The German Technical Cooperation Food Security and Reconciliation (GTZ/FSR) Programme operating in Mafindo, Gbane Kandor, Soa, Toli and Lei chiefdoms in the Kono district and Dea, Upper Bambara, Kissi Teng, Kissi Kama, Kissi Tongi, Luawa and Penguia chiefdoms in the Kailahun district has donated a large consignment of food items, palm oil and rice worth about one million leones to the blind school in Kenema situated at Rural Training Institute (RTI) compound on the outskirts of Kenema city.
Handing over the items to the beneficiaries at the blind school campus, the project administrator Bockarie B. Idriss says the gesture is a way of showing the blind that they are still cared for by GTZ/FSR.
He explained to his audience that the programme Manager Karlheinz Kyrich thought it fit to donate the food items to the blind persons during this Muslim Holy Month so that they can equally celebrate the Eid-ul-fitri.
They at GTZ/FSR believe that the blind are part of the society and can take part in any celebration and that is why they were in their compound to boost their morale.
Mr. Idriss revealed that this is not the first time GTZ/FSR has extended this gesture to the blind in the region he explained that the physically challenged persons in Kono, Kailahun and Kenema districts have been receiving huge items from GTZ/FSR on various occasions.
He appealed to the Sierra Leone government and other developmental partners to emulate them so that together they can address the needs of the physically challenged persons in the community.
Receiving the items on behalf of the blind the Coordinator of the Vocational Training Centre for the blind Hanafi Sowa expressed satisfaction and thanks to GTZ/FSR for the gesture which he described as a timely intervention. He added that the donation will be used for it’s intended purpose saying it will go a long way to up keep the center. He appealed to the government and other humanitarian organizations to come to their aid.
The Supervisor Sierra Leone Community Based Empowerment Project (SLCBR) for the blind Salami Gbasah also thanked GTZ/FSR for coming to the aid of the visually impaired person at this crucial time adding that GTZ/FSR is not new to the district and hoped that their relationship will continue.
The visiting team was taken on a conducted tour of the center where it was observed that the center lacked mobility, communication, teaching and learning materials.
Two out of the five components for the center have resumed and that is the Braille and craft-work under difficult condition.
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