By Henry T. Kargbo
An International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) based in United States of America (USA) has donated five hundred and fifty bags of clean rice and assorted food items to various communities in Sierra Leone.
Speaking to journalists at Ital Street, Newton in the Western Rural District in the outskirt of Waterloo, the Country Director of Life for Relief and Development, Haja Mariama Fadika said they thought it wise and helpful to share food items including rice, cooking oil, palm oil, tomato, onions, sugar and tea leaf to bring smile among vulnerable and needy people during the holy month of Ramadan whiles the country is also battling with the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
She maintained her organization has been doing such exercises every year and expressed hope to continue serving humanity in all aspects of life.
Madam Fadika recalled that Life for Relief and Development was founded in 1996, adding that it works on various developmental activities including education, health and also distributed seedlings among farmers to boost food sufficiency in the country.
The Country Director pointed out that Newton, Godrich, Lumley, Calaba Town, Waterloo 555, Malbron and Banga Farm communities in Waterloo, Magbafti Village, Amputees at Shell, Fogbo, Masiaka and beyond are the various communities that have benefitted from the gestures and mentioned that family heads, people with disability, the visually impaired, the aged and widows were among the beneficiaries.
She disclosed that the donation is also aimed at reducing challenges posed by the killer COVID-19 in Sierra Leone and the world at large.
In his submission, Chief Imam for Calaba Town Mosque, Sheikh Mohamed Sillah who is also one of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude and thankfulness to the donor partner and sensitized all to wash hands regularly, make use of face mask, practicing social distancing and avoid body contact for the quick eradication of the virus.
The Chief Imam also spoke about the important of prayer and fasting, noting that the five daily prayers is the only way one could communicate with God.
He described COVID-19 as real and encouraged all to stay at home during the stipulated hour and to use the gift for its intended purpose.
Another beneficiary who happened to be a widow, Mammy Yeabu aka Kalagbatie described the donation as not only timely but will also help to reduce hunger stress among them as needy people.
She prayed for God/Allah to continue elevating Life for Relief and Development as one of the few organizations that always thinking about them in their little corners. She therefore called on other organizations to do same to relief the oppressed.
One of the volunteers for Life for Relief and Development, Mr. Mohamed Koroma said their duty is to relief the poor and emphasized on the important to serve humanity.
He concluded by advising citizens and non-Sierra Leoneans in the country to believe in the reality of the existent of COVID-19 so that they would be in position to practice safety measures instituted by health experts in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS).
