New Toilets for the PreSchool

As you may remember, last year the Olney Newton Link was proud to support the building of a new PreSchool – a daytime centre for little people of preschool age who had lost their parents or carers during the Ebola outbreak.

We are pleased to hear that the school is now really popular and lots of children have enrolled – both orphans and other youngsters.  However, so far only classroom and office has been built and there is not yet a toilet block – these little people are having to share the adult facilities in the next door Institute.  We are sending over funds so that the work can continue but still need more.  It is important that this is completed as soon as possible as the school term has begun and the weather is dry – please help if you can!

 

You may remember that we recently had a request for help from our friend Brima James Kabia in Newton.  He wanted to set up a dressmakers/tailoring business for young people who had missed out on education.  He asked for manual and electric sewing machines plus a small generator and we were delighted that, with the help of the charity ‘Workaid’, we were able to send them.

 

Brima James Kabia has recently sent us these photos of the tutor testing the machines, and our friend Mariatu, working the pedals.  It has been suggested that they start the enterprise with five pupils, and they are hoping for more.  More electric sewing machine are wanted but it seems that things are progressing well.

Enabling students to study

At the request of the committee in Newton, we have established an annual bursary to allow local people to study. Ten students will benefit from the bursary this year – mostly mature students who have missed out on an education due to the Civil War. We have received some lovely comments from the students, thanking everyone in Olney for helping them to study.

Sponsorship Receivers

Ester Tarawally. My name is Ester Tarawally born of Newton7. Prince Alfred rd. I study Human Resource management. I have received a partial scholarship for my course . Thank you very much. God bless you.

ISHMAEL Kanu. My name is Ishmael Kanu. I am born of Newton.I am a student of Newton College studying accounting and Financial. I have received a scholarship for my studies from Olney Newton Link . Thank you.

Adama Jar. My name is Adama Jar I am a student at Newton College studying banking and finance. I have received a partial scholarship for my final year N.C.T. V. A. exams from Mr Fofana and team . Thank you very much.

Fatmata James. My name is Fatmata James. I am born of Newton. I study Business administration at Newton College. Thank you for the scholarship.

My name is Alimamy Tarawalie, a student of Newton College doing Teachers Certificate. Thank you for the scholarship.

Sarah Mansaray. My name is Sarah Mansaray ,I am a student at Newton College. I study banking and finance. I have got a partial scholarship for my final year examination from you. Thank you very much.

James Sankoh. I am a student at Newton college. I study accounting and finance. I am born of Newton. Have received a scholarship from Mr Fofanah for my final year Diploma Course. God bless you all.

My name is Ernest bai Raymond born in Newton , 148, Old Motor Road. I study Human Resource Management I have received partial scholarship for my course. Thank you. God bless you.

Preschool’s end of term ceremony

We are really pleased to say that all of the hard work has paid off! The Preschool, which we helped to set up in response to the Ebola crisis which killed so many, is now up and running and doing really well.

Set up to look after young orphaned children whilst carers worked, the Preschool has just celebrated it’s first end of term ceremony. We’re told that the children read and sang, prizes were awarded and speeches made. A great success!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The photograpPhotos show (from left to right, rows 1 and 2):
1. Teacher and pupil reading rhymes, with Val King the Chair of the Newton Committee in the background;
2. Prize giving
3. Children reciting rhymes;
4. Mabinty giving welcome address;
5. Speech from Councillor;
6. Pupil reciting a rhyme;
7. Bakkar, secretary of the Newton Committee and Principal of the Institute, giving a vote of thanks;
8. Cross Section of parents and carers.

The Matriculation Ceremony

Yes I know you were all experiencing a milder than usual Christmas this year but in Sierra Leone the temperature was in the upper 30’s . In case you are wondering, no we didn’t tuck in to turkey and all the trimmings followed by an ample portion of Christmas pud!

On 19th December, we drove for 4 hours along a metalled road (believe me that is worth commenting on!), to visit Newton. We had been invited to attend the Matriculation Event – what we would call a Graduation Ceremony – for the first students who had been doing the courses at the Skills Training Centre. This is now known as the Newton Institute and is providing courses in accountancy, business studies, banking, engineering, IT, and sociology. The tutors are from local universities and the students from the local community.

We were greeted like royalty and I hardly have the words powerful enough to describe the gratitude that the people

of Newton have for this facility. People of all ages are now able to study for the qualifications they have been unable to access through restrictions due to the Civil War in the 1990’s, transport problems and more recently the ebola emergency. It was a privilege to be able to join them for the event that day.

The PreSchool

From there, we were quickly and proudly ushered to see the Preschool/Day Care Centre. It was not quite where we thought it was going to be as a land dispute, the scourge of Sierra Leone, had meant it had to be moved from the site originally earmarked. This had meant a loss of some building blocks and precious time, but nevertheless good progress has been made and the walls are approx. 4ft high. Since returning to UK we have been able to send some more funds so building has resumed. We were impressed that, because of the clamour for building land, the foundations and walls are being made strong enough to take a second storey if needed in the future. This facility is URGENTLY needed and we still have to get the roof on and the internal fixtures and fittings put in so please continue to support this important work.

Rachel Lintern