The Mohamed Rahman Swaray’s Foundation was launched over the weekend at the Islamic Secondary School, Kenema, Eastern Region.
Giving the background of the foundation, Fanta Sesay said Mohamed Rahman Swaray who is the Information and Communications Minister has done a lot for them at Islamic Secondary School and also supporting education in Sierra Leone.
Fanta noted that they want to be very grateful to Mr. Swaray so they decided to form a foundation for him.
Fanta Sesay said, they as teachers came together and mobilized resources to ensure their dream come true.
She informed the audience that President Bio has given huge appointments in Kenema, but Mohamed Rahman Swaray always thinks about where he comes from by always associating himself with them.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, the Chairman of Conference of Principals Kenema District, Alhaji Mansaray said Mohamed Rahman Swaray is hardworking and disciplined personality.
Mr. Mansaray said the foundation called Mohamed Rahman Swaray is a good initiative.
He encouraged its members to sustain the Foundation.
President of Kenema Islamic Secondary School Old Students Association (KISSOSA) said Mohamed Rahman Swaray’s contributions to Islamic Secondary School is on unmatched and unparalleled.
He added Mr. Swaray’s doorstep is always open to support education.
Mr. Patrick Lebbie said based on the turn out at the launching of the foundation; he is highly optimistic that the foundation will be sustainable and efficient.
Mrs. Rebecca Swaray, wife of the Minister of Information and Communications said she was surprised by the initiative to have thought of coming together to form a foundation her husband.
Mrs. Swaray told the gathering that as a family, they will support the foundation fully.
In his Keynote address, Mohamed Rahman Swaray who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the foundation confessed he was taken by surprise for what the teachers of his alma mata have done.
He thanked them for bringing up such a brilliant idea.
Mr. Swaray narrated coming from a village in Pujehun moving to Kenema to start JSS 1 at Islamic Secondary School in Kenema, 40 years ago.
He further said things were never rosy with him especially coming from a poor home.
However, he said with his hardwork and humility, he has found himself where he is today.
Mr. Swaray said the Foundation is to support President Julius Maada Bio’s Free Quality Education as his own contribution.
He said the Mohamed Rahman Swaray Foundation is for the entire country stating that it was only launched in Kenema because the idea of setting up the Foundation originated from there.
” I started my formative Secondary School in Kenema and taught there for years,” he revealed.
He said those who knew him identify him with education and he is very personate about education.
He also said the introduction of the Free and Quality Education by President Bio, has reduced burden on parents and there are more children in schools than ever in the history of education.
“President Bio is putting 22% of the GDP to support Education,” he added.
He noted as someone who believes in Human Capital Development, he is assisting in that drive by giving support to Sierra Leonean children irrespective of which part of the country they come from.
He said the opportunity of affording education which he and many of his compatriots didn’t get when they were growing up should be given to children of this generation who are living in Sierra Leone.
Mohamed Rahman Swaray said education has taken him to where he is and he has committed to support education.
He urged pupils in Kenema to make good use of the Free Quality education and any other educational support given to them by people.
A debate competition was organized among various schools in Kenema.
Pledges for the Foundation climaxed the launching ceremony.