The Freetown City Council (FCC), in collaboration with Equipment Controls Company (ECCO), has donated handwashing water treatment filter kits to Kroo Bay Municipal Primary School.

The handover ceremony took place on November 14, 2024, with Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr leading the initiative.

Speaking at the event, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr expressed her excitement about handing over the water treatment filter kits to the headteacher of the newly constructed Kroo Bay Municipal Primary School.

She emphasized that the distribution is part of a larger initiative aimed at enhancing public health and promoting safe drinking water in educational and health institutions across the city.

“The distribution of these kits is being delivered in two phases over a period of six weeks,” Mayor Aki-Sawyerr said. “FCC, in collaboration with ECCO, has successfully distributed 155 of these simple yet life-enhancing water treatment filter kits to 72 Peripheral Health Units (PHUs) and 61 municipal primary schools throughout Freetown.”

The water treatment filter kits are designed to provide clean and safe drinking water, contributing to a healthier environment for primary school pupils and those attending health units.

The initiative aligns with FCC’s broader goals of improving public health infrastructure and ensuring that children have access to the basic necessities for a safe learning environment.

Mayor Aki-Sawyerr expressed her gratitude to Desmond Terry, a Sierra Leonean based in the United States and a key figure at ECCO, for his practical assistance and dedication to supporting Freetown’s communities.

“I extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to Desmond Terry and his team at ECCO for their concern and practical assistance. I look forward to continuing this impactful partnership that is already making a difference in the lives of many.”

The donation of the water treatment filter kits is expected to significantly improve hygiene practices at the Kroo Bay Municipal Primary School and other facilities, helping to reduce the risk of waterborne diseases and ensuring a safer, more supportive environment for students and healthcare recipients alike.