166 Pupils Benefit from Sierra Leonean Expatriates in Liberia
Sierra Leonean expatriates working under the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) have donated over Le20M to help about 166 pupils in primary and secondary school who were badly affected by the Monday August 14th 2017 multiple natural disasters (mudslide and flood) with school utensils including uniforms, books, bags, pens and pencils among others. (Photo: UNMIL Chief peace consolidation services,Dr.Francis Kai Kai in the middle of Children beneficiaries)
This all important occasion took place at the Old School Emergency Response Center, Hill Station in Freetown on the 1st of October 2017.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Chief Peace Consolidation Services, Dr. Francis Kai-Kai informed Journalists they targeted affected school going pupils because they are the future leaders.
He submitted that they are working assiduously as a group of Sierra Leonean citizens to complement Government’s effort in addressing issues of the needy.
Dr. Kai Kai stated that among the 166 total beneficiaries, one hundred and thirty (130) are in primary schools from classes 1-6 while the remaining thirty six (36) are in secondary schools from JSS-SSS Levels.
He disclosed that each secondary school pupil received two hundred thousand Leones (Le 200,000) while he said, one hundred thousand Leones goes for each primary school pupil adding that money could be used to buy the most needed school materials highlighted above.
“We believe that any problem affect any citizen of this country affected us in the Diaspora because we have our investment and people here”, Dr. Kai Kai informed the media and recalled that they extended similar gesture to victims of the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak which killed thousands and left many survivors through robust collaboration with colleagues in the UN.
He acknowledge the fact that there are other Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora who are doing similar things in their own little way but he quickly encouraged others to turn their attention at home so that our children, mothers and fathers will know that there are people in the corner who are always thinking about them. “We are poor and must not depend on Government because they cannot do everything for us”, Dr. Kai Kai advised and promised to always come to the support of the country whenever the need arises. He emphasized that they have been doing exceptionally well with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) to establish strong relationship between the sister countries in West Africa.
He concluded by extending thankfulness and appreciation to the team in charge of the Old School Emergency Response Center which is made up of staff from different institutions such as the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), National Commission for Social Action (NACSA), Office of the National Security (ONS) and Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children Affairs.
In her brief statement, Isata Jambai who is in Charge of the Shelter Pillar (CSP) at Old School Center working under the mandate of the National Commission for Social Action (NACSA) described the donation as timely adding that they as a responsible body will ensure that all targeted beneficiaries collect what they supposed to receive from all local and international donor support coming to the centre.
One of the female beneficiaries who have just sat to the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), Bambeh Jalloh, at the Missionary Church of Africa (MCA) Secondary School expressed satisfaction over the timely gesture which she said will allow them to go back to school and reduced stressed among their parents. She encouraged other beneficiaries to use the gifts wisely to serve its intended purpose and appealed to other philanthropists, individuals, NGO’s and INGO’s.
By Alhassan Bangura
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