Participants at the competitions included Experimental Primary School, Ansarul Primary School, and UMC Primary School. The winner of the spelling bee was Solomon Sama from Experimental Primary School. The drama session had its theme “Leave no Child Behind for Africa’s Development”. This theme according to Christina Sagba, the Executive Director of Salone Connection is part of the organization’s move to create an inclusive platform for the development of every child irrespective of gender, sexual orientation or physical abilities.
Christina added: “this is why in fact, we used Margaret Massaquoi, a child living with disability to be one of our key poem readers’.
Mariama Kanneh, program coordinator of Salone Connection said telling a person he/she cannot do something because of disability is ridiculous. Mariama cited Margret Massaquoi that despite being in her wheelchair, she still goes through her life with determination and strength. She added ‘Courage, sacrifice, commitment, heart and talent, that’s what this wonderful soul is made of and I am really proud of her’.
The competitions ended with certifications and prizes were awarded to various participants through donations. The organization said it will continue to hold such competitions as it contribution to education in Sierra Leone. Tholoma Sumah, the communications person for the organization said the organization is ready to partner with organizations or individuals whose focus is education. Tholoma added ‘we are even ready to work with the government in executing its programs on education’. He said as education is the flagship program of the government it requires a compliment from the citizenry and that is part of their activities.
He also revealed that the Salone Connection Foudation has in the past done donations to various pupils in different schools and donations to disaster victims of August 14th 2017.
