In a bid to complement Government efforts in addressing the needs of Ebola affected people in the country, a local NGO, Accountability Alert with funds from CAFOD has launched a project titled ‘Rendering Educational and Vocational Assistance to Ebola orphans and Youths within Western Area Rural’ at the council hall in Waterloo.
Launching the project the Board Chairman of Accountability Alert Rev. Ambrose K. Bunduka said education is bedrock for the development of any nation and the project aims at facilitating access to education for ebola orphans and youths.
The Board Chairman said the project will help to assist youth to be empowered through vocational training in soap making, tailoring, and carpentry amongst others.
He also said that the project will help to improve access to education for children orphaned by the Ebola Virus in Western Area Rural so that they can start to go to school in their respective communities.
The Executive Director of Accountability, Alert Alex Kandeh Thomas said the project will ensure that the 150 beneficiaries receive their packages with the involvement of local stakeholders, the Ministry of Social Welfare for transparency and accountability.
He said 100 primary school children will be provided with uniforms, shoes, learning materials and also pay for school charges for a period of one year.
He encouraged beneficiaries to embrace the project for the education of their kids and youths so that they can contribute towards the development of their respective communities.
Steven Lahai, the Project Officer for Accountability Alert said the project will address some of the challenges faced by people that are severely affected by the Ebola virus in Sierra Leone.
A representative of the National Youth Commission, who also doubles as the Director for the Obsanjo Skills Acquisition Centre at Waterloo, Alhaji S. Fofanah encouraged the youth to take advantage of the project to rebuild their lives, noting that vocational training can make them self reliant. He said vocational skills can also lead to prosperity and encouraged the beneficiaries to make good use of the project.
A representative from CAFOD, Aminata Sheriff assured that the project will help parents who cannot afford to send their kids to school to access primary education and the youth to benefit from vocational training.
The launching of the project was chaired by the Director of Accountability, Alert Victor Lansana Koroma. Complementary statements were delivered by representatives of the Children’s Commission, Social Welfare Ministry and other stakeholders.
A donation of ten bundles of used clothing was made by a member of the Children’s Commission, Lawyer Abubakarr Turay which formed the high point of the launching ceremony.
By Saidu Bah
Tuesday February 09, 2016
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