By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In a demonstration of its unwavering commitment to education, the Choithram International Foundation awarded scholarships to 282 deserving pupils from various schools across Sierra Leone. The brief but significant ceremony took place on February 12, 2025, at the Choithram Head Office on Rawdon Street in Freetown, attracting pupils, their parents, guardians and members of the Press.
Welcoming attendees, the Financial Comptroller of Choithram Group, Harish Agnani, reaffirmed the Choithram International Foundation’s dedication to supporting academic excellence. He disclosed that the annual scholarship initiative, funded by the Choithram International Foundation, has been in existence since 1967.
Harish Agnani emphasized that the selection process remains transparent and merit-based, with no involvement from Choithram’s Management. “The selection and allocation of grants are handled by an independent Committee that ensures fairness and transparency,” he stated. Applicants are required to submit their academic results and only those who meet the necessary criteria are selected.
“This year, a total sum of Two Hundred and Sixty Thousand Leones (NLe 260,000) has been allocated for the beneficiaries,” Harish Agnani disclosed, further breaking down the figures: 262 continuing pupils and 20 new beneficiaries. He underscored that the financial assistance would ease the burden on parents despite the Government’s Free Quality Education initiative, ensuring that pupils receive the necessary support for their educational journey.
Beyond education, he highlighted the Foundation’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility, particularly its contributions to healthcare. “The Foundation continues to support the Choithram Memorial Hospital, enhancing its medical equipment and organizing free healthcare camps,” he stated. He also noted that a recent collaboration with a team of German doctors facilitated 70 pediatric surgeries at no cost to patients.
Chairperson of the T. Choithram Scholarship Fund Selection Committee, Easterline Palmer, reflected on the Foundation’s long-standing dedication to education. “Choithram has been a pillar of support, even during difficult times such as the civil war, the Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic. Their commitment to education has remained unwavering,” she said.
Easterline Palmer further elaborated on this year’s beneficiaries, revealing that 72 primary school pupils were selected, along with 210 junior and senior secondary school students justifying how it has been discovered that parents for secondary school pupils are sometimes reluctant to undertake educational financing a situation that explains the high number of secondary school beneficiaries.
According to her, primary school recipients will receive NLe 800, junior secondary school pupils NLe 900 and senior secondary school pupils NLe 1,000.
Commending Choithram’s Management for allowing the Committee to operate independently, Easterline Palmer assured the audience that selection decisions were made strictly on merit. She also urged parents to ensure that the grants should be utilized for their intended purpose and encouraged them to foster a culture of academic diligence among their children. “Parents should refrain from any form of examination malpractice, as it undermines the values of hard work and perseverance,” she cautioned.
Expressing her gratitude, Isatu Saccoh, a parent of one of the beneficiaries, thanked the Foundation for its continued support. “This scholarship will greatly assist in purchasing essential school materials for my child,” she stated.
The event concluded with the official presentation of a cheque for NLe 260,000 by Harish Agnani to Easterline Palmer. Immediately following the ceremony, the disbursement of grants to the beneficiaries commenced, marking yet another successful chapter in Choithram International Foundation’s enduring legacy of educational empowerment.
