By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a demonstration of its unwavering commitment to education, the Choithram International Foundation awarded scholarships to 283 deserving pupils from various schools across Sierra Leone. The brief but significant ceremony took place on Thursday, 29 January 2026, at the Choithram Head Office on Rawdon Street, Freetown bringing together pupils, parents, guardians and members of the Press.
In his address, Harish Agnani, Chief Executive Officer, Choithram Group reaffirmed the company’s long-standing commitment to education, healthcare and social welfare in Sierra Leone.
He explained that the scholarship programme has been running consistently for over 50 years, stressing that it has never been interrupted even during difficult periods such as the civil war, the Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic. He also described the initiative as a vision of the late Thakurdas Choithram Pagarani, who believed strongly in giving back to society through education and healthcare.
Harish Agnani clarified that the scholarship is a grant-in-aid, not a full scholarship and is awarded strictly on merit. According to him, the selection process is handled independently by the Scholarship Committee, without influence from Choithram Management. Beneficiaries are expected to perform well academically to continue benefiting in subsequent years.
For the 2026 academic year, Harish Agnani disclosed that a total sum of NLe285, 000 equivalent to 285,000,000 Old Leones was expended for this year’s scholarship grant.
Beyond education, Harish Agnani highlighted Choithram International Foundation’s extensive investments in healthcare, particularly through the Choithram Memorial Hospital. He announced the arrival of a six-member team of specialist German doctors on 6 February 2026, who will conduct plastic and head surgeries. Members of the public requiring such medical attention were urged to register early as patient screening is already underway.
The CEO further revealed plans for a major free cataract surgery camp, scheduled to begin around 20 March 2026, with specialist medical teams arriving from India. The initiative, he said, is jointly funded by Choithram International Foundation and Choithram Memorial Hospital, with technical support from partner institutions in India and Dubai. All surgeries, transportation, accommodation, feeding, medication and follow-up care will be provided free of charge.
Harish Agnani noted that in 2025 alone, over 1,500 free cataract surgeries were successfully carried out and expressed optimism that the 2026 programme could benefit up to 2,000 patients depending on the turnout.
He also disclosed that the Foundation routinely supports old people’s homes, children’s institutions and other social causes, in addition to its flagship education and healthcare programmes.
Harish Agnani concluded by thanking the committee for their dedication and reaffirmed Choithram’s continued commitment to supporting vulnerable children and improving access to quality healthcare in Sierra Leone.
Cornelia Gabbidon, Committee Member, Choithram Scholarship Fund, expressed appreciation to the Choithram International Foundation for supporting pupils across primary, junior and secondary levels, noting that the grant has brought relief to parents facing financial constraints.
She said the initiative complements the Government’s Free Quality Education programme and urged beneficiaries to work hard, remain disciplined and distinguish themselves academically to qualify for future support.
Cornelia Gabbidon also warned that pupils who fail to improve would not benefit next year and advised parents to use the funds strictly for educational purposes. “We encouraged the parents to utilize this grant for the intended purpose and not divert it to other things,” she said.
Lucy Josiah, a parent of one of the beneficiaries, thanked Choithram International Foundation and the committee, describing the scholarship as timely support that would ease the burden of school expenses and help keep their child focused on education. She further expressed hope for the continuation of the grant.
Antontte Mewen, a pupil beneficiary from Methodist Girls High School, expressed happiness and gratitude to the Foundation, promising to study harder and remain disciplined so as to continue benefiting from the scholarship.
Harish Agnani commended the committee members for their voluntary service noting that the selection process often takes four to six weeks to ensure transparency and fairness.
The ceremony climaxed with the official presentation of the grant cheque by Harish Agnani, Chief Executive Officer of Choithram Group, to Cornelia Gabbidon, a Committee Member of the Choithram Scholarship Fund, followed by the distribution of grants to beneficiaries.
