WESOFOD-SL Distributes Teaching and Learning Materials to Five Primary Schools in Pujehun

The Welfare Society for the Disabled Sierra Leone (WESOFOD-SL), with support from Trócaire through the Accelerating and Promoting Education for All (APEAL) Project, has distributed teaching and learning materials to five adopted primary schools in Pujehun Town as part of efforts to strengthen inclusive education for children with disabilities.

The beneficiary schools are UMA Primary School, UBC Primary School, Ansaru Primary School, Every Nation Academy Primary School, and UMC Primary School.

The donation forms part of WESOFOD-SL’s commitment to improving access to quality and inclusive education for children with disabilities. Under the APEAL Project, the organisation adopted the five schools and carried out major accessibility improvements, including the construction of ramps, widening of classroom doorways, and other rehabilitation works to ensure that children with disabilities can easily access school facilities. Teachers from the schools also received training on inclusive education to enhance their capacity to effectively support learners with disabilities.

The donation ceremony attracted representatives from the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), the Pujehun District Council, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the media, school authorities, and community stakeholders.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of WESOFOD-SL, Joseph Alieu Kamara, thanked the management and staff of the beneficiary schools for their collaboration with the organization. He said the donation demonstrates WESOFOD-SL’s continued commitment to promoting inclusive education and improving learning opportunities for children with disabilities. He urged teachers to make effective use of the donated materials to enhance teaching and learning.

The Assistant Deputy Director of the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education in Pujehun District, Thomas Abu, commended WESOFOD-SL for its unwavering support to persons with disabilities. He described the organization as one of the district’s outstanding development partners and encouraged teachers to ensure that pupils fully benefit from the donated materials.

Representing Civil Society Organizations, Abdulai J. Sillah praised WESOFOD-SL for its impactful work across the district. He assured the organization that civil society would continue to monitor the beneficiary schools to ensure that the materials are used for their intended purpose.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Officer of the Pujehun District Council, Ensa Kaikai, expressed the Council’s pride in WESOFOD-SL’s achievements, noting that the organization’s interventions complement the Government’s efforts to improve education and promote inclusive development in the district.

On behalf of the beneficiary schools, the Headmistress of UMA Primary School, Madam Kadiatu Bashiru Sheriff, expressed appreciation to WESOFOD-SL and Trócaire for both the accessibility improvements and the donation of teaching and learning materials. She assured the donors that the schools would make good use of the materials to improve teaching and learning for all pupils.

The distribution of the materials marks another significant milestone in the implementation of the APEAL Project in Pujehun District, reinforcing WESOFOD-SL’s commitment to creating inclusive, accessible, and equitable learning environments where every child, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to succeed.