As heavy strom destroys 76 houses STEP-K rescues Kabala people
Following the recent heavy storms in Kabala town, Koinadugu District which destroyed about 76 houses and the oldest primary school in the Kabala Township, the Sustainable Empowerment for the People of Koinadugu (STEP-K) has donated assorted items to the affected people.
Among the donated items were bundle of Zinc to about 45 hardest hit houses, bags of rice, packets of nails and other logistical support for the roofing of those houses. (Photo: One of the houses destroyed at Bilmaya-Kabala Towns )
Speaking during the donation ceremony at the Native Administrative Court Barry, the Paramount Chief of Warawara Yagala Chiefdom, PC Konduwulay Gbawuru Mansaray III said he is elated for the timely intervention of the son of the Koinadugu soil to provide emergency support to their own families who have been homeless as a result of the storm. He described the formation of STEP-K as a humanitarian aid organization to all indigenes of the District irrespective of political loyalty.
Recipients of the donated items at the NA Court Barry in Kabala Town
He stressed that he was taken aback when news broke out that his chiefdom has been badly hit by the heavy storm, noting that he was on his way to visit those homes and the District Educational Council Primary School when STEP-K dispatched their members residing in Kabala to also made similar visit and provide a comprehensive report for their prompt intervention to salvage the situation. According to PC Mansaray, the donation made by STEP-K is synonymous to wiping painful tears from his people who had no financial standing to repair their houses.
On her part, the Head Mistress of the DEC Primary School-Madam Nyallay Sillah told her audience that she was psychologically traumatic when the storm removed the entire roof of the school, noting that she quickly got relief when representatives of STEP-K told her that the organization has decided to repair the buildings that were badly affected by the storm. He lauded the initiators of the organization and called on all indigenes of Koinadugu to join the train to develop the District.
Meanwhile, STEP-K further donated 3 office filing cabinets, 3 office executive swivel chairs, 20 chairs for the news room and 10 tables to the Bintumani Radio station.
Giving a brief background about the formation of STEP-K, the Chief Executive Officer, Amara Kallon said the organization came into existence following the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease which claimed the lives of more than one thousand Sierra Leoneans and badly crippled the country’s staggering economy. He said during the Ebola outbreak, the invited all indigenes to join the Koinadugans Against Ebola as an immediate precursor to contain the rampant spread of the virus.
Amara Kallon reiterated that they were able to provide pivotal support to the District Youth Council at Zonal and Chiefdom levels by providing solar light, food stuff items for quarantine homes, mobile phones, used clothing, thermometers and PPEs. Having made inroads to contain the virus, Amara Kallon said, “we have now gravitated to becoming a registered charitable and philanthropic organization with over 325 members across the globe.”
Today, STEP-K has been able to provide educational support to help reduce the high rate of teenage pregnancy and early marriage among teens in Koindugu, a District statistically rated as the highest in the country. This, according to the CEO, will set the platform for sustainable development.
“Our target is to focus on the impeding factors crippling growth in our community,” said Amara, stressing that “we want to take our useful position from the least developed to compete with other District through the provision of vocational skills training, empowering the girl and human resources capacity.”
He concluded that since funding is an impending challenge, STEP-K is partnering with NGOs and other development partners to mainstream youth activities and encourage the renewal of culture and tradition.
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