By: Audrey Raymonda John
Sierra Leone fastest growing foundation the “Big Apple” family has engaged with homeless people across different section of Freetown sharing well prepared meal and engaged them in peace and non violence. Inspired by the need to alleviate the gnawing poverty and hunger on the street of Freetown across cotton tree, PZ, Wilberforce and Lumley, the Big Apple Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has set up a catering outfit for the needy, homeless with the most challenging areas of Freetown to mitigate the menace of hunger related crimes in Freetown.
Speaking on the need of this mission, Joseph Patrick the Executive Director of the foundation said, “we exist as a foundation as an answer to the call of many Sierra Leoneans in poverty and hunger as even many who have jobs are still unable to eat. He continues by saying this is a sacrifice done by patriotic selfless Sierra Leonean across the world, who believe in humanity and have the heart of changing lives. No medication in the world can cure hunger and doing this little help to our people gives us the greatest joy”, Patrick affirms.
It was a huge crowd during the Easter celebration as disable and homeless people across the various joint points filled with well-prepared meal that was dished out on a first come first serve basis.
The coordinator of Big Apple, Sister Martha revealed that the organization is to operate as a full-fledged homeless shelter, “where people who don’t have a home can come in and sleep, get up in the morning and go about their daily activities and return at night to sleep. We are not only looking at feeding people activities but also how we can empower them through vocational training skills, which will serve as a rehabilitation centre.
Whereas, the Spokes Person of the Foundation, Apostle Solomon Kalokoh said many viewed the foundation as a money laundering organization but One Big Apple is far from such description. The Apostle said the ‘Big Apple’ organization is a total sacrificial and committed patriotic human service to the nation and people. We believe only in human changes, he clarifies.
The Chairlady of the disabled and homeless people, Madam Kadiatu Sesay thank the Big Apple for such a patriotic gesture. She said this kind of blessing shows that people in society still consider them as humans. On behalf of her people, she assured the Big Apple that they will work towards non-violence and keep the peace of the land.