A total of 225 schoolchildren have benefited from the Choithram Scholarship Fund which was provided by the Choithram International Foundation each year to the less privileged.
This year, the Foundation increased the fund from Le110 million to Le160 million. The Financial Controller of the Choithram Group, Harish Agnani said that Choithram Scholarship Fund is a regular gesture from the Choithram International Foundation set up by the Late Mr T. Choithram Pagarari. He said that the Choithram Scholarship Fund had been in existence since 1967.
Financial Controller said, while handing over a cheque of Le160 million to Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Choithram Scholarship Fund, that every year funds are allocated to assist needy schoolchildren which is in line with the vision of Late Mr T Choithram Pagarari to improve on education and health facilities in Sierra Leone.
He said that Choithram International Foundation also provides funds for the day to day running of the Choithram Memorial Hospital and the procurement of modern medical equipment to upgrade the facilities at the hospital to international standards.
He said this week the hospital will commission its dialysis unit with four dialysis machines. He said an expert from Indian will be in charge of the unit and training local staff on the use of the machines.
He said the will also procure Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine to diagnose and treat medical conditions that can be seen only by use of x-ray or magnetic fields and radio frequencies. An MRI machine produces detailed pictures of internal body structures.
He that apart from this, Choithram International Foundation also supports Home of the Aged.
“All of these are considered part of the Corporate Social Responsibility of the Choithram Group,” Agnani said.
He expressed gratitude to members of the scholarship Committee who have been working relentlessly over the years to ensure that this exercise is a success.
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Choithram Scholarship Fund, E. Palmer said that children whose parents can’t afford their schooling and those who excel in their academic work are the ones considered for the grants.
She urged parents to give time to their children to study, ensure they attend schooling and assist them with their schoolwork.
Parents of beneficiaries recognized members of the Choithram International Foundation and the founder late Mr T. Choithram Pagarari for supporting their children. Scholarships were awarded to primary and secondary school pupils.
By Alusine Sesay