Dear readers, this will be a weekly publication about LOAC and its activities. Hope you will learn and enjoy reading it. You are also free and welcome to make comments and suggestions for the growth and development of the organization.
The Love One Another Campaign-SL was launched in December 1998 as a result of a divine vision God gave to Dr. Christian T. H. Bell, a German trained gynecologist, whilst worshipping in a Baptist Church in Leer, Germany.
He got this divine instruction to come back to his native land to remind the people of Sierra Leone about God’s Love for them and their love for each other and for their country.
Despite the affluence he was enjoying in Germany and with his three children who were attending German language classes, getting ready to enter university, Dr. Bell was obedient to the heavenly vision. He arrived back home in October 1998, shared the vision with friends and within three months, the campaign was officially launched at the British Council Hall in Freetown on 16th December 1998.
Immediately after the official launching, there was a major rebel attack all over the nation and this was a real test of the significance of this mission. The role PLAYED BY THIS ORGANISATION really proved to be the most effective and most needed at that moment; this includes mediation, sensitization, reconciliation strategies etc.
Over the years the organization has been engaged in various activities which include;
- Advocacy – Radio and Television, Outreach Programmes, Trainings of Love Ambassadors etc.
- Youth Empowerment and Employment
- Provision of Financial support and school materials to pupils and students (Bo, Kenema, Makeni).
- Technical and Vocational Training for young people in Sierra Leone (Bo, Kenema and Makeni)
- Peace Building and Promotion of Good governance in Sierra Leone
- Child development programmes e.g. Support to Ebola orphans
- Establishing of a formal school in Kono (from nursery to SSS)
- Construction of a bakery in Petifu Walla, Lokomasama
The organization stands on three (3) pillars; they are;
- Prayer
- Advocacy
- Projects
The organisation is registered with the Ministry of Planning and economic Development as a National Non-Governmental Organisation and also with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as a Not– for– profit, Entity. It operates nationwide with grassroots, vulnerable groups, religious leaders etc.
Vision: Sierra Leoneans Love One Another as God Loves you.
Mission Statement:
The mission statement of the Love One Another Campaign is to influence the Sierra Leonean society to inculcate the attitude of love by introducing, disseminating and promoting Godly principles, practices and teachings.
By so doing, Sierra Leoneans everywhere and at all levels are given the opportunity to clearly visualize their identity and Origin. So that God Himself, in whose image man was created, will empower them to love one another and enable them to achieve sustainable PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT.
Aims and Objectives:
- To sensitize Sierra Leoneans to Love One Another and to fear God in order to achieve sustainable peace and prosperity.
- To proclaim the love of God to all Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad by all available means in order to help them direct their energies from destructive practices to constructive and productive acts and activities, thus providing the right foundation for the development for the nation.
- To promote cooperation among Sierra Leoneans, each seeking the others interest towards harnessing their creativity and talents for the benefit of each other and the nation as a whole.
- To provide healthcare facilities, shelter, food and nonfood items, educational materials etc. for children affected by the war directly and indirectly, and for vulnerable groups like women, orphans, depressed and marginalized communities and camps as a demonstration of LOVE.
Love is the missing ingredient in our society.
Sierra Leoneans must Love One Another for a better Sierra Leone
(to be continued).
