By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Choithram International Foundation has awarded scholarship grants to a total of two hundred and sixty-four (264) pupils from various schools across the country, comprising primary school pupils and those in Junior and Senior Secondary schools in the country, with the bulk from Freetown, on the 23rd January, 2024. The first batch of beneficiaries, in this annual event, received their scholarship grants on the 23rd January, 2024 while the final batch will receive theirs on Wednesday, the 24th January, 2024.
Present during the ceremony were the Financial Controller of Choithram Group, Harish Agnani, Chairperson of the Choithram Trust Fund Committee, Easterline Palmer, Secretary to the Committee-Williette Williams, the beneficiaries, their parents and members of the Press.
In his address, Harish Agnani welcomed all to the annual event which he disclosed was initiated since 1967 by Pa Choithram and since that time it had been held uninterruptedly, even during turbulent times like the outbreaks of Ebola and COVID-19. He extended special thanks to the Choithram International Foundation for holding the fort and for being so steadfast.
The Financial Controller disclosed that this year the scholarship fund was increased to a whooping sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand New Leones (NLe250,000), which previously would have been Le 250 Million, simply because they were keen on increasing the number of pupils that should benefit.
He made it categorically clear that the scholarship gesture falls under the ambit of the Choithram Groups’ Corporate Social Responsibility. “Although it is known that the ruling Government is paying fees for pupils under the Free Quality Education Programme, we, however, thought it fitting that our gesture will complement the Government’s initiative and also empower parents to secure uniforms, bags, shoes and most importantly avail their kids with transport fares,” he stated.
He, also, entreated the parents to make good use of the opportunity and monitor their children to ensure that they concentrate on their educational pursuits further emphasizing the importance of education to individual growths and the nation’s development.
Harish Agnani emphasized that the scholarship scheme is mainly meant to benefit Sierra Leoneans exclusively also highlighting that when once a beneficiary falls below expectation by failing in school the scholarship will automatically be withdrawn.
According to him, the Choithram International Foundation is also supporting the Choithram Memorial Hospital disclosing how they have recently installed a MRI Machine at the hospital which, he said, will soon become operational and accessible to members of the public. He also pointed out that during the last two weeks doctors from Germany did over 60 surgeries at no cost to patients adding that the Choithram Charity Trust also supplies foodstuff to Old People’s and Children’s Homes every month.
Chairperson of the Choithram Charity Trust Fund Committee, Easterline Palmer, in her brief statement thanked the Chief Administrator for all what they are doing underscoring that the scholarship offer is just part of what the bigger things they are doing for the country.
She revealed that the committee’s work is one that is tedious disclosing that in order to avoid an influx of applicants they deviated to use the mass medium to put out notices. Instead, she continued, they decided to use another transparent means of asking schools which they believe have needy and vulnerable pupils, to provide them a list of those pupils.
Easterline Palmer revealed how they have forms that the applicants should fill and from the information they receive they will look for pupils who are vulnerable especially those coming from extreme poor parental backgrounds. She reiterated that the monies offered are meant to buy uniforms, books and for provision of transport fares.
According to her the beneficiaries of this year’s scholarship are a blend of continuing pupils, who excelled last year in their academic work and new applicants.
The Chairperson concluded that before dishing out the grants the beneficiaries were asked to present their letters of offer, results and passport pictures for proper identification maintaining that the pupils, not their parents, must sign for their monies.
She thanked the Choithram Foundation for the humanitarian gesture further admonishing parents of pupils in higher levels to ensure that their children write letters of thanks so that the Foundation members will become aware that they are making an impact. “Primary school pupils will receive the sum of NLe 800, Junior Secondary pupils NLe900 and Senior Secondary School Pupils NLe1, 000,” she also disclosed.
In her closing remarks, the Secretary to the Choithram Charity Trust Committee, Williette Williams, made a passionate appeal to the parents for the timely submission of the children’s Report or Progress Cards or Results in order to aid the Committee to do its processing work timely. She affirmed that failure to do so could lead to a beneficiary losing an opportunity. She thanked and appreciated all the pupils that are doing well and informed parents to make sure that their children concentrate on their studies.
According to her the Foundation has awarded scholarships to pupils in the provinces but was quick to state that the majority of beneficiaries are from Freetown.
Williette thanked the Foundation for making the scheme possible underscoring how the disabled, slum kids are benefiting. On success stories, she mentioned how some of those who benefitted from the scholarship are today lawyers, a contractor , others in influential positions who came back to say thanks.
The highpoint of the programme was the handing over of the cheque by Harish Agnani to the Chairperson, Easterline Palmer, in the presence of the beneficiaries, parents and members of the Press.
