The Banjul Cluster of SOS Children’s Village Directors has commenced a four day intensive meeting at Mamba Resort Lagoonda Aberdeen to discuss progress and challenges with a view to implement the 2019 strategic plan of the cluster. Participants of the Gambia cluster includes Directors from Sierra Leone, Gambia, Liberia, Caper Verde, Guinea Bissau and Guinea Conakry . According to the Director International Office for West and Central Africa Region SOS International Benoit Piot the objective of the meeting was to discuss progress and challenges in the area of youth empowerment and reintegration of children into the community. He said the focus of SOS in 2019 is for family to take responsibilities by keeping the promise towards the welfare of children. He also called for balance of resources due to inadequate funds available to implement programs. He implored the Directors from the six countries of the need for adaptation to change. The National Director of SOS Sierra Leone Andrew Chikopa said during the meeting Directors will discuss our strategic road map for 2019 activities within the SOS Banjul Cluster. “We are going to share ideas and experiences for best practices of the SOS Banjul cluster,” National Director of SOS Sierra Leone Andrew Chikopa said. Deputy National Director SOS –Sierra Leone Sophie Ndong said “ we are going to discuss within the Banjul Cluster on our strategic plan which will be implemented in 2019. She also spoke about the welfare and psycho social support SOS is providing for Ebola orphans and vulnerable children. “SOS is a transparent and accountable partner with specific focus on sharing best practice to improve on the welfare of our children, “Deputy National Director SOS –Sierra Leone Sophie Ndong “We are going to discuss our challenges and bring out solutions to move SOS forward.” “Deputy National Director SOS –Sierra Leone Sophie Ndong Some of the topics that will be discussed at the meeting include Fund raising, Mothers working condition in the cluster, procurement, crisis management, governance transparency and accountability. Mother Speaker Hawa Kumba Sawaneh stated that the work is very challenging as we hope in 2019 SOS will create more improvement for the welfare children. Daniel Albert Gbow Senior Sccial Services Officer Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children’s Affairs spoke about the remarkable work SOS is doing for the children of Sierra Leone by complementing Government efforts towards the promotion of education and welfare of children.
By Saidu Bah
Monday January 22, 2019.