Sierra Leone’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the State of Kuwait, Her Excellency Haja Ishata Thomas has shared her experience on the key development strides of Direct Aid in Sierra Leone.
In Direct Aid’s video documentary series, which catalogued its over two decades activities in Sierra Leone, HE Ishata Thomas recalled the establishment of Direct Aid and its transformation from the African Muslim Agency. She noted that Direct Aid, an international non-government registered humanitarian and development organisation established in Kuwait (1985), has existed in Sierra Leone since 1980s and has become a household name due to its interest and active intervention in humanitarian and development projects.
In more than two decades, she noted that Direct Aid has been a reliable partner to Sierra Leone’s progress, supporting the country during the civil war, Ebola, mudslide and COVID-19 through relief assistance. She added that Direct Aid has provided health care services; educational support, water, social welfare, agricultural assistance, small-scale rural development programmes, vocational training for women, Islamic propagation and general humanitarian relief services in Sierra Leone.
“Direct Aid has helped tremendously in boosting the health sector: they have four fully-equipped and staffed health centres across the country; they provide medical convoys to conduct surgeries on cataract and hernia and give free medical vaccinations to underage children nationwide,” Ambassador Thomas appraised.
Acknowledging their role in education, Ambassador Thomas added that Direct Aid collaborates with the Ministry of Education to provide basic education services through the country, adding further that the institution currently operates four fully-sponsored orphanages in Kenema, Makeni, Lungi and Kossoh Town, which provide food, clothing, medical services, and education for the beneficiaries.
She added: “Direct Aid has also contributed in spreading peace and strengthening in Islam Education through radio discussion programmes, supplies of Islamic materials, training of Imams, outreach programmes in schools, colleges and communities nationwide.”
“Water provision, which is essential to the well-being of all human beings, is what they are popularly known for. Direct Aid has provided access to safe drinking water to various hard-to-reach communities, constructing boreholes and solar-powered water wells. As Sierra Leone’s Representative to the State of Kuwait, I have the full confidence Direct Aid is substantially and extensively planning to initiate more remarkable development activities to address the dire needs of Sierra Leoneans,” Ambassador Ishata Thomas stated.
While concluding, Her Excellency Haja Ishata Thomas, on behalf of His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio and the people of Sierra Leone, expressed her sincere gratitude to Direct Aid for their outstanding humanitarian and development services to the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Cyril Barnes
Information Attaché
Sierra Leone Embassy
The State of Kuwait
Contact: +96599827207
