In a landmark event held at the Thomas Saquee Resource Centre in Koakoyima town, Koidu City, Kono District, on Saturday 9th September, 2023, a lease agreement worth ten thousand United States Dollars was officially signed by the Raining Season The Roots Project and the Tankoro Chiefdom Authorities for the establishment of an orphanage in Kono District. In attendance were key stakeholders, dignitaries and community members.
Deputy Mayor of Koidu New Sembehun City Council, Sheku Kamara, who chaired the event, expressed his delight in presiding over such an important occasion, which he pointed out, aims at addressing issues related to child development. He emphasized the crucial role that children play as the future leaders of the nation and urged all attendees to actively participate in programs that have the potential to develop Kono District.
Abubakarr Kanu, the Senior Protection Officer from the Ministry of Gender and Children Affairs in Kono District, shared his optimism regarding the positive impact the orphanage will have on child protection in the district. He praised the Raining Season The Roots Project for their commitment to establishing the orphanage and stressed the importance of such facilities in combating child trafficking and providing a home for children without biological parents.
Augustine Sahr Sheku, Chairman of Kono District Council, expressed his happiness at being part of this historic event as a development advocate. He welcomed the Raining Season The Roots Project’s intervention, highlighting its significance in building the capacity of both current and future generations of children.
P.C. Emmanuel Tamba T. Foyoh, Chairman of the Council of Paramount Chiefs in Kono District, acknowledged the central role of chiefs in development and expressed his support for the establishment of the orphanage, believing it would address child-related social issues in the district.
Honorable Paramount Chief, Paul Gaba Saquee V, a Member of Parliament in Kono District and the host Paramount Chief of the future orphanage, expressed his gratitude to the Raining Season The Roots Project and Meya Mining for their commendable program in his Chiefdom and Kono District as a whole. He underscored the importance of assisting the less privileged in line with biblical principles.
Abioseh Kamara, Co-Founder of the Raining Season The Roots Project, elucidated the project’s mission to create a nurturing home for orphaned children. He highlighted the organization’s history of renting properties to accommodate beneficiaries and expressed gratitude to Meya Mining for facilitating their connection with the Tankoro Chiefdom authorities. The project’s plans include constructing a home for beneficiaries, a church, school, hospital, and recreational facilities.
Other key stakeholders, including Chief Sahr Borbor Gando, the Tankoro Chiefdom Speaker, and Safea Doe, the Town Chief of Koakkoyima, also shared their thoughts and statements during the event.
In her keynote address, Mary Sonsiama Foyoh, the Gender and Child Protection Officer attached to Koidu New Sembehun City Council, expressed her gratitude to the ceremony’s participants, believing it will contribute to the district’s development and the well-being of its future generations. She commended the Raining Season for not only providing shelter and food but also education to orphaned children, aligning with international child rights standards and Sierra Leone’s Child Rights Act of 2007.
She pledged unwavering support from her institution for the successful operation of the Raining Season Root Project in Kono District and encouraged future staff of the proposed orphanage to treat the beneficiaries as their own children.
The ceremony’s highlights included the official signing of the Ten Thousand United States Dollars Lease Agreement, as well as the distribution of treated mosquito bed nets and assorted food items to various communities in Koakoyima town, Koidu City, Kono District.
