By Alieu Amara Suwu
Focus 1000 in collaboration with Sierra Leone War Trust (Fund) (SLWT) has provided support to 80 deprived and vulnerable orphans, whose vulnerability emanated from the 2014 Ebola and 2017 Motormeh Mudslide incidents.
The support, and distribution of bags of rice, provisions, school bags, uniforms, shoes, fees, and writing materials/stationeries, were done at the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) New Hall at Brookfield on 24th September 2022.
Eight children who sat the 2022 National Primary School Examination (NPSE) were recognized by giving certificates. Among those eight, four scored over an aggregate of 270, including Alimamy Sesay who scored an aggregate of 290 (highest) and Mohamed Mesheik Sesay scored an aggregate of 282.
Sheikh Abubakarr Conteh, who chaired the programme expressed mournful thoughts of the death of parents of those children who died during the Ebola and Mudslide disasters, therefore he called for a minute of silent prayers. He encouraged the parents/caregivers to patiently continue to take care of those children, as he said it is part of faith. He rounded off by explaining the aim and objectives of Focus 1000.
Alhaji Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, CEO of Focus 1000, said preparations for that day started for one almost one. Jalloh appreciated the caregivers and told them to care for the children as their own. He added that they should pay more attention to their schooling because it is key for their bright future. He explained how they have been managing to provide support to those children and their caregivers/parents; support such as providing schools materials including bags, shoes, uniforms, and even fees; providing food stuff like bags of rice, provisions, and providing for their health by paying bills when they are sick. Despite that, he said providing those supports is challenging, but they have been trying to do as it is part of their mandate.
The CEO thanked the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Basic Education, Ministry of Gender and Children Affairs, and Ministry of Social Welfare, for the support they have been giving. He also appreciated his wife who provided funds for food and thanked the staff for their relentless efforts in achieving what they have done.
Bonda Marrah from Child Fund appreciated the work of Focus 1000 and SLWT for continuously providing support for those children despite the difficult times. Marrah said Child Fund also stands for children’s development, right from worm to adulthood.
He thanked the parents/caregivers and highlighted some of the work they have been doing, so he encouraged them to stand up for the children even in challenging times, shape their characters into better ones and curtail their excesses in the way they could. He advised that they (parents/caregivers) should be checking on the children at schools, not only to provide basic needs for them and to maintain good relationships with teachers. Lastly, he said to the children that they should focus on what will make somebody in society, especially education. He added by noting the importance of education and how it has transformed so many people.
Ing Trudy Morgan, Trustee at SLWT, explained how the organization was established during the war in 1999 by seven of them. Morgan said the initiative has been primarily for the welfare of children not specifically adults. She said Sierra Leone’s future lies in those children, not them/(adults). So she wished that their future will be bright and solid. Madam Morgan said the funds are not generated from external sources but from the activities they do to raise funds. She added that the items are given with their sweat and hard-earned efforts so they are heartily given. She told the parents to take advantage of the opportunity and not to misuse it. She also consoled them and encouraged them to be consistent, patient and determined to see the children succeed. So she thanked the parents/caregivers for the effort they are making.
Osman Mansaray, a beneficiary, expressed gratitude to their providers, and a parent/caregiver, Rebecca Kanu also thanked Focus 1000, SLWT, Child Fund, and others who have given care and support to their children.
