Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Movement for Assistance and Promotion of Rural Communities (MAPCO) on Tuesday 15 April 2025 held a significant project feedback session in Pujehun District, aimed at engaging various stakeholders, including beneficiaries, government officials, and the press.
The event took place at the Pujehun District Council Multi-Purpose Hall in Jah Section and was attended by hundreds of stakeholders, highlighting the project’s impact on the community.
MAPCO, a leading partner in a European Union-funded initiative titled “Strengthen Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) as Inclusive Actors of Good Governance and Development in Sierra Leone,” is responsible for implementing the project on a day-to-day basis. It collaborates closely with Action on Poverty (APT) in the UK and the Muloma Women Development (MUWODA) in Kenema, both of whom are co-applicants on this venture.
Kondeh Marcathy, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for MAPCO, provided an overview of the project. He expressed gratitude to all attendees for taking the time out of their busy schedules to participate.
The initiative involves working with 30 Civil Society Organizations, including 20 Community-Based Organizations, Youth Associations, and women’s rights organizations. The project specifically spreads out to marginalized groups such as people living with disabilities at community, chiefdom, and district levels across eight rural chiefdoms.
These include Barri, Kpaka, Pejeh, and Perri in Pujehun District, alongside Nongowa, Lower Bambara, Kandu Lekpia, and Malegoh in in Kenema District, benefiting approximately 4,000 direct CSO members—70% of whom are women, 60% youth aged 18-35 years, and teenage mothers, with an overall reach of 22,800 individuals and their household members.
Marcathy emphasized the project’s objective of establishing and strengthening civil society networks in these chiefdoms for effective and inclusive policy dialogue and engagement in governance and development processes.
Testimonies shared during the session highlighted the positive impact of the project. Madam Ramatu Massaquoi, Deputy Section Chief of Pejeh West, expressed pride in the self-reliance of local women, stating that they no longer rely on men for their daily sustenance. Beneficiary Amara Kallon from Njawahun Barri echoed these sentiments, sharing how the project has significantly improved their quality of life, enabling them to achieve their goals and live independently.
Local Councilor Hawa Mansaray from Kpaka Chiefdom described MAPCO’s intervention as a “blessing in disguise,” contributing to food security within the community.
Councilor Imurana Kamara from Barri Chiefdom further commended MAPCO as a reliable development partner and urged for continued support from the organization.
Amie Kemokai, Chairperson of the Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues, acknowledged challenges faced by the disabled community in repaying loans but expressed hope for unity and collaboration moving forward. She commended MAPCO staff for their timely guidance throughout the process.
The session concluded with remarks from Joseph T. Gando, Chief Administrator of the Pujehun District Council, who conveyed heartfelt thanks to the European Union for its financial support to MAPCO, lauding their interventions as exemplary.
Gando urged that donor funds be utilized effectively and called upon community members to fulfill their loan obligations to ensure that others can benefit from similar opportunities.
For More News And Analysis About Sierra-Leone Follow Africa-Press
