Visiting Chief Executive of MTC Group which owns Celtel International, Dr. Saad Al Barrack yesterday donated Le45 million to the Laura Dove Secondary School, Dan St, bringing tears to the eyes of teachers of the disadvantaged school.
The Chief Executive officer of Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) which is one of the largest telecommunications companies operating in the Middle East and Africa told the Principal, staff and pupils of the school that the donation is part of their humble contribution to the development of Sierra Leone which he described as a beautiful country.
He maintained that the future of the country is critical and important to MTC & Celtel, and that is why they are trying to help by donating books under the ‘Build our Nation’ scheme.
The CEO who was performing his last official appointment before leaving, announced that the three other schools Baama Junior Secondary School Eastern Province, Malen Junior Secondary School Pujehun Southern Province and Samu Junior secondary School, Kasseri in the Northern Province, will also benefit from the Build Our Nation scheme by receiving books along with Le45million each or $15,000.
Dr. Al Barrack wished the schools well and prayed for God’s blessings on them, while expressing the desire that he wished they could do more.
The Head Girl of the school Hawanatu Bangura stated that the gift was like a fresh spring in the desert which has given energy to a weary traveler. She confessed that before Celtel came to donate books to them, some of them had never even used a dictionary. She completed her vote of thanks by assuring the visiting MTC /Celtel delegation that they are going to create a Celtel Laura Dove Association.
The tears started when a senior teacher of the School Mrs. Leliah Pratt came up to make a presentation to the distinguished visitor from MTC. The woman who had taught for over 25 years could not hide her emotions as she wept for joy at the lifeline Celtel had thrown to the almost forgotten school.
Earlier the Principal of the school welcomed the visitors and spoke of the school’s determination to forge ahead despite the many obstacles. The Managing Director of Celtel, Ted Sauti-Phiri introduced his visitors to the school.
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