18/1/2025
Today was a very special day in which the values of “service above self” and “community partnerships” came together in the commissioning of the DEC Primary School in remote Liroh Town, Kalian Chiefdom in Koinadugu District.
The construction of the school was funded by Rotaract Club of Freetown-Sunset after one its members came across an incomplete structure that community stakeholders had started to build. The other members of Rotaract Club agreed to support the community, the DDE ensured that the school was approved and today I had the honor of commissioning the DEC Primary School in the presence of pupils, parents, community stakeholders, Koinadugu District Councilors, Ministry of Education representatives and traditional leaders.
The school was dedicated to the memory of the late Sia Fatu Kamara who worked with me until her untimely death in August last year – Sia was also a committed member of the Rotaract Club of Freetown-Sunset. I was really pleased that Sia’s brother, sister and cousin were able to make the 7 hour drive from Freetown this morning to be at the school commissioning ceremony.
It was a lively, joyous event with lots of singing and dancing. In my brief address I encouraged parents to prioritize education, emphasizing the personal and societal benefits of girls being supported to stay in school.
I am grateful to the members of the Rotaract Club for their determination and commitment to making the lives of others better. When their bus broke down this morning, they completed the last 2 hours of the journey to Liroh Town on okadas. The Roteractor President Elsie Carlton-Hanciles and her team arrived at the school covered in dust and exhausted but happy to see the fruit of their labour already impacting lives!
