rescue their pains for their lost property. Added to the supply of iron sheeting which no doubt is a face-lift the village, twenty five bags of rice and bundles and mantles of used clothing was supplied to the people in a bid to alleviate their sorrow in not just the loss of property but also the tentative loss of all livelihood that had been gathered and stored over the years.
The welcome stunt for the AWOL team that was liaised with a battery of journalists was both very impressive and unexpected, children, women, school going pupils and the local authorities lined in a grand welcome and appreciative gesture for the news of AWOL coming to cushion the weight of the loss they experienced.
Made up of all walks of life and shades of Sierra Leoneans, as the AWOL team filed into the village, the reason that moved these philanthropic Sierra Leoneans was ever so visible as they were taken to make a tour of the burnt-down village; tears welling up their eyes; as a show of love and affection that is rarely exhibited among Sierra Leone’s rich and fortunate few. Â The tour lasted shorter than was expected as many of the people (AWOL) who teamed their resources together for the grand show of affection were not able to stand the looks of sorrow and pain that was worn on the faces of the fire victims amidst the wreckages of the burnt houses.
After the brief but grief filled tour, the team was led to a make-shift court yard made of palm fronds where the humble but invaluable donation was made to the people which in the words of the chairman of the occasion Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr. (Youth Ambassador of the Republic of Sierra Leone known as the youngest philanthropist and successful businessman) was “not to impress the people to but to set the pace for other organizations who may so wish to tow the line with AWOL in seeking to alleviate the sufferings of unfortunate Sierra Leoneans not just in Fogbo, but throughout the country.”
In his humble submission, Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr. said “every member of AWOL was truly touched when they heard of the unfortunate wild fire incident and could not stop at that but decided to materials their emotions and affection by pulling resources together to attend to the predicament of the Fogbo people.”
Ex-and first ever chairman of AWOL, Moseray (SUPER) Fadika who many see as the godfather of not only AWOL but the youth of the country resonated the mood AWOL was in when they first heard about the inferno in this cold period of the year. “This could not let the most of us sleep whilst you, our less fortunate brothers are here dying in the cold; our presence here today is in such solidarity”. The godfather noted however that AWOL is no way a political-cum group as he explained that whatever AWOL engages in is devoid of any political sentiment and truly patriotic and development oriented. He recounted that AWOL consists of all people ranging from politicians to business people, lawyers and so on; adding that AWOL is the only organization in the country where there is a cohesive existent of nationals all political parties; sects and professions.Â
Mr. Fadika asked the victims of the fire incident not to give up on life but press on in life, taking example in most members of AWOL including himself; who made the donation to have come from humble background but stood up to such similar challenges.
Current and newly elected chairman of AWOL Hon. Chernor Bah (Chericoco) in his keynote address lauded the efforts of every member of his organization in putting together the emergency humanitarian kit in response to the plight of the people of Fogbo. He admonished them to use the materials wise and justly as there would be more to it if news of its judicious use reaches AWOL.
Chericoco impressed that the time for politics is long over and must be forgotten about, asking all to embrace national cohesion and solidarity for development. “Politics is only fair to practice when it is time for election, let us bury it right now and embrace national development until such a time when all of us will return to our various sects and political parties.”      Â
Many local authorities including the Member of Parliament for the constituency, local chiefs and civil society joined in to thank AWOL for their philanthropic gesture recording it as first of its kind for the people of that particular area.
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