Mohamed Abdrahman Sesay, Production Officer at Lettie Stuart Pottery in Campbell Town, Waterloo has said on Monday, September 21, 2020, that, the outbreak of the Coronavirus in Sierra Leone has slowed the sale of their products and led some of the staff jobless.
Sesay said that the institution employs people from different backgrounds, and those who are willing to learn creativity. He added that in the past, the institution has groomed many sierra Leoneans youths who are now self-reliant. He added that they produce different earthen wares such as spoon, pot, necklace and many more.
Sesay noted that since the outbreak of the Coronavirus, the volume of their sales has dropped, and this has put a strain on how they sustain and take care of their families.
“But since the virus broke out in Sierra Leone, majority of our customers that used to buy from us are no more coming to buy from us. They told us that, their customers were also not coming to buy from them. Now we can produce but no one is coming to buy our products, and that has led to loss.”
He added, “The virus really affects us here, because, through the sale of our products we can be able to earn our livings and sustain our families, but since the outbreak everything has been hard on us.”
He maintained that the institution has been in existence for a very long time with the help Aurora Foundation, a non-governmental organization which aims at promoting skills and youth empowerment.
Sesay explained, “Aurora Foundation came to our aid with the aim of imparting knowledge in the youths.” He furthered that the Lettie Stuart Pottery is the only institution in the country that produces items with clay.
Sesay called on the government and NGOs to support the institution.
By Ibrahim S. Bangura
29/09/2020. ISSUE NO: 7919