In a bid to enhance food security and provide livelihood support to impoverished communities, the Pujehun Youths for Development (PYD) officially commissioned a coldroom in the Yonni community, Kpanga Chiefdom, Pujehun District on 8th January 2024.

The handover ceremony drew significant community stakeholders who expressed their enthusiasm for the project, attended in large numbers, and warmly embraced the initiative.

Chief Mary Kaikai, the town chief of Yonni, welcomed the project management team headed by Edward Mando. She assured all present a peaceful and happy stay for the activity which was full of celebrations.

As the event marked a groundbreaking ceremony, Paramount Chief Ibrahim Jaiah Kaikai of Kpanga Chiefdom expressed his appreciation for the cold room, urging his community to care for it as their own. He pledged strong supervision to ensure the sustainability of the cold room and thanked PYD and the donors for addressing a crucial need in the community.

The District Council Chairman, Foday Kandeh Rogers acknowledged PYD’s consistent engagement in various activities over the years. He described the cold room in Yonni as a godsent for everyone, particularly the women and youths in that part of the district whilst emphasizing the importance of utilizing the facility to benefit the community. Rogers pledged the council’s support to PYD’s development projects, acknowledging PYD as a key contributor to the district’s development.

PYD Board Chairman, Alhaji Mohamed Bashir Jalloh highlighted the organization’s focus on Human Capital Development and supporting infrastructure agriculture for food security. He expressed gratitude to their German donors for their unwavering support to PYD and the broader Sierra Leone community. Emphasizing the organization’s diverse activities in areas such as Peace Building, Wash, Education, and Agriculture.

In his keynote address, the Kindernezt werk Sierra Leone (KNSL) program coordinator Edward Mando, detailed the project’s scope and its operation in eight communities in South and Eastern Sierra Leone. Mando underscored the significance of the cold room in preventing perishable goods from getting spoiled, especially vegetables. He remarked that local farmers must receive the best support.

Mando announced a training package for the management of the cold room and solar components, promising reinforcement of solar batteries for optimal performance. Additionally, he demonstrated his commitment to community support by donating ten office chairs and three thousand new leones (NLe 3000) to Smart Start Academy for Science and Technology, the only secondary school in Yonni.

The ceremony reached its peak with the official opening of the cold room by Paramount Chief Andrew Ibrahim Jaiah Kaikai, marking a milestone for Yonni community’s journey towards improved food security and enhanced livelihoods.