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The Movement for Assistance and Promotion of Rural Communities (MAPCO), supported by the European Union, on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, held a project closure and official handing over ceremony to mark the successful conclusion of its initiative aimed at strengthening Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for better governance and development in Sierra Leone.
The event, which took place in Bumpeh, Pejeh and Mongray Kpaka highlighted the transfer of a Revolving Loan Fund and a community Seed Bank to local community-based organizations (CBOs) and the certification of apprenticeship trainees.
Emmanuel Kondeh Marcathy, MAPCO’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, addressed attendees, describing the day as a significant milestone for the organization.
During his remarks, Macarthy elaborated on the project’s achievements. The initiative began with a revolving loan of 10,000 Leones in the first year, which increased to 12,000 in the second year. He proudly noted that communities such as Bumbeh Pejeh have benefited significantly, now boasting over 76,000 from the loan scheme. “We urge the beneficiary communities to make the best use of these funds,” he appealed.
Chief Abdulai Swaray, Chairman of the Village Development Committee in Bumbeh, expressed deep gratitude to MAPCO for its transformative impact. “Since MAPCO’s intervention, our dependency situation has changed dramatically.
Lamin Ensah Kaikai, the Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Officer who represented the local council, welcomed all attendees. He recognized MAPCO as one of the few organizations making tangible contributions to the district. Kaikai emphasized the council’s commitment to combatting unregistered organizations operating in the district to promote positive change swiftly.
He urged community members to effectively utilize the grants and encouraged other organizations to follow MAPCO’s exemplary model in working towards poverty alleviation and self-sufficiency in local communities.
The ceremony culminated in the official handover of the Revolving Loan Fund to the community and the distribution of certificates to apprenticeship trainees, symbolizing the collective efforts of MAPCO, local leadership, and community members towards achieving sustainable development in Sierra Leone.
