By: Problyn J. Alpha
The Raining Season (TRS) ‘the’ Root Project has signed a lease agreement worth ten thousand United States Dollars for the establishment of an orphanage in Kono District with the Tankoro Chiefdom Authorities.
This momentous event took place at the Thomas Saquee Resource Centre in Koakoyima town, Koidu City, Kono District on 9th September 2023.
The program was chaired by Deputy Mayor Sheku Kamara of Koidu New Sembehun City Council, who expressed his delight in presiding over this significant ceremony aimed at discussing issues related to the development of children, whom he referred to as the future leaders of our nation. He urged all attendees to actively participate in programs that have the potential to develop Kono District.
In a statement, Abubakarr Kanu, the Senior Protection Officer from the Ministry of Gender and Children Affairs in Kono District, expressed optimism about the positive impact the orphanage will have on child protection in the district. He praised the Raining Season the Roots Project for their plans to establish the orphanage, emphasizing the importance of such facilities in addressing child trafficking and providing for children without their biological parents.
Augustine Sahr Sheku, Chairman of Kono District Council, also expressed his happiness as being part of this historic event as a development advocate. He welcomed the Raining Season The Roots Project’s intervention, highlighting its importance in building the capacity of both current and future generations of children.
Chairman of the Council of Paramount Chiefs in Kono District, P.C. Emmanuel Tamba T. Foyoh, noted that the chiefs played central role in the development and expressed his support for the orphanage’s establishment, which he believes will address child-related social issues in the district.
Honorable Paramount Chief Paul Gaba Saquee V, a Member of Parliament in Kono District and the host Paramount Chief of the future orphanage, expressed gratitude to the Raining Season The Roots Project and Meya Mining for their commendable program in his Chiefdom and Kono District as a whole. He emphasized the importance of helping the less privileged, in line with biblical principles.
Abioseh Kamara, Co-Founder of the Raining Season The Roots Project, explained the project’s mission to establish a home for orphaned children. He highlighted the project’s history of renting properties to accommodate beneficiaries and expressed gratitude to Meya Mining for connecting them with the Tankoro Chiefdom authorities. Plans include constructing a home for beneficiaries, a church, school, hospital, and recreational facilities.
Other key stakeholders, such as Chief Sahr Borbor Gando, the Tankoro Chiefdom Speaker, and Safea Doe, the town Chief of Koakkoyima, also made meaningful statements during the event.
In her keynote address, Mary Sonsiama Foyoh, the Gender and Child Protection Officer attached to Koidu New Sembehun City Council, thanked everyone for their presence at the ceremony, which she believes will contribute to the development of the district and the upbringing of its future generations. She commended the Raining Season for not only providing shelter and food but also education to the orphaned children, aligning with international child rights standards and the child right Act No 7 of 2007 of Sierra Leone.
She pledged unwavering support from her institution for the successful operation of the Raining Season Root Project in Kono District and encouraged future staff of the proposed orphanage to treat the beneficiaries as their own children.
The ceremony’s high points included the official signing of the Ten Thousand United States Dollars Lease Agreement, as well as the distribution of treated mosquito bed nets and assorted food items to various communities in Koakoyima town, Koidu City, Kono District.
