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‘A Plus Foundation’ & ‘Salone Drip House’ Donate to the Less Privileged 

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In line with their commitment to support the less privileged in society with the view of offering them opportunities to reach their full potentials as well as access basic human necessities in the country, A Plus Charity Foundation, in collaboration with the “Salone Drip House”, has on Sunday 26th March, 2023 donated 50 bags of rice (25kg) to the less privileged within the Fourah Bay Community.

The A Plus Charity Foundation and Salone Drip House also supported the reconstruction project of Masjid Aqsa, situated on Boyle Street, with 30 bags of cement which was handed over to the mosque authorities.

National Coordinator of A Plus Charity Foundation, Mohamed Kamara, intimated that as a responsible entity they thought it fit to undertake the aforementioned donation on behalf of the three Chief Executive Officers, James Barack Kamara, Chernor Tejan Bah, and Mikailu Bah who are based in the United States of America stating how they undertook the move out of the strong conviction that such could be helpful especially at this decisive moment.

Speaking to this medium during an online interview, one of the Chief Executive Officers of A Plus Charity Foundation and Salone Drip House, James Barack Kamara, stated that as a way of giving back to society they decided to embark on such a donation further adding that as Sierra Leoneans, who are currently based in the United States of America, they decided to  retain 40 percent of the profit they are making from the Salone Drip House clothing project and use it  to do donations in the country.

He revealed how they decided to merge the A Plus Charity Foundation and Salone Drip House brand in order to support the less privilege in the country, a feat which he said they have been doing over the years.

James Barack Kamara encouraged Sierra Leoneans living in the diaspora to always consider giving back to the less privileged in the country, maintaining that if all Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora decide to emulate their footsteps then a lot of lives will be touched in the country through their kind gestures.

“We don’t need to be rich before we bless others, because your little gesture can make a difference in someone’s life. We are calling on all Sierra Leoneans living in the diaspora to see the need to give back to our beloved nation,” he pleaded.

One of the beneficiaries of the rice donation, Fatu Sesay, expressed appreciation and gratitude to the A Plus Charity Foundation and Salone Drip House for the gesture which she described as not only important but said came timely.

She assured them that the donation will be used for the intended purposes further calling on other humanitarian organizations and individuals to follow the footsteps of A Plus Charity Foundation and Salone Drip House towards supporting the less privileged in the country especially at this decisive moment.

The Second Imam of the Masjid Aqsa, Benjamin Kamara, expressed appreciation to the A Plus Charity Foundation and Salone Drip House for supporting the reconstruction of the mosque with 30 bags of cement which he described as very important to the reconstruction of the mosque.

He said the mosque building project is currently challenged with materials for the completion of the mosque of which he called on all to support its reconstruction.

NP (SL) Ltd Prioritizes Giving Utmost Satisfaction to its Numerous Customers

NP-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd)

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

NP-SL Ltd is working towards ensuring that supply is continually flowing in or maintained. This pro-activeness, on the part of the company, has made it quite possible for stocks to last over periods of time in order to avert the occurrence of shortages.

Interestingly, NP-SL is not a Government entity or appendage; no politician has a share in it as its shareholders are mere ordinary Sierra Leoneans, starting with 35 of them who some time ago bought shares from the Government out of their end of service benefits to establish what today has become a towering entity (NP-SL) to reckon with in the business landscape.

As had been fallaciously propagated by certain ill-motivated persons, who do not mean well for this country, that there are certain politicians that have vested interests in the company, our investigations have proven otherwise.

NP-SL is a 100% indigenous company to the letter and it has weathered various storms that could have dwarfed it or left it to extinct save therapeutic intermittent Managerial injections that keep it upright and on the right course.

Demonstrating its true Sierra Leonean identity the company has maintained a policy of strictly adhering to the Local Content Policy ensuring that it has a maximum indigenous staff in its employ. What this actually means is empowering our brothers and sisters to access employment opportunities and reduce poverty.

As a matter of fact some of its members continue to benefit from various trainings that have afforded them the conduit to imbibe useful skills to efficiently carry out certain tasks. If we are counting the number of companies that have upheld the Local Content Policy, without any iota of doubt, NP-SL could be seen at the top.

This intrinsic nationalistic posture of the company runs through and it is a sine qua non to overall national development. If such a compliance rate should have been followed by other local companies, willingly, without any pressure from the relevant authorities then indisputably this country should have been miles away in its development trajectory.

Business Management experts have made it abundantly clear that the way and manner in which customers are cared for in terms of talking to them, making them feel at ease go a long way in attracting them. Such should be done sincerely in order to make them more important. NP-SL for a very long period now has mastered that art and executing it so well which definitely is paying dividends.

1st for Customer Care was earned by the company because it has been widely acclaimed by many for solidly executing such.

In its drive to optimize customer satisfaction the company went the extra mile to install calibrated pumping machines which are not only modern but trustworthy, as opposed to old pumping machines which certain unscrupulous individuals used to cheat unassuming customers.

This is helping to repose confidence in customers that they are dealing with a very transparent entity. The friendliness of their pump attendants is very impressive and they are always there to timely respond to various concerns.

Still within the purview of 1st for Customer Care, the company is always in position to enter into payment plans with its reliable and dependable customers including Ministries, Departments and Agencies for supplied fuel and lubricants as long as all the necessary modalities have been put in place.

When cognizance is taken of the fact that some of these institutions receive intermittent budgetary allocations then such an arrangement is very significant. Its significance in real terms borders on functional continuity of those institutions as they will be assured of supplies of petroleum products in as much as they keep honoring their obligations.

For those who have not tried NP Gas for the first time it is now time to give it a try. Designed in sizable varying cylinders and sold at various NP Filling Stations, this cooking device has been rated as one of the best that is on offer for sale. NP Gas is safe, user friendly and portable. Trying it will spur you to recommend it to others.

NP Smart Card is now in vogue and is one of the latest technological devices used to purchase petroleum products. Using it has attendant advantages as evident in procuring fuel at any time of the day even during times when monies could not be accessed from banks. It is secured, easy to use and very quick. It is now trending.

To crystallize proposed projects into tangible realities on the ground, Government needs the required financial resources to effectively do so and one sure way is from collection of taxes which is the mandate of the National Revenue Authority (NRA).  NP is one big tax payer to Government and it has been doing so timely.

NP-SL remains undaunted, unperturbed amidst all the challenges it is going through and conscientiously it is steadily contributing to the socio-economic development of the country as well as  positively changing communities and lives.

Leone Rock Metals Disregards Govt’s Directive

There is a school of thought that strongly believes that  the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Leone Rock Metals and CTC Mining, whilst the contract signed between the Government and people of Sierra Leone (owners of the property) and Kingho Rail and Port company had been terminated, is a gross disrespect to the directive of the Government, which was communicated to Kingho in a termination notice issued to its CEO.

Many Sierra Leoneans believe that any investor operating in the country has to comply with the dictates of the Government, which is acting on behalf of the people of Sierra Leone, and the fact that the agreement with Kingho had been terminated, is a clear indication that the Government had taken over the operations of the company and given it to another company that it feels is in line with its development agenda. The new contract entered into between the Government and Arise IIP, has among other benefits, enhancement of trade between Sierra Leone and the sister Republic of Guinea, the enhancement of transportation of goods of citizens from both countries at an affordable cost, the easing of transportation of agricultural products from that part of the country to the city, which will effectively reduce the cost of living, especially at such trying times, and boost the economy of the country. The new company is contracted to expand the rail services to Guinea, and to refurbish the port.

It could be recalled that according to the agreement entered into between the Government and Kingho, a subsidiary of Leone Rock Metals company, a caveat existed, where the Government, after two years of operation, has the right to review the said contract and to terminate or invite other players. Thus, after two years of operation, since October 2020 to date, the Government decided to terminate the contract with Kingho, as it was not satisfied with the progress made, and therefore issued a notice of termination to the company, informing it of its desire to contract Arise IIP to manage the rail and port.

Kingho, in a letter written to the Government, indicated its reservations over the said termination and furthered that it will take legal action against the Government.

Unfortunately, up to the time of the signing of the agreement with CTC Mining company, no legal document had been provided by any court to stop the Government from going ahead with its engagement with Arise IIP. As a result, the termination of the said contract still stands.

With the above in mind, it is clear that Leone Rock Metals, a subsidiary of Kingho Rail and Port, is in complete violation of the directive of the Government’s termination of the contract it had with Kingho, and should not in any way be going into any contract or agreement with any company in respect of the use of the rail and port without the expressed consent and permission of the Government of Sierra Leone.

This action by Leone Rock has therefore been seen as a complete disrespect for the authority of the Government and people of Sierra Leone, and anyone signing such agreement with it will be doing so at its own risk.

Leone Afric Metals Pays 120 Teachers Salaries & Offers 500 Bags of rice to Residents

One hundred and twenty teachers on Sunday, 26th March, 2023, received salaries from the Lithium Leone Afric Metals Mining Company which also donated five hundred bags of rice to every household in Ngowahun Chiefdom, Bombali District.

The donation brought teachers and residents from Lawgbaray village, Mansongbo, Makatatay, Tambima, Mayata and other villages in the District.

According to the Country Representative of Leone Afric Metals, Fassally Tarawallie, such humanitarian gesture was done due to the company’s promises made to the chiefdom heads that Leone Afric Metal Company will provide salaries for 100 teachers who are not on Government pin code within the chiefdom. “These teachers are doing exceptionally well to raise future leaders in the country and as a company that believes in education and mining developments, we are here today to boost the confidence of these teachers by giving them salaries for one year. This will enable them to be effective and efficient in the classrooms,” Fassally disclosed

Speaking to beneficiaries and residents present, the Chief Executive Officer of Leone Afric Metals Mining Company, CEO Zong said that the company is here to stay, help develop the country through mining. He added that they will build two schools within Ngowahun Chiefdom – one will be for those interested in learning Chinese language and the other school will be built for those who want to learn the normal school system in Sierra Leone. He added that as a company, they will continue to bring development and job opportunities for the residents in the chiefdom.

Speaking on behalf of Ngowahun Chiefdom, Paramount Chief Kandeh Gbanga 111 thanked and appreciated the empowerment of these 120 teachers who are working tirelessly to raise generational leaders through education. “As a chiefdom we will continue to welcome every development brought by the Leone Afric Metal company for they are in our chiefdom to make our lives better,” Paramount Chief Kandeh Gbanga 111 pointed out.

One of the beneficiaries is a primary school agriculture teacher Mamusu Kargbo who appreciated the humanitarian gesture by Leone Metal Company. “I have been a teacher for over five years within getting any salary. Today I am overwhelmed because my effort has been recognized, she said.” She called on the company to continue with such financial aid.

One of the company’s activities is to extract lithium in Bombali district. Lithium is widely used in batteries as a heater in a few mediums and as well as a component in various metal alloys. It is also used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, depression, and other mental health conditions due to its mood-stabilizing properties.

SLAJ & NDI Wage War against Disinformation Vis-à-Vis the 2023 Elections

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

A project to combat disinformation around Sierra Leone’s 2023 public elections was officially launched on the 24th March, 2023 at the Elections Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) Conference Hall on Tower Hill in Freetown.

Supported by the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the project is aimed at ensuring the integrity of the information landscape during the electoral cycle and to promote free, fair, and non-violent elections.

Dr. Francis Sowa, from the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), noted that disinformation is deliberate and intentional, and political parties and individuals often engage in disinformation campaigns during elections. He added that SLAJ’s campaign to combat disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle is a key component of the organization’s work in electoral processes, and it should also be intentional and deliberate.

The Chairman of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), Dr. Victor Massaquoi, expressed excitement about working with all players to combat what he described as the unholy trinity of disinformation, misinformation, and mal-information. He warned that disinformation can reduce trust in Government institutions and urged everyone to take responsibility for combating the scourge of fake news.

Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, President of SLAJ, presented the Combating Disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 Electoral Cycle project. According to him, the project will monitor, identify, pre-bunk, and debunk disinformation and its engendered forms, including hate speech. It will also build SLAJ’s capacity to counter disinformation, increase citizens’ awareness of disinformation trends, and improve access to credible information on national political processes.

According to Nasralla, the project will also promote media safeguards against engendered disinformation and hate speech and support women’s chances of success in the 2023 elections.

“Accurate information is crucial to the success of public elections. Citizens should have access to the correct information to enable them to participate and make informed decisions around the elections,” said Nasralla.

Mohamed Ibrahim Konneh, NDI Resident Senior Programme Director, emphasized the need to continue combating disinformation even after the elections, as it is an ongoing menace. He urged all citizens, whether politicians, civil society, or journalists, to target, mitigate, and eliminate all forms of disinformation across the country.

In his keynote address, the Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone, Mohamed K. Konneh, thanked SLAJ and NDI for their efforts in combating disinformation, noting that it is becoming a threat to democracy worldwide. He identified disinformation as one of the major threats to the country’s democracy and good governance ahead of the elections.

Konneh urged members of the public to listen to authentic sources of information and confirm when they receive information on social media. He also assured the public that the Electoral Commission will continue to be transparent, inclusive, and open to members of the public. The project will continue until 2024, and SLAJ is set to establish a SuperNewsRoom (SNR) at its headquarters in Freetown and sub-SNRs in its regional offices in Makeni, Bo, Kenema, and Port Loko to coordinate the fight against disinformation.

The event was attended by Election Management Bodies including the Political Parties Regulation Committee (PPRC), the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), the Office of National Security (ONS), the Initiative for Media Development (IMDEV), SLAJ affiliate bodies and the Chairman Guild of Newspaper Editors among others.

MRCG Concludes 2-Day Training for Journalists on ‘Professional Media Coverage & Conflict Sensitive Reporting’

 By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Newspaper Editors, radio and television Station Managers and reporters benefitted from a 2-day training of trainers’ on ‘Promoting Professional Media Coverage and Conflict Sensitive Reporting of the 2023 Multi-tier Elections in Sierra Leone’conducted by the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), with support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

The training, which commenced on March 22 and ended on the 23rd March, 2023 at the New City Council Hall in Freetown, was attended by journalists from media houses across Sierra Leone.

Dr. Francis Sowa ,National Director for MRCG, pointed out how the training seeks to train journalists, Editors and Station Managers in conflict sensitive reporting to enable them appreciate the need to engage in conflict sensitive reporting during the 2018 election campaign.

Participants were advised to avoid publishing and broadcasting hate messages and fake news, while he also encouraged them to make effective use of the ethical guidelines on reporting elections in the IMC Code of Practice and other media laws.

Acting Director of Information in the Ministry of Information and Communications, Emmanuel A.B Turay, appealed to journalists to serve their conscience and country. He said: “If you do your best in giving out factual reports you will be named on the next phase of our democracy. You should not be seen serving any region or tribe. Sierra Leone comes first.”

Chairman of the Independent Media Commission (MIC), Dr. Victor Massaquoi underscored the importance of using the IMC Code of Practice to ensure professionalism in media reports.

President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla said the media is playing an instrumental role in influencing opinions and media practitioners must do that in a professional manner by promoting the ethics in the profession and to follow the legal frameworks.

Topics covered during the training were, Covering and Reporting on Elections, Legal Framework on Elections, Conflict-Sensitive Reporting, IMC Guidelines on Elections Reporting, Hate Speech, Fake News and Social Media, Reporting on Women and Persons with Disabilities, Managing Information and Expectations and Safety and Protection of Journalists were topics that were covered during the training.

Other major topics discussed during the training include; Why Facts Matter: The Importance of Fact Checking; How and Why False Information Spreads, Tips for Spotting False Information Online and Online Fact-Checking and Verification tools.

Participants from the different regions were able to talk about the challenges they face whilst covering the electoral processes. They were given guiding principles by the different facilitators who went through their topics in an interactive manner.

Former Councillor Unisa Totti Fofanah Highlights Immense Contributions to Development

Former Councillor and Ambassador, Unisa Totti Fofanah, is among the personalities vying for the APC Mayoral Symbol of Port Loko City for the June 24th, 2023 elections.

The young man has been identified as a beacon of hope to transform Port Loko City during his stewardship as Ward Councillor from 2018-2023. Based on his extraordinary leadership performance, the people of Port Loko City, in high spirit, has encouraged him to contest for the symbol for that position as he has been tested and now he has been trusted.

He is widely described as a national youth icon, a community development expert, a social development innovator, a humanitarian activist, a gender transformative champion and also an Executive Director for a youth-led organization that seeks to contribute meaningfully to humanity and societal development. His Project writing skills, Advocacy, Coordination and Lobbying cannot be compared to any other contender. Therefore, he has deemed it significant to share his community development contributions and achievements with the media, the party executive at all levels and the general public on series of social events and engagements.

✓ The Establishment and sustainability of Bai Bureh Heritage foundation- a youth led organization that seeks to contribute meaningfully to humanity and societal development in Port Loko district.

✓ Providing mentorship and capacity building to over 1,000 young people through the annual youth summit, seminars, public engagement and the Post secondary internship program.

✓ Contributed to social development activities through financial and technical support.

✓ Providing University scholarships to 10 young people in various Universities through resource mobilization from like-minded individuals and institutions.

✓ Successfully advocated and coordinated the screening and distribution of free high blood pressure and diabetes drugs to over 100 aged people in Port Loko city.

✓ Advocated and facilitated the successfully Medical operation of 10 residents suffering from hydrocele and ania.

✓ Boosting socio economic activities through the annual lantern parade and cultural explosion.

✓ Lobbied for the free distribution of assorted eye medication to over 100 people in Kabatha section and Romaka section.

✓ Supported the city volleyball team (Bai Bureh Spikers) with new set of jerseys in 2019 and 2022.

✓ Supported the Maforki Female Football team in Maforki town with training jerseys.

✓ Participated in the Diaspora resource mobilization for Bai Bureh Warriors football club.

✓ Participated in the fight against Covid-19 through the provision of rice to less privileged people during lock down, provision of soap, Veronica buckets and over 2,000 face masks.

-Initiated the Ramadan charity donation (rice) to over 150 less privilege families especially the aged, the visually impaired and physically challenged since 2019.

-Provided Sitting accommodation for 220 School Children Magharramah Primary School lower Maforki.

-Initiated and facilitated the construction of the Kamaranka and Robat hand pump well.

✓ Provided Groundnuts seedlings support to rural farmers on Zero percentage.

✓ Provided 75 Bicycles to school pupils walking from   3-5 Miles since 2018 to access Education.

✓ Provided cement support to Elders Ataya base, Mixing Chamber, NP Okada base, Kambia Road Okada base and Hill Top base during the construction of the various centers.

✓ Donated rechargeable solar lights to some mosques in Kabatha section during 2022 Ramadan.

✓ Annual donation of solar lights to both BECE and WASSCE study centers within Port LOKO City.

✓ Provided shelter (clothing’s) to children in the rural communities of Gbare Morie section.

✓ Provided support to the Schlenkar secondary School and Catholic secondary School will gallons of paints.

✓ Promoted 11 Port Loko musicians through a music fiesta that creates way for the bulk payment of our local musicians.

✓ Promoting education through inter-schools Debates and quiz competition among schools in port Loko City.

✓ Initiated the platform for citizens recognition through the annual Bai Bureh service Delivery awards.

✓ Construction of standard toilet facility for the people of Gbare Morie village.

✓ Construction of the Kabatha Kurr community water well to be completed by June.

✓ Provided support to some local business women to upkeep their petty trading activities

✅  Created a mini home for less privileged children

✅  Rehabilitated the New Kabatha Mosque.

✅  Construction of Kabatha Kurr Village Water Well in progress.

✅  Supported the United Council of Imams with the 10 Bags of Cement on the construction of their regional office.

2023 Orange Social Venture Prize Competition

2023 Orange Social Venture Prize

Official submissions of applications is now open, applicants from the 17 Orange Affiliates in Africa and Middle East including Sierra Leone must apply for both the National and International competition and should submit their applications on or before the 21st May 2023 at the website below:

Links to apply:

Stages: The National stage for which Applications will be collected from the 13th March to 21ST May 2023 for the National and Women’s competition saying at the end of the application phase, a jury made up of representatives of the Orange’s start-up ecosystem will meet to select the 3 national winners and the Women’s Noble winner. The winners will receive the following prizes: NLe 100,000 – National Winner and NLe 50,000 for the Women’s Winner.

 

NP-SL Ltd Hands Over Refurbished Squash Facilities to St. Edwards & Grammar School 

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Committed as always in the rolling out of impactful and memorable gestures under the portfolio of its Corporate Social Responsibility mainly geared towards enhancing attitudinal change as well as promoting healthy competition amongst school children and develop their minds not only in the pursuit of academic excellence but also to fairly compete in the game of squash, NP(SL)Ltd, on the 23rd& 24th March, 2023 respectively, handed over newly refurbished Squash Facilities to the St. Edwards Secondary School and the Sierra Leone Grammar School.

Speaking on behalf of the Sierra Leone Squash Association, the Public Relations Officer of the Association, Sosthenes Smith expressed appreciation to NP (SL) Ltd for undertaking the refurbishment of the Squash Facilities which he described as a laudable venture towards the development and promotion of Squash in the country.

He disclosed how the Association is recognized by the National Olympic Committee and the National Sports Authority, adding that as part of the goal of the President of the Sierra Leone Squash Association is to ensure that Squash is introduced at the school level in the country, the Association has been working with Physical Health Education teachers in over eleven different schools in the country.

The PRO further applauded NP (SL) Ltd for upgrading squash facilities in schools which, he said, had made it possible for the game of Squash to be played. He appealed to the petroleum marketing company, on behalf of the Association, to support the actualization of the President of the Association’s goal in ensuring that the game of Squash is be played by school pupils in the country.

“I want NP (SL) Ltd to work with the Association in order to sponsor the training of school pupils and provide them with Squash equipment. I also want to conclude by appealing to Heads of Schools and Pupils to make good use of these facilities provided for you all,” he maintained.

He informed the gathering that the Association and NP(SL)Ltd are planning to host a one day inter secondary school Squash tournament for pupils in the country.

The Principal of St. Edwards Secondary School, Freddie R. Wyse said as a school they are so proud to receive the newly refurbished Squash facility. He commended NP (SL) Ltd for the laudable venture of which he assured the company that a Management Team will be put in place to oversee the proper use of the facility.

He said that as a school they are looking forward to inter house and inter secondary school competitions in order to promote the game of Squash among pupils.

The Chief Executive Officer of NP (SL) Ltd, Amb. Kobi Walker who addressed the gathering at the St. Edwards Secondary School said as a company they are very pleased to re-dedicate, re-launch and hand over the newly refurbished Squash facility which he said was constructed by the company in 2012.

He said that the company decided to establish these Squash facilities in schools because it was in schools in 1830 when technically the game of Squash was born at Harrow School in the UK.

The Chief Executive Officer said that the refurbishment of the facilities is to enhance attitudinal change and promote healthy competitions amongst school children and to develop their minds not only to pursue academic excellence but to fairly compete in the game of Squash.

The Acting Principal of the Sierra Leone Grammar School, Rev. Pinkley Wilhem, also used the opportunity to commend NP (SL) Ltd for the refurbishment of the facility at their school.

He said games and sports bring friendship and peace to a nation of which he encouraged all to put aside differences and come together in order to support the game of Squash in the country.

Delivering his keynote address at the Sierra Leone Grammar School, the General Manager NP (SL) Ltd, Saidu Mansaray, said that the facilities at the various schools will promote education, health and sport, adding that over the past 10 years the company has endeavored to support education, health and sport through the building of schools, WASH facilities and Squash Facilities.

He said that the company has built Squash Facilities at the Sierra Leone Grammar School, Fourah Bay College, St. Edwards Secondary School, and Bo Government Secondary School.

The General Manager also expressed the view that the idea of building Squash facilities in various educational institutions is to provide students and non-students within respective communities an alternative to other traditional sports.

“As a company we believe that combining sport and education can help students develop self-motivation that will enable them to do things on their own while encouraging and promoting unity, diversity and harmony among pupils,” he stated.

Saidu Mansaray encouraged pupils to take advantage of the opportunity in order to develop their minds and bodies using sport as a conduit as they continue to engage each other with peace, love and unity.

He informed the gathering that in fulfilling the company’s tradition the company is proud to inform all that they are launching their annual Squash competition for schools and colleges in which winners will be rewarded with motivational prizes such as medals, trophies and scholarships.

The delivery of vote of thanks were done by pupils of both schools during which they expressed gratitude and appreciation to NP (SL) Ltd for the facilities followed by short exhibition march passes by the pupils.

Caritas Freetown Trains School Advocacy Groups on Issues Related to SGBV

By Abubakarr Harding

Caritas Freetown held a one-day training session on Gender-Based Violence for School Advocacy Forum Group Members on Friday, March 24th, at the Kandeh Turay Hall at Waterloo. The event attracted 20 targeted Schools and 2 Focal Teachers from each school.

The purpose of the training was to train Young Ambassadors for Change in order for its members to have an understanding of Gender-Based Violence and school-related Gender-Based Violence, to know the difference between Sex and Gender, and identify harmful gender practices in schools and communities to raise awareness, to know the referral pathways (Trusted Adults), to report gender-based violence issues and become familiar with the gender-based violence laws, and for them to know the unique roles they should perform in their various Schools to ensure Gender-Based Violence is mitigated.

The training sessions were facilitated by Christian Davies Carter and  Aruna Conteh. The facilitation sessions were carried out in a participatory and interactive manner as the pupils were organized into six groups and presentations were done by them to ensure that they fully grasp the concepts being taught.

The session on gender laws was new for the pupils, the long sentence period for perpetrators of sexual penetration and rape served as deterrence for them to abstain from committing such acts of gender-based violence.

The instant impact of the training was easily measured based on the comments, questions, and contributions made by the Pupils during the training. It was clear that there was knowledge gained at the end of each session.

The Young Ambassadors for Change and Focal Teachers willingly expressed their commitment to ensuring that they carry out awareness sensitization on sexual gender-based violence in their respective schools.

The satisfactory and knowledge gain survey questionnaire was immediately administered at the end of the training.

Kumba Gando, the Project Team Lead from Caritas Freetown stated in an interview that the training session was organized for school-going pupils from the twenty communities they have been engaging on SGBV issues.

She pointed out that Sexual Gender-Based Violence issues are always arising, despite the fact that other organizations have been doing a lot of sensitization on SGBV.

“There are still people who need to be aware of SGBV and its policies. Caritas Freetown’s aim is to complement the efforts of the Government and push forward the policies on SGBV,” she maintained.

One of the beneficiaries of the training session, Aminata Kamara, from Fawe Girls Senior Secondary School Waterloo expressed her gratitude for being part of the program.

She said while they had heard about SGBV before the training provided them with a different perspective on the issue. She acknowledged the importance of understanding SGBV and the laws surrounding it in order to prevent it from happening in their community.

According to her, with the knowledge gained from the training session, she is now in a position to implement the new perspective and strategies to prevent SGBV in her community.

Aminata’s commitment to spreading awareness and implementing what she has learned is an excellent example of how training sessions like these can inspire individuals to take action and make a positive change in their communities.

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