As part of their effort to reduce the high illetracy rate in Sierra Leone and compliment Government effort in the education sector, a Non-Governmental Organization Munafa-M’patie Federation with funds from Child Fund International has constructed twenty (20),  Primary and Secondary Schools in the last couple of years in Bombali district.

This development has paved the way for over five thousand (5,000), pupils access to education which was lacking five years ago.

The Federation which was established in December 2006,  started as a Community Based Organization in Bombali and Karene Districts. It is funded by Child Fund International and operating in four Chiefdoms each in Bombali and Karene Districts.

The Federation operates on three life stages including health and secured infants,, educated and confident children and skilled and involved youths which are further categorized into eight broad interventions, namely, child protection and advocacy, early childhood care and development, education, sexual reproductive health and rights, girl circle, agriculture, youths and livelihoods, health, water and sanitation and community sponsor relations management.

Speaking to a cross section of journalists at the project site in Binkolo Town  over the weekend the Program Manager, Musa Sanu-Konteh said the Federation has also rehabilitated over five Primary and Secondary Schools across the program areas in Bombali District.

“We have also constructed resource centre to support children’s learning in Paki Masabong and Biriwa Chiefdoms. We have also constructed and rehabilitated over one hundred (100), hand pump wells in schools and communities with no water facility with over twenty five thousand (25,000), inhabitants now accessing safe and clean water,” Mr. Konteh said. The Organization he said has also constructed solarized bore hole water facility at the Patti Bell Secondary School at Kamasrkie, in addition to supporting the construction of two Bio Sand water systems in Tonkolili  and Bombali district.

To ensure effective learning in schools, the Federation has also supported the training of over two hundred (200), untrained and unqualified community school teachers across their operational communities in Bombali district.

Mr. Konteh stressed that they are supporting the government’s national development plans and provide effective, timely and flexible input of relevant resources, management and skills. He assured the people that his Organization will continue to work in their interest and advocate for additional development to reach them. He disclosed that his Institution is working with over six thousand one hundred children rolled into the Child Fund sponsorship programme in Bombali district. He said they are also working with three thousand out of school adolescent girls in Karene district. He said they want to see the children as healthy and secured through their sponsorship programme they are implementing.