By Foday Moriba Conteh
As part of their support to less privileged communities in the country, the Youth in Action for the Development of Islam (YADI) has on Sunday 7th June, 2020 commissioned newly constructed seven (7) meter deep water well to residents of the Matainkay Community, Waterloo Western Rural District.
In his statement, the Founder/Executive Director, Youths in Action for the Development of Islam, Amadu Wurie Barrie, disclosed that the gesture is the 6th volume of their annual Ramadan Charity Project (RCP), which aims at targeting various vulnerable and needy people, adding that the establishment of “Al-Kawthar Water Well” is a perfect tradition of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and religiously serves best during the Holy month of Ramadan.
He disclosed that YADI was founded on the 5th May 2014 and since its establishment it has undertaken Dawah and the implementation of educational activities, supporting sisters to take up hijab and had undertaken the presentation of the National Islamic Awards (NIA) for the past years furthering how they are keen to serve humanity saying they will continue their efforts towards ensuring having a brighter future.
He added that amidst the Corona Pandemic, water is regarded as a paramount weapon in deprived communities referencing the Matainkay Community highlighting how many organisations have been donating bars of soap, facial masks and other items to vulnerable people, pinpointing that most forget to consider the fact that those items cannot be effectively utilized if water is not available.
Barrie said it is against such backdrop that they thought it fit to construct the seven meter deep well for the vulnerable community with the strong belief that it will contribute to the fight against COVID-19 and also ease the constraints faced by residents especially women and girls to access water during the dry season.
On his part, the Project Coordinator, Foday Conteh, expressed appreciation to the residents of Matainkay Community for their support during the implementation of the project.
He said that RCP is an annual activity that is undertaken by YADI, noting that through the project they have contributed tremendously to improve the lives of Sierra Leoneans. He maintained that during previous years, YADI reached out to numerous vulnerable and needy people residing in deprived communities, as well as orphanages, Quran memorization centers, hospitalized patients, physically impaired etc.
He said that YADI doesn’t have external support, but with the little contributions by the membership and considerable support by other compassionate Muslims, they have been able to keep the dream alive.
Foday Conteh appealed to the beneficiaries to take good care of the well to ensure that it is not mismanaged. He informed the gathering that the entire project was facilitated by the YADI Executive with support from Sheikh Farouk Adam Bah, YADI’s Consultant for Religious Affairs.
In his address, the Project Supervisor, Mohamed Samura disclosed that a feasibility study was done at Waterloo on the 6th May 2020, resulting in the selection the Matainkay Community as the project target site.
The site, on which the well was dug, was provided by one brother Mustapha, adding that the Community is said to have about 600-700 residents, and is faced with a huge challenge of accessing pure water supply especially during dry seasons and that the digging of the well commenced on the 16th May, 2020 and was completed within two weeks.
He also urged the residents of Matainkay Community to see the well as their property in order for it to be owned and be sustained.
Mohamed Kargbo, a community elder, who happens to be a beneficiary, expressed appreciation to the Youths in Action for the Development of Islam for implementing such a project within their community. He underscored that the community is faced with water accessibility especially during the dry seasons.
He said with the construction of the well will reduce the constraints faced by residents to access water expressing how he cannot voice his feelings in words, but assured they will always remember the pioneers and supporters of the project.
He assured YADI that the community will take proper care of the well further ensuring its sustainability and urged YADI to consider other communities in such with gesture.
