By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
In a display of community spirit and generosity, Jetty Trading Company, led by Mohinder Bir Singh Sachdeva, popularly known as Pa Jetty, CEO of Jetty Trading Company, has been feeding over 1,200 people every weekend in the Lumley area. That initiative, which started in February 2024, aims to provide meals to those in need, fostering a sense of support and togetherness among residents.
P a Jetty, the driving force behind the program, revealed that the inspiration for the community food distribution came from his brother’s charitable work in Liberia. “I wanted to do something similar here,” he shared in an interview. What began as a small effort, cooking and distributing a single bag of food each Saturday, has expanded significantly, he furthered. According to him, Jetty Trading Company cooks five bags of rice on a weekly basis, ensuring a vegetarian meal is available to a diverse range of beneficiaries, including children, women, the elderly and people with disabilities.
In addition to providing food, Pa Jetty prioritizes maintaining high hygiene standards during meal preparation. He believes in sharing meals alongside the community, demonstrating the quality and sincerity of his efforts. It was learnt that as word of the initiative has spread, people from different parts of the city have joined the queue every Saturday for a hot meal. Despite the growing demand, Pa Jetty remains committed to continuing the project for as long as possible, emphasizing that he relies on divine support to sustain the initiative.
“Our goal is to inspire others to do the same,” Pa Jetty stated. He has deliberately declined offers of external donations, instead encouraging people to start their own feeding programs in their communities. He urged individuals, regardless of background, be they Indian, Lebanese, or Sierra Leonean, to take time out of their schedules to help those in need, stressing that many people possess the resources but lack the initiative.
Sheikh Abdulai Turay, the Public Relations Officer of Jetty Trading Company, echoed this message during a separate interview. He highlighted the significance of the CEO’s effort in providing food to the needy every Saturday. Since the initiative’s inception on February, it has consistently provided sustenance to approximately 1,200 people weekly, fostering a strong sense of community among attendees, he intimated.
“The impact has been significant with a consistent turnout every Saturday,” Sheikh Turay noted. He emphasized the inclusivity of the program, which serves a diverse group of beneficiaries and addresses the struggles faced by many, particularly young people in the country. He affirmed that the initiative would continue as Jetty Trading Company remains dedicated to its mission.
The impact of this program is evident in the stories of the beneficiaries, like Abdul Kamara, a disabled resident of Lumley. For Abdul, the initiative has been a lifeline. “It has been a tremendous help to me,” he shared. “Before this, I often struggled to get even one meal a day. With the support from Jetty Trading Company, I now know that I can count on a hot meal every Saturday. It might seem like a small thing to some, but for me, it makes a big difference.”
Abdul also expressed appreciation for Pa Jetty’s approach of joining the community during the meals, describing it as a sign of respect. “When Pa Jetty sits down and eats with us, it shows that he respects us and sees us as equals. It’s not just about giving food; it’s about treating people with dignity,” he said. Abdul believes that the program has brought a sense of hope and community to those who participate, many of whom have faced hardship and isolation.
