On June 23, 2020, board members of Impact Sierra Leone (ISL), Alfred Turay and Dr. Mohamed Yamba Bangura visited Yonibana to empower the farming community located in Rochen Kamandao and the Yonibana Secondary School (YSS). The trip was a great success and allowed our organization a chance to explore potential projects that would reduce poverty and improve the development of the Yonibana community. The ISL team first visited with YSS leadership, Senior Secondary School Principal Mr. Henry Kamara and Junior Secondary School Principal, Coach Alpha Sesay. We presented both principals with an ISL t-shirt and cap as a goodwill gesture and to commend their efforts towards the development of YSS. Our team also held a brief meeting with the principals to identify their current concerns and highlight ways in which ISL could collaborate with them for future projects at YSS. The school needs numerous repairs to ensure a quality education in a nurturing environment is provided for students & staff. ISL looks forward to partnering with them on future projects which will empower the entire school and surrounding community. Our efforts will help further promote the school motto which is “Only The Best Is Good Enough For Us”. Our team met with the Rochen Kamandao Farmers Association which include roughly 58 farmers, 30 female and 28 male. ISL was presented a list of the executive members of the association. Farming is a major way of life for families in the villages. A lack of tools and resources prevents them from yielding much needed profit for them to make a decent living. Meeting with the farmers was essential for ISL to get an idea of their challenges on the ground. Issues such as lack of seeds, lack of chemicals for pests/disease control, lack of money and lack of proper farming tools. ! Additionally, our team met with the female farmers to help identify their specific concerns. We hope to promote female empowerment and ensure their voices are heard. During the visit, ISL was able to visit a proposed site for future farming projects. ISL members also met with farmers from the Kampala Farmers association and a representative of Youth for Human Rights, Mr. Alberta H. Tarawallie. Our board member, Dr.Mohamed Yamba Bangura was the chairman for the meeting. This meeting discussed collaborations between ISL and the Kampala Farmers Association. The meeting was effective in determining the action steps for ISL in Rochen Kamandao. Our aim is to establish three farms with one farm providing their fruits and vegetables to Save TheYoung GirlsFoundation Orphanage. This collaboration will empower both the farmers and the orphan girls by promoting agriculture and wellness/nutrition. Our efforts will achieve several of the UN Sustainability Development Goals to include: No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well Being, Quality Education, Gender Equality and Sustainability Cities and Communities. Stay tuned for more exciting updates!
