Freetown, 24th August 2020 – Catholic Relief Services has just concluded its quarterly stakeholders’ engagement as part of its McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition “All Pikin for Learn” project in Sierra Leone.
The Food for Education and Child Nutrition project seeks to improve literacy levels and health and dietary practices of 69,731 children of school-going age in Koinadugu and Falaba districts.
Through the program CRS has provided school meals to 51,458 students and teachers, constructed and rehabilitated over 300 school facilities (school blocks, latrines, boreholes and storerooms) in Koinadugu and Falaba Districts; and provided teaching and learning materials for them. As part of a comprehensive intervention that seeks to promote increased knowledge and sustainability, the program trains teachers and administrators, community-based organizations and volunteers. The “All Pikin for Learn” project is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The stakeholders’ engagement meeting was conducted to evaluate progress on program implementation and consult implementing partners to determine ways of strengthening roles and responsibilities in a COVID-19 environment for continued and improved program performance. The meeting informed stakeholders on progress, results, lessons learned and effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on program implementation.
In his opening statement, Mr Bernard Ndi, Chief of Party for the ALL Pikin for Learn project Said:
“Human capital development is at the heart of CRS’s mission and the Food for Education project has been a flagship program of CRS in Sierra Leone. Engaging stakeholders articulates the principles of transparency, responsiveness, participation and knowledge management, and also improves accountability for tracking and reporting on project progress.”
He said that government is poised to reopen schools in October,and CRS as a key partner in the educational sector of Sierra Leone, is keen to provide a safe and secured program implementation environment in adherence to COVID-19 preventive guidelines and improved program performance.
On behalf of the partners, Paramount Chief FodayJalloh of Fudu Kalian chiefdom commended CRS for their relentless effort in supporting the government’s human capital development agenda and investing in development ventures nationwide.
The program was attended by District Officers of Falaba and Koinadugu, representatives from the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Ministry of Agriculture, Caritas Makeni, Districts Teachers, Chiefdom Authorities and the Local Government Chairmen in Kabala and Koinadugu Districts.
26/8/2020. ISSUE NO: 7895