FoRUT REACHING AND SUPPORTING UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN SIERRA LEONE

Providing clean water to children and their families

(Left) Meeting with Chiefdom and Community stakeholders and (right) Ecstatic children welcoming the Founder and the Executive Director of Rockdale Foundation to their school at Bradford Community, Ribbi Chiefdom, Moyamba district

Rockdale Foundation one of FoRUT’s main donors has ended their visit in Sierra Leone in early March 2019 to assess the WASH/Education Project’s quality and relevance to its Program Participants in Moyamba district. The team interacted with Chiefdom, Community and Project Stakeholders in 5 project communities. The Project constructed 13 water wells in five Chiefdoms in Moyamba district which have provided children especially girls easy access to safe drinking water. It has also reduced the risks of snake bike and sexual violence of young and vulnerable girls as the water facilities were readily available in their communities instead of walking miles through bush paths to access the stream. To ensure sustainability, Community structures such as School Management Committees and Water Management Committee officials were trained and supported in the management and maintenance of the water wells.

                                 

Sierra Leone Muslim Congress Secondary School Gets a Multipurpose Building

FoRUT handed over a newly constructed multipurpose building (MPB) to the Sierra Leone Muslim Congress School administration at Kissy Mess Mess in Freetown. The building will be used as safe learning and fun space where pupils and teachers will host activities to reduce harm from alcohol and drugs among school children. Mrs. Rebecca Swaray, a board member FoRUT, chaired the handover ceremony. In her remarks, she reaffirmed FoRUT’s commitment to promoting alcohol and drug free environment around schools and leisure areas, which enables children, all things being equal, to focus on their school work, behave well and score good grades.  She mentioned that alcohol and drug abuse is one of the anti-social behaviors young people are indulge in the country.

Mr. Ibrahim Cole, Principal of Sierra Leone Muslim Congress Secondary School, informed the gathering that the issue of alcohol and drugs affects most institutions in the country of which the Sierra Leone Muslim Congress Secondary School is no exception. Mr. Cole confirmed that some school pupils take alcohol. He lauded FoRUT’s effort in training both pupils and teachers on the harmful effects of alcohol and drugs and supporting them to engage in activities that involve the rest of the pupils in the school. Members of the Children and Young People’s (CYP) club sang a song and performed a play, both depicting how alcohol and drug abuse contribute to youth violence, teenage pregnancy, school dropout, and gangsterism.

Mrs. Kadie Jackson, Board Member of FoRUT Handing over keys to the Building

Mrs. Kadie Jackson, who represented the Board Chair of FoRUT, handed over of the building to Dr. Sheku D. Gassama, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the school. Mrs. Jackson explained that FoRUT takes a development and rights-based approach to addressing alcohol and drug misuse among children. Dr. Gassama thanked FoRUT for the wonderful offer and promised that the school will use the facility for its intended purpose. Other stakeholders that attended the event were the Deputy Director General Inspectorate of schools Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) Western Area Mrs. Nanah Bockarie, Chairperson Sierra Leone Alcohol Policy Alliance (SLAPA) Mr. Ibrahim Kamara, pupils, parents, and teachers of the school.  The school administration is normally responsible for providing suitable sites for the MPB as well as their up keeping.                                                           

     

Newly Constructed Multi Purpose Building

FoRUT Boosts Education in Kongbora Chiefdom

Thatch structure formerly used as school

Years back this thatch structure was the only available primary school for these children in Nyagolihun Yokie village. With many of the children had to work from distance communities to attend school. In address these problems and create access for education in a decent environment Foundation for Rural and Urban Transformation (FoRUT) has brought smiles on the faces of parents. School registers, reading and teaching materials, school bell and other school items will be used to furnish the newly built school.

Three classroom school with an office

Since FoRUT supports quality education for children, a three classroom building with furnitures, and water well for safe drinking water has been handed over to the United Methodist Church in Moyamba District, Kongbora Chiefdom “My sincere and heart felt happiness goes to FoRUT for demonstrating its total commitment since the inception to the completion of the school.  Indeed it is a momentous moment in support of education in the district”. Chief Alfred Benya revealed. Chief Banya noted since he became Paramount Chief 26 years ago, FoRUT has addressed all his chiefdom development aspirations ranging from health, education and livelihood support to people.

Cross section of school children and invitees

Before the construction of the school, over one hundred and seventy pupils were attending the UMC primary school. “It is likely that the number of enrolment will increase now that there is space to accommodate more children” UMC head teacher, Samuel Kamara.” This is the only available primary school in Nyagolihun village through which children could access education. “The construction of the school marks a significant milestone in the history of Kongbora Chiefdom as the village was in dare need of a good school” said district education officer Moyamba Mr. Kebbie. He urged parents to take advantage of the opportunity by sending their children to school. “Government is sometimes challenged with the construction of schools and the selection of Nyagolihun Yokie was no mistake in promotion of children’s education.  “FoRUT is one of the few organizations that support teachers training provision of teaching and learning materials and furniture will enable children to learn in a decent environment” Mr Kebbie pointed. FORUT Secretary General

Morten Lonsted FORUT Secretary General

Morten Lonsted advised parents to take advantage of the opportunity offered for children’s education.  “A good teacher is one that inspires children without the use of the rod. School building is important because it where people get education and teachers that  motivates and committed to learn their children is an essential part in promoting of a good school.” FoRUT has complimented the efforts of government and the UMC Mission. “What we are supposed to do FoRUT has already done for us. Parents must motivate children to make a difference in their lives”

In another development, after successfully completed a six-month training program ten (10) women of New Looks Hair Dressing Salon has graduated with provision  of start-up kits ranging from hair dressing accessories, chairs, dressing mirror, packets of wevon, plastic rubbers etc to support their salon business. The support to these women in Kongbora is a continuation of FoRUT livelihood empowerment to women and young girls. Lead trainer Margret Trye noted the successful completion of the six months training marks a new chapter in the lives of the women.   “Many more young girls and women want to have the training as tthis is the first set of trainees people see them as examples of change” said Margaret. FoRUT’s Program Manager, Mustapha Sellu pointed that the provision of startup kits will go a long way in helping the trainees to earn income and make better use of the knowledge gained. FoRUT also provides soap making training with start-up kits to young people to enable them earn income so that youth stop engaged in drugs and alcohol.