Future Focus Foundation (FFF) Sierra Leone with funds from Charles Hayward Foundation (CHF) through ChildHope UK has ended a one day community consultation/ orientation forum at the Kenema District Council conference hall along Nyandeyama Road in Kenema.
In her statement, the Chairperson for the forum, Madam Satta Monjama Senesie, head of Defense for Children International (DCI) described FFF as a household name in the district though it is a community based organization that focuses on rural communities. She said women in rural communities are facing series of challenges in bringing up their children. She commended FFF for their activities as they are focusing on the women and children in rural communities. She said when women are empowered the better for the family and the community. She called on their male counterpart to continue supporting the women folks in society.
Giving an overview of the new project and FFF activities, the national team leader, Sylvester Sedie Kallon disclosed that FFF as a community based organization is implementing a project titled ‘Improving Self-Sustainability and Developing Income Generation Activities with Families in Rural Communities’ in Nongowa and Niawa chiefdoms in the Kenema District for 2015/2016, and that the key project activities include community consultations/orientations, economic empowerment for 135 rural women through group savings and credit scheme, financial literacy for 18 rural women and skill training in marketable trades for 30 young mothers.
He said FFF focuses on supporting the most vulnerable people, addressing specific needs of each community, in this way, women, children and young people are empowered to discover their full human potentials that enable them contribute meaningfully to their communities in a way that is sustainable and enhance national development. As an organization, they endeavour to maintain Integrity and human dignity, transparency and accountability, collaboration and networking, inclusion and participation at all levels.
He said in the past they have received support from Africare Sierra Leone, “ENCISS”, Jersey Overseas Aid Commission (JOAC) through our UK partner ChildHope UK and OSIWA to implement various projects including a Public Education and Social Mobilization project on Ebola response in six chiefdoms: Nongowa, Small Bo, Lower Bambara & Niawa in Kenema districts; Peje Bongre & Peje West in Kailahun district.
In his keynote address and officially launching the project, the Chairman, Kenema District Council, Dr. Senesie Foday Mansaray said as a council they are not surprised about the activities of FFF in the district, he said since the inception of FFF in the district the council is always abreast with it operations. He said the rural people are disadvantaged as they lacked several privileges. He said the local council mandate is to develop the localities and as a council they need the support and collaboration of partners. He expressed his happiness about FFF as they are doing the job of the council.
Dr. Mansaray assured FFF that the Kenema District Council will provide water facility come 2016 for the primary school built by FFF in Govokpahun in Small Bo chiefdom. He expressed dissatisfaction about some Non-Governmental Organizations that operate in the district without going through the local council.
He called on all and sundry to always go through council to avoid duplication of efforts.
By Saffa B. Moriba
Thursday November 19, 2015
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