By: James Kamara-Manneh
After months of hard work by way of contributing to its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the educational sector, one of the most reputable mobile companies in Sierra Leone Orange (SL) yesterday inaugurated the Beamay Preparatory School at the Wilberforce Military Barracks.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of Orange SL, Sekou Bah said as a company they understand the essence of giving back to their communities of operation, and it is always a pleasure for to provide philanthropic support to local community schools in creating a positive impact on children’s lives and to foster educational sustainability.
The CEO adduced that after receiving the request from the army wives association to support the renovation of the Beamay Preparatory school, they felt compelled to take action in refurbishing the school due to its deplorable state at the time.
He said the then structure was unfit for learning and that good facilities and good infrastructure are important for producing good school outcomes.
Mr Bah revealed that Orange SL refurbished the above school consisting of 7 classrooms with a provision for 280 pupils and better facilities for an effective learning environment to nurture the future leaders.
“If a community is to improve its economic and social well-being, its needs to invest in human capital development by providing a good education to give the children we see here today the foundation to grow and development into productive members of the society,” CEO Bah affirmed.
He reiterated the company’s commitment to support the five big game changers of the government through their various CSR and Foundation project to drive human capital development and youth empowerment to contribute effectively to President Bio’s vision for Sierra Leone.
Whereas the CEO for SONATEL, Sekou Drame said the project is a reflection of Sonatel and Orange’s group commitment towards fostering sustainable development in education to build seeds for the future.
He said their cardinal objectives of his company’s CSR policy is to deploy sustainable development goals at the heart of all affiliates members across Africa and Middle East that will be imbedded in four explicit areas:
i) Well-being of communities in which we operate
ii) Good governance
iii) Growth and economic development through our investments
iv) Preservation of the environment.
“…We are proud that Orange Sierra Leone is giving back to the community in which it operates to ensure wellness of the local community through its educational pillar on CSR to build human capital development”.
Mr Drame recalled that five years ago they were the first Telecoms company to launch a partnership with the Ministry of Basic & Senior Secondary Education to build early child development centers across the Country.
“Through our Orange Foundation we have built five ultramodern Early Learning Development (ECD) schools within the last three years at the following districts: Kambia, Pujehun, Port Loko, Moyamba and Tihun respectively. The 5th ECD School already built in Tihun, Bonthe district will be commissioned in October this year. These early development child centers enroll children between the ages of 2-4 years and hold at least 84 pupils per school. We have also commenced construction of the 6th ECD School for the community of Sarguehun Town”.
He further expressed commitment towards fostering development in education as this is the backbone of any society in the world and recognize the role it plays in development of a country, and commended the government for taking steps to improve education quality.
Before the cutting of tape, the distinguish guest of honor, First Lady Her Excellency Madam Fatima Bio affirmed her commitment to always support Orange SL in throwing their support to the government Big Five agenda which includes Education.
First Lady also commit her unwavering support to the RSLAF and the Military Wives Association that she will do all she could within her power to provide various assistances. She called on all to support early child education as it is the channel for a happy future generation.
The inauguration ceremony was climaxed by the cutting of tape of the newly refurbished school structure by Orange SL. The First Lady and other dignitaries led the session.
