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The Minister of Social Welfare, Melrose Kaminty, along with her delegation, visited the United Polo Brothers and Sisters Inclusive Training Center at Shell New Road to assess the damage caused by a recent fire and to provide immediate relief support to the affected facility.
During the visit, the minister presented a donation of fifteen 50kg bags of rice, supplied by donor partners to address urgent food needs. This initiative is part of a broader national relief effort benefiting communities in the Pademba Road and ECOWAS Street areas.
The Minister emphasized her ministry’s mission to replace street begging with sustainable economic empowerment for persons with disabilities, restoring their independence and dignity. She was accompanied by Commissioner Brima Sheriff of the Commission for Persons with Disabilities, who expressed gratitude for the government’s ongoing support. He assured attendees that his office is developing a comprehensive national work plan aligned with government priorities to tackle systemic challenges faced by persons with disabilities across Sierra Leone.
Mr. Saidu Abdulai Sesay, Interim Chairman of the Center, welcomed the delegation and praised the government’s “Talk and Do” approach. He highlighted the Center’s role in empowering its members since its establishment in 2002, which aimed to provide skills training and alternatives to street begging.
Mr. Sesay explained that the fire incident on May 15, 2025, destroyed workshops and tools, severely crippling the Center’s training and income-generating activities. While no casualties were reported, the damage significantly affected operations. He welcomed the food aid but appealed for sustainable support, including the reconstruction of damaged facilities and replacement of lost equipment. Such assistance is crucial to prevent members from returning to street begging and to ensure continued self-reliance and economic empowerment.
The Ministry of Social Welfare acknowledged these appeals and confirmed that insights from the visit would inform its ongoing strategy for disability inclusion and economic empowerment.
