As part of their mission to compliment the efforts of government, Help A Needy Child International (HANCI)- Sierra Leone on Tuesday 15th distributed education materials to street children in Makeni city and Freetown.
The education materials worth over 200 million Leones included books, pencils, bags, shoes, uniforms and full year school fees.
HANCI’s mission is to empower vulnerable children to access their basic rights to a safe, secure and healthy development within their families and communities and to build a more caring society.
Addressing beneficiaries and parents at the Makeni City Hall, Mayor Moses Sesay, commended HANCI for their initiative and said that they are proud of HANCI as the only organizations that has included them in their projects.
He said that the distribution was a good signal that HANCI is ready to ensure that street children take their rightful positions in society and unite them with their families. Mayor Sesay noted that HANCI has taken the lead, and called on others to emulate their steps.
The Mayor admonished parents to ensure that their children do not misuse the opportunity extended to them.
To the beneficiaries, he encouraged them to take education as their priority as it is the only way they could be Presidents, Ministers, Lawyers, Journalists, or Doctors among others.
He reiterated that “we as a council are ready to provide a conducive learning atmosphere, teaching materials and scholarships to school children”.
The Provincial Secretary North – Abdul R Dumbuya who chaired the ceremony said that one thing he admires HANCI for was that they provide services that are needed by the community.
He told the parents to use the items for their intended purpose, rather than selling them to buy other things that might not benefit the children.
Dumbuya explained that in their own days when he was attending school, they lacked such facilities. He also urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunities.
Principal of Birch Memorial Secondary School, Shekuba Sesay said that education is the key to national development. He commended HANCI for the gesture and maintained that they are ready to work with them.
HANCI Regional Coordinator John Momodu Kargbo said that HANCI is working in and implementing projects in three 3 regions in Sierra Leone, West, North, and the Southern Province.
In Makeni he said under the street Girls Project, 100 benefited – 70 from formal school and 30 from technical vocational. Under the street children project 170 benefited – 130 from formal school and 40 from technical vocational and under the Integrated Child and Family Support Project (ICFS) 191 benefited. He said that HANCI-SL’s vision is a world where every child has the opportunity to grow up to full potential within the love and security of a family. Kargbo said that his organization target beneficiaries are orphans and the poorest of the poor in rural communities, teen-aged mothers and their babies.
The Regional Coordinator stated that the three projects they are implementing in Makeni includes the Integrated Child and Family Reintegration (ICFRP) project, Teen-age/Girl mothers Project and Street Children’s Project.
The Local Unit Commander (LUC) Philip Wellington said that education is one way of elevating poverty.
HANCI operations Director Emmanuel Kelfa Mallay highlighted some of the successes they have achieved with some of the street children they took care of, who are now in universities while others are now gainfully employed.
He said that there are over 400 beneficiaries under their three projects with a good number whom they have worked with.
The Director said that HANCI is non political and cuts across the country, aimed at rebuilding the future of needy children.He reiterated that the support parents give to their children will encourage them to do more.
However, he announced that on that same day, a project was launched in the United Kingdom to help 150 children in Makeni.
One of the beneficiaries Gbassay Sesay from the Masuba community school said “I feel proud of HANCI for their support”. She added “I will take my school work serious in order for HANCI to continue their support to me”.
Another one, Mariatu Barrie said that her parents abandoned her, but because of HANCI her parents now appreciate her. She said that she has taken the WASSCE and she is now waiting for her results.
By Abibatu Kamara
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