By Fatmata Binta Bah
It was a display of resilience and commitment, driven by robust actions to bring about a positive societal change. The Sierra Leone Netherlands Friendship International High School, celebrated third anniversary, on the 20th December, 2024, on their school premises. This remarkable event marked three years of dedicated efforts to providing a diversified high school education in Rokel.
The agenda of the event followed the traditional layout of agendas for meetings and similar events where you have prayers, introduction of the chairman, chairman opening remarks, the principal’s speech, other speeches, etc.
According to the speech of the principal, madam Aisha Kamara, born and raised in Saudi Arabia, studied mechanical engineering in China, in her all-encapsulating speech, it was stated that, the school is appreciated by the community, not least because, it saves the community and parents the hassle to send their children to schools far away. From her speech, she said that, these schools are situated at hill tops – on rough terrains, where access is extremely challenging, costly by an okada, and utterly risky for pupils who have to cross the high way road, which has caused umpteenth fatal road crashes involving school going kids.
In the principal’s speech, audience are reminded that, the school is a private school but because the school aligned it service with the needs of the community, you hardly mistake us for a community school. The principal’s speech highlighted how reasonable the school fee is and how ideal the learning environment is. She talked about the Chinese and French languages the school teaches, and that, could not only earn pupils the opportunity to study Chinese after high school in universities in Sierra Leone that teaches Chinese, but also, could earn a scholarship for advance studies in Chinese universities in China, thus earn them a living by becoming an interpreter, teacher or lecturer. The principal also talked about the school computer lab – powered by high-speed HP computers, which she said was dedicated to exposed pupils to basic Microsoft packages – a breeding beginning to inculcate IT and IT related aptitude in pupils, to become IT gurus, for the competitive job market. This is our best bet, the principal said.
However, the principal talked about the challenges facing the school, among them, irregular payment of school fees. She talked about the need of state-of-the-art text books to furnish the school library. She went on to highlight the need to improve on the school toilet facility and class room space. From her speech, Ms. Aisha Kamara, talked about the vision of the school, which is to go the science way – to become the only functional science school in Western Rural District.
The event was graced by various dignitaries from different sectors across the country including Dutch students from Delft University who were on internship with SEP Investment Services (SL) limited. Among those who made this remarkable event a success was Barrister Frederick D. Amara – the keynote speaker (a UK, USA and Sierra Leone trained lawyer). In his speech, barrister Amara reminded pupils about the importance of setting a smart goal – and he used the SMART acronym to further talk about goals setting and its relevance if pupils are to achieve what they aspired to be in this life. According to Mr. Abubakar Bangura, a Sierra Leonean living in the Netherlands, acknowledged the key note speaker as thus “the key note speaker is a very good speaker”
Then came in another speaker, barrister Sovula T. Sovula, the paramount chief-elect for Bumpe Ngao chiefdom, Bo district, whom others believe to be the highly educated paramount chief-elect in Sierra Leone, and probably beyond. In his speech, he first recognized the presence of the key note speaker, whom he considered an elder brother, and praised him loftily – for his consolatory words back then, which among other things, made him what he is today. Barrister Sovula used his experience to talk to pupils how they should not only go to school but to stay in school, and that, it only takes courage to stay in school. He praised the school management for a diversified educational service including the languages and the hands-on computer lessons, and he particularly praised Mr. Abubakar Bangura, for his dedicated support to promote education and entrepreneurship in Sierra Leone, and for his unflinching believe in the future of Sierra Leone.
Interestingly, the chairman of the programme, police inspector Yomba – a law graduate, who has once been a teacher, wittily use questions and answers and humor combine to thrill and lightens up kids, as well as parents and dignitaries.
The event was climaxed by skits performed by kids using tales in TAMING OF SHERW – a BECE text book, an interesting play by Shakespeare. Followed by announcements: The Director of the school, Ibrahim John Bangura (MRB), announced four scholarships, which he said, three scholarships were provided by Mr. T.N.S. Moody to two girls and one boy – and that all falls within the minimum criteria for the scholarship. MRB praised Mr. Moody for his philanthropic nature and for the scholarship given to deserving kids. Political Moody, as he is fondly called, is an astute politician from the great SLPP party, currently on medical leave in the USA, happened to read the scholarship proposal from the school social media page and saw the need to help as his continuous support to country and humanity, MRB said.
In addition, MRB announced the fourth scholarship, which he said came from Mr. Ibrahim M. Kamara, to a certain girl of the school who has been helpful to his flight as a physically challenged man whilst he was residing in the school premises, without being asked. I’m going to do it for her to motivate other kids to emulate the value to assist others like me who may need help at any given time, Mr. Ibrahim Kamara said.
In the same vein, dignitaries made pledges and donations to the school. Ahmed Fonike Bangura Esq pledged cash to support the needs of the school, and Mr. Emmanuel Gendeh Koroma donated a volley ball to the school, among others.
In the closing curtsies, Director Bangura thanked all and sundry including parents who attended the event, he particularly thanked staff and management for the hard work, and for the efforts behind the refreshment. The also thanked the school band and team for a brilliant display, as well as the DJ for being professional and for playing favourite sound tracks of our kids, which they danced to and fun.
