Educaid - Miriam from Sierra Leone
Mon, Mar 19th 2018 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Weekly Meeting at SCCC
37 Rotarians and partners were joined by the DG
Stewart Cursley and AG Terry Bate to hear Miriam Mason-Sesay (MBE) from Educaid
forcefully present:
Education is the answer. What’s the question? Sierra Leone has had a traumatic and traumatising few decades. She has been involved with this beautiful country since before her first visit in 1997. Since then, we have seen coups, the ending of a dreadful war, Ebola and mudslides, and the country is still the 8th poorest in the World.
She said, Poverty can be eliminated by education, especially women, and Educaid is helping by encouraging children to attend free schools, also their parents to understand the value of sending them regularly. 90% of the staff are past pupils, and remote townships are visited by teachers on motorbikes. Regular meetings of staff and pupil representatives are held to encourage voicing opinions and views which have been suppressed in the past.
She showed classes being held in the open on bare soil, and also a three-storeyed modern school for 600 pupils which has been built in Freetown.
Religious tolerance is promoted. It costs £200 a year per pupil to provide education, and fund-raising is needed, as well as practical help like providing sleeping-bag liners.
Miriam had been introduced by Daphne Morris, a former colleague, who with her husband Bill, were providing accommodation overnight.
After questions, a vote of thanks was given by Richard Austin.
The DG Stewart is to carry on for another year in office, following the death of the DG Elect.
Next week 26th March is Skittles at Blagdon Hill – 6.30 pm for 7 o’clock start. Duty Rotarian Paul Hughes.
Meal Apologies to David Janes for next 3 weeks, and a deputy/stand-in is being sought for June/July when R Austin will be away. Volunteers to contact David.
Education is the answer. What’s the question? Sierra Leone has had a traumatic and traumatising few decades. She has been involved with this beautiful country since before her first visit in 1997. Since then, we have seen coups, the ending of a dreadful war, Ebola and mudslides, and the country is still the 8th poorest in the World.
She said, Poverty can be eliminated by education, especially women, and Educaid is helping by encouraging children to attend free schools, also their parents to understand the value of sending them regularly. 90% of the staff are past pupils, and remote townships are visited by teachers on motorbikes. Regular meetings of staff and pupil representatives are held to encourage voicing opinions and views which have been suppressed in the past.
She showed classes being held in the open on bare soil, and also a three-storeyed modern school for 600 pupils which has been built in Freetown.
Religious tolerance is promoted. It costs £200 a year per pupil to provide education, and fund-raising is needed, as well as practical help like providing sleeping-bag liners.
Miriam had been introduced by Daphne Morris, a former colleague, who with her husband Bill, were providing accommodation overnight.
After questions, a vote of thanks was given by Richard Austin.
Club Business. – The District Quiz at Frome was entered by a 3 man team of Rod Purves, Phil Greenway and Andrew Janes, who were Runners Up.
Moonraker – a Treasurer for the event is required urgently –please contact Jonny Dunk.The DG Stewart is to carry on for another year in office, following the death of the DG Elect.
Next week 26th March is Skittles at Blagdon Hill – 6.30 pm for 7 o’clock start. Duty Rotarian Paul Hughes.
Meal Apologies to David Janes for next 3 weeks, and a deputy/stand-in is being sought for June/July when R Austin will be away. Volunteers to contact David.
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