Rokontha Village, Yoni Mabantha Chiefdom – In a heartwarming ceremony held on Monday, 10th February 2025, the Supreme Islamic Council (SIC) Community Primary School in Rokontha Village officially opened its newly constructed four-classroom building, complete with an office. The project, funded by the Westend Baptist Church in Nova Scotia, Canada, also includes additional facilities such as a hand tap, toilets, a solar light system, and various school supplies, including uniforms, textbooks, exercise books, Bibles, bags, shoes, soccer kits, pencils, erasers, and calculators.
The lead advocate for the school project, Mr. Michael Silliah Kamara, a Sierra Leonean single-leg amputee based in Canada and a member of the Westend Baptist Church, proudly handed over the school to the community. A native of Rokontha Village, Mr. Kamara emphasized the importance of education and encouraged the government of Sierra Leone to support the SIC Primary School with subventions and supplies, as the teachers in the community are not on the government payroll.
In his address, Mr. Kamara called on the school authorities and community stakeholders to take good care of the facilities provided. He expressed his commitment to further support his hometown, with plans to establish a secondary school in the future, to save children from walking long distances to other villages for their education.
Mr. Abdul Kassim Kabia, Head Teacher of SIC Primary School, praised Mr. Kamara’s dedication and support, stating that the school is now the best within the surrounding villages. He acknowledged Mr. Kamara as a remarkable individual who has not forgotten his roots.
Inspector of Schools, Mr. Raymond Abdul Kabia, and the Section Chief also expressed their gratitude to Mr. Kamara and the Westend Baptist Church for their contributions. They called on other Sierra Leoneans abroad to follow Mr. Kamara’s example and support their communities.
The event was attended by guests from neighboring villages, who echoed the sentiment of appreciation and encouraged continued development efforts in Rokontha Village.