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Residents of Royeama Community in Maforki Chiefdom now have access to a newly constructed water well, following a personal donation by Madam Musayeroh Barrie, Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA).
The facility was commissioned on Thursday, 14th May 2026. According to Barrie, the project was funded through her personal Zakat obligation and was not a government-funded initiative.
“For over 30 years, this community lived without access to safe drinking water. Today, seeing hope restored brings me great joy and peace,” Barrie said during the ceremony.
She stated that providing access to basic necessities such as clean water is one way of fulfilling religious obligations. Barrie also urged parents, particularly mothers, to prioritize the education of children and young girls in the community.
The project was implemented through the Bai Bureh Heritage Foundation. Executive Director Unisa Totti Fofanah said the organization works to identify community needs and connect them with philanthropists. He said residents previously walked long distances to fetch water, which affected school attendance and posed safety risks.
Fofanah stated that the well reaches a depth of 21 meters, making it one of the deepest in Port Loko District, according to the district’s senior water well technician. He noted that initial skepticism existed among residents due to previous unfulfilled promises by other individuals and organizations.
Barrie said the project was carried out following a recommendation from Fofanah, and that she chose to attend the commissioning despite a busy official schedule. She encouraged citizens to contribute to community development in their individual capacities.
The new water facility is expected to reduce the time residents spend collecting water, improve sanitation and health conditions, and support school attendance among children in Royeama.
