The Rotary Foundation through the Swiss Sierra Leone Development Foundation and the Lion Heart Foundation, based in the Netherlands, has provided funds for the construction of a modern hospital at Magbentay and a palm oil refinery project at Yele.
The disclosure was made over the weekend at the Bank Complex at Kingtom during a meeting of the Freetown Rotary Club District 9100 and delegates of the Rotary Foundation from Switzerland and Netherlands who arrived in the country to monitor the project implementation.
According to Candid Payer, head of the visiting delegation, the SSLDF were funded with an initial amount of $20,000 in 2006, and a further $21000 in 2007 for different purposes, which culminated in a marching grant of another $30,000 this year.
He added that they were in the country to assess progress and challenges in the implementation of the two projects in Makeni and Yele to enable them apply for another grant of donation of $45,000, which will increase the amount to $125,000 for a period of 18 months.
He noted that the Magbentay Hospital in Makeni was funded and constructed by the SSLDF while the Lion Heart Foundation was providing all medical equipment for the smooth running of the hospital. The facility has over 100 beds and offers free treatment to the under five’s and provides free food for malnourished children and lactating mothers.
Mr Payer also intimated that the palm oil refinery project at Yele would boost the agricultural sector “which is the major source of income for inhabitants of that area who mostly live in abject poverty”.
He said income generated from the oil palm refinery project would be used to support the hospital at Magbentay for its sustainability in the near future, and that survey had already been conducted for the participation of 3000 farmers.
These farmers, he said, had expressed willingness and commitment towards the agriculture project because they would also use modern techniques and application with minor repairs of machines done by farmers themselves to increase productivity and earning capacity.
The visiting delegation of Rotarians expressed thanks and appreciation to the Freetown Club for their active participation in the project for its implementation and empowering the grass root people in a healthier environment.
By Saidu Bah
ADVERTISEMENT