The Congregation of Josephites of Saint Leonard Murialdo through its Non Governmental Organization (NGO) arm, ENGIM, has supported the Lowcost Community, Kissy in Freetown with WASH facilities and hygiene tools in complementing the efforts of President Julius Maada Bio and his government in the fight against coronavirus in Sierra Leone with funds from its donor partner Manos Unidas, a Spanish organization.
The aforementioned body on Wednesday 20th May, 2020 donated thirty (30) handwashing equipment with soaps, sanitizers, and Hygiene Environmental Tools worth millions of Leones to its host community, Lowcost Community, ward 414, constituency 118, Kissy in Freetown.
Speaking during the commissioning of the equipment and tools, Father Patrick Bukari, who doubles as the coordinator of the Project disclosed that the funds utilized for the donation came directly from Manos Unidas in Spain in a bid for them to contribute in the fight against the COVID-19 virus in Sierra Leone.
He said that the donated equipment and tools which will be installed at strategic locations in Lowcost Community for hygiene promotion geared towards complementing government’s effort in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
“We are residence in Lowcost Community, we believed that whatever thing that affects the people there, it will also affect us and our work as a Catholic Mission. In this vein, charity begins at home which is why we donated these equipment to ensure hygiene promotion in the prevention of the disease” he averred.
He said that these facilities donated belong to the community people and they would take up ownership to enhance behavior change in ensuring hand washing at all times.
He expressed optimism that the community would help to sustain the facility provided in ensuring that hygiene practice continues even after the end of the disease.
He encouraged the people to adhere to the precautionary measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 by regularly washing their hands.
Both Mr. Aaron Koroma, a stakeholder resident in the Lowcost Community and Councilor Hakiratu Caulker, ward 414,Lowcost Community expressed thanks and appreciation to St. Joseph Fathers and the donor for the support which they described as a great step in mitigating the spread of the disease.
In their concluding states, both committed to ensure that the handwashing equipment will be maintained and make sure the WATSAN committee members are fully functional in managing the equipment.
