Last Friday was a joyous occasion for children and teachers in Makeni as the Sierra Leone Chinese Friendship Association (SiLCHA) hosted this year’s “Small Small Chinese” party in the city.
The event, supported by the Chinese Embassy, follows last year’s similar celebration in Bo City. SiLCHA’s initiative aims to spread goodwill and foster cultural exchange between Sierra Leone and China.
The party in Makeni featured an abundance of food, drinks, and gifts, all warmly received by children and teachers, who expressed deep gratitude to the organization.
The celebration offered the children an opportunity to showcase their talents through singing, dancing, and other performances. The value of the event, estimated in thousands of Leones, brought smiles and joy to everyone involved.
In a video address, SiLCHA Founder, Madam Mariatu Kargbo, reflected on the association’s founding in 2017 at the University of Makeni (UNIMAK).
She explained that SiLCHA’s mission is to unite Sierra Leoneans and Chinese people whilst fostering lasting friendships and cultural understanding.
“SiLCHA strives to bridge cultural and language barriers between Sierra Leone and China by connecting people from diverse backgrounds. We aim to create meaningful exchanges that benefit both nations,” Madam Mariatu Kargbo stated.
She also encouraged children at the party to learn “Small Small Chinese,” hinting at plans to introduce proper language training programs in the near future.
Madam Kargbo thanked the Chinese Ambassador and his team for their unwavering support and reassured them of SiLCHA’s continued dedication to fostering strong ties.
Representatives from the Chinese Embassy, including Mr. Moses Chin and Mr. Lai Ruzhuo of the Confucius Institute, attended the event.
Mr. Chin emphasized the importance of language learning, noting that acquiring Chinese skills could open new opportunities for the children, just like learning French or Arabic. “Education is the future of any nation, and you are the future of Sierra Leone,” he said, commending the children’s efforts at pronouncing Chinese words and encouraging them to join the Confucius Institute at Fourah Bay College.
Veteran educator Pa Peter Ahmadu Banting, who served in Bombali District for 42 years, spoke about China’s remarkable transformation and compared it to Sierra Leone’s developmental journey. His insights inspired the children to dream big and work hard toward their future.
The children expressed heartfelt gratitude for SiLCHA’s kindness. One child said, “We appreciate this kind gesture from the association. They have put smiles on our faces, and we feel happy and included. We hope this initiative continues for years to come.”
The event concluded with prayers led by the Founder of Santannah International Academy. The prayers called for continued donor support for SiLCHA to sustain its impactful work and provide essential support to children across Sierra Leone.
