By Hassan I. Conteh

Sierra Leoneans can register to partake in the countrywide marathon event to be organized by Street Child Sierra Leone.

It will be held in Makeni on May 4th this year and on end of October 2025 in Bo city. Africell is a key partner to Street Child Sierra Leone, a London charity-based organization which started in Sierra Leone in 2008.

“We are now in 20 countries in the world. We have got new sponsors and new donors for this event; our sponsors will ensure it is a unique event.”

“I just wanna say a massive, massive thank you,” says Mark who works for Street Child Sierra Leone.

To ensure the event is unique, Street Child has many partners including government agencies the military, police and the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society.

The charity thanked its partners at the Event Press Launch on Friday 4th March 2025 at Africell’s headquarters at Wilberforce, Freetown.

Its partners include: Africell, Marampha Mines, GT Bank, Access Bank, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, Coffee Korea, Capital Food, Grafton Spring, Elephant Water Beds, G4 Security, a private firm.

The Marathon event consists of four categories which include: 5k and 10k, half (21km), and full (26km). Those who may want to participate can do so through making Africell money payments easily.

Afrimoney Director John Konteh explains how the payment process goes like.

“5k costs you Le 40; 10k50 etc and the marchant code is *161*14#.”

He said after entering the Africell code, you then need to enter again the code for Street Child which is 76081 for doing your marathon registration payment for those who wish to run.

Street Child Sierra Leone’s Country Director, Kelfa Kargbo, sees the marathon event as not only a mere event but, he said, “it is about making a change on the life of a child and family.”

And that it makes one’s body to become fit and healthy – “you will never be the same,” he said.

Asked why is the event always organized in Makeni, Mr Kargbo responded: “Makeni is the spiritual home where Street Child’s first project took place.”

“You heard from Mark that we are now in 20 countries ; it is a testimony that good things can start from Sierra Leone,” he added.

Street Child are to build 22 brand new JSS schools across the country in north-west, Bo, Bonthe, and Pujehun.

They are to be completed by June this year and will be handed over to Government of Sierra Leone.

He said their dream is to ensure that every child speaks better English regardless of who they are.

In addition, Street Child aims at constructing 50 primary schools across Sierra Leone every year.

The London charity is also pushing for another project meant to empower slum communities, thus targeting 400 families.

The slum community initiative will be funded by the Germans, Mr Kargbo confirms.

“It is a way to help the struggling families as we aim to put money in their hands and with business they can pay fees for their children.”

Street Child Sierra Leone’s Country Director says they started the charity with only 4 staff but now has 300 workers in Sierra Leone, and it means they have provided jobs to some Sierra Leoneans.

The charity also announced an investment scheme for its growing staff.

Its partners said they are happy over their long-existing relationship shared over the years.

“We are excited and we believe in what you guys are doing,” says Alhaji Mansaray, Africell’s Media Relations representative.

Nancy Turay, Africell’s Events and Sponsorship Manager expressed willingness to attend the marathon event in Makeni whose initiative came up in 2012.

“You will not really want  to miss this event out, I tell you. It can be exciting as always. We support you because we know how it is important to help children and their future is key,” says Nancy.