July 13, 2015 By Alhaji Mohamed Wusha-Conteh
In a bid to inculcate the habit of reading in pupils, the Life for Relief and Development, an international non-governmental organisation, in collaboration with Brothers Brothers Foundation USA, has distributed modern textbooks worth millions of Leones to academic institutions across the country.
Speaking at a ceremony held at the organisation’s headquarters in Freetown, a representative of the Ministry of Education, Sheikh Aroun Bangura, commended Life for Relief and Development for their effort in ensuring that the items received from donors are fairly distributed to schools across the country. He said he was impressed with the distribution of the books as the beneficiaries cut across institutions across the country.
Sheikh Bangura emphasised that religious tolerance is highly upheld in Sierra Leone and prayed that the country will continue to serve as example to others the world over.
He noted the devastating effect of the deadly Ebola virus on the country’s education system and prayed for the disease to be eradicated. He expressed hope that with the support of partners who are complementing government’s efforts, the education sector will soon regain its past glory.
“Education is the key to national development,” he said and pledged his ministry’s commitment to promoting education in the country at all time.
In her welcome address, the Director of Life for Development, Haja Mariama Fadika, assured all present that her organisation is ready and willing to support the developmental efforts of the country by complementing President Ernest Bai Koroma’s ‘Agenda for Prosperity’.
She gave a brief background of the organisation, which she said has been operating in the country for the past 10 years and contributing to and engaging in several developmental activities aimed at helping the poor and needy in society.
Also speaking, chairperson for the occasion, Sheikh Fomba Abu Bakarr Swarray, commended Life for Relief and Development and Brothers Brothers Foundation USA for once again donating another set of educational materials to schools so as to promote the culture of reading among pupils.
He highlighted several contributions made by the organisation towards the development of the country, and expressed his sincere thanks to the director and local staff of the organisation for the good work.
A representative of the Sierra Leone Library Board, Mrs. Theresa Conteh, thanked the organisation for their contribution towards the Library Board and education generally in the country since its inception.
She assured that the materials received will be distributed to libraries across the country, and called on the recipients to make good use of the books for the benefit of the pupils.