By Ragan M. Conteh

Some hundreds of solar lights have been donated to the people of Gbonkolenken chiefdom in Tonkolili District by Andrew Conteh.

The lights are sure to improve the soci-economic activities of the people in the chiefdom.

Andrew Conteh is one of the sons of soil of  Gbonkolenken Chiefdom who currently stays in the United States of America.

Apart from the donation of hundreds of solar lights he has made, Mr Conteh has also provided television and other DSTV kits to the people of Patifu Mayawa village, which are villages in the chiefdom.

So far 60 villages in Gonkolenken are now benefiting from this humanitarian aid and the assistance which has helped improved people’s social conditions of living.

The Town Chief of Robathpla, Mr Abdul Sankoh showered praises to Mr. Andrew Conteh; he describes him as a man who is not only a philanthropist but he is also a God fearing son of the soil.

Chief Sankoh said his village has been for donkey years with no kind of support to them given as development of their community.

“Most of our fathers and grandfather including my grandmother had lived and died in the dark. We’ve never thought of such an opportunity to come our way by this time. A blessed son has redeemed us from the darkness we used to have,” the chief said in praise of Mr Conteh.

The solar street lights will not only provide sustainable light for the locals in the impoverished communities but they will offer an economic benefits to people through business.

Ya Mamusu Conteh, a 64 years-old, has told this medium that the lights  have paved a way for a brighter and more prosperous future for their sons and daughters in their communities.

Since other villages in the chiefdom have remained without a free light supply, Andrew Conteh has similarly expressed determination to ensure that those affected communities have access to solar lights next time.

The Vice principal of the Patifu Mayawa Academy Secondary School, John Kamara also highlighted the benefit of the solar lights.

He described the benefactor as a man of the moment who is ready to salvage the perennial lightening problem of the people and the villages around.

He said before now, students are constrained with lightening system to enable them to study at night.

But today,he said, they’ are powered with solar lights which now make it easy for them to read at night hours.

“Before now we had been making frantic efforts to have such opportunities but to no avail. Today our students can no longer struggle for light. Thanks to Andrew Conteh for such a laudable gesture,” he said.

Isatu Koroma expressed similar appreciations to Mr Conteh for the kind gesture as she was full of joy.

Several people who live at the far away communities thanked Andrew Conteh for his unwavering support to the communities he has offered his help to.