The distribution of the items commenced with about 150 beneficiaries in two slum communities of Crab town and New Life City, Lumley each receiving 25kg bag of rice, one gallon of cooking oil, half a dozen bathing soap, face masks, and a packet of sanitary pads.
The support is part of the ‘Liking Needs Fund Project’ that is being implemented by the organisation which is aimed at Covid-19 affected SOS beneficiaries and children in slum communities to assist them in mitigating the risk of contracting the virus and providing coping mechanisms to survive the crisis.
According to officials, SOS Children’s Villages Sierra Leone will give One-off cash transfer support to 1,500 vulnerable and affected families in three areas namely Bo, Freetown, and Makeni to ensure resilience. This support is expected to help families survive the loss of jobs and build resilience to future shocks.
In addition, the projects will also support 25 young people with innovative ideas with a capital of Le 25,000,000 (twenty-five million Leone) per idea. An additional 120 (one hundred and twenty) young people will also benefit from vocational skills training.
The Project Manager, Christopher Teh said the items distributed were for families of the most vulnerable children in the communities. “We are aware that almost everyone in this community is in need. The support is for families of the most vulnerable children,” he said. He called on the communities to understand that not all of them would benefit.
“We have the skills training and the innovative business ideas components for the young people. We will come back to these communities to conduct an assessment that will determine beneficiaries”, he said, adding that beneficiaries of the food and non-food items might not necessarily benefit from the other components.
In his statement, Daniel Gbaw, from the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, thanked SOS for complementing the government’s effort in supporting vulnerable families. “SOS is a partner to the government and as a community; you have to know that their presence represents government. We are here to monitor them and ensure that you as a community benefit from the support,” he said. He admonished the beneficiaries to utilise the support appropriately.
One of the beneficiaries, Ramatu Kamara from Crab Town community, Lumley appreciated SOS Children’s Villages for the support. “I am thrilled that my family will not struggle to buy a bag of rice for the next thirty days.”
The physically challenged mother of three called on the charity organisation to continue the support. “My husband and I are both physically challenged people, with our condition, it is difficult to take care of our family,” she said.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online
