By Hassan G.Koroma
The National Coordinator for the Movement for the Emancipation of Vulnerable Sierra Leone (MEV-SL), Mamud Mansaray, has called for collaboration with other local and international non-governmental organizations to work together to make living conditions better for vulnerable people in Kenema and Kailanhu districts respectively.
He made the call at the Kenema City Council Hall during a one-day engagement with NGOs, local councils and other development stakeholders working within Kenema and Kailahun districts.
He said they started operating in Sierra Leone three years ago and that they have already created visibility and had reached many hard-to-reach areas, adding that they were ready to work with other organizations in that part of the country.
He said MEV-SL got its name from a conceptual idea that has been in existence since 2018, borne out of the desire of the executive
He said before now they used to buy and distribute bags of rice to deprived people, but that they decided to use that money to embark on farming which they believe will create more impact, disclosing that the Sarabu ommunity has already given them about 40 acres of land.
He said their vision is to provide a better socio-economic status in deprived communities, so that they enjoy improved living conditions, with meaningful and sustainable development.
He said their mission is to promote initiatives and advance appropriate actions to better the social and economic condition of the disadvantaged and underprivileged in desolate and destitute situations.
The national coordinator said their core values include transparency, accountability, and respect.
He cited that the Executive Director of MEV-SL, Fatmata Komba had once narrated her story as to how she grew up with her mother and siblings in the village, trekking miles on a daily basis without bags, books, uniform and food to eat.
He said it is on that backdrop she decided to help children who are going through similar situation in the country.
He said the Executive Director had further stated that effective education requires access to learning materials, friendly environment, food support, and lots more and that they must come together in their own little ways to make the learning process enticing for the kids no matter where they live.
Deputy Executive of MEV-SLNafieu Garner, said the organization is operating in that part of the country to help the poor and that the conference was to showcase what they have done and plan to do.
In his presentation on an assignment report , the Board Chairman of MEV-SL Richard F. Marah said the assessment was done on WASH, Agriculture and Financial inclusion
He said the purpose and objectives of the study was to shed more light on the above challenges within the WASH, agriculture, and financial inclusion sub-sectors as they relate to the most vulnerable communities within the Kenema and Kailahun districts.
