The Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr on Sunday 7th September 2025 donated learning materials to over two hundred and fifty school going children of R.C Primary and Junior Secondary School at Kagbankona village, Biriwa Chiefdom, Bombali District. The donation of school bags, exercise books, pens, pencils, erasers and chalk was made in the presence of the village Chief, head teachers, parents and pupils of the school.
As the saying goes the nature of a true leader is measured not by his or her words but by actions, keeping in mind that leadership is service to the people. Over twenty years ago Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr as co-founder of Sierra Leone War Trust for Children (SLWT) along with 6 other Sierra Leoneans from London, built the R.C. School in Kagbankona village to help war victims settle back into their village after spending time at the Ross Road camp for internally displaced persons.
Presenting the school learning items on behalf of the Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Cllr Sheku A. Turay explained that Yvonne built the school when she was not thinking of politics, because she believes in serving humanity. SLWT’s support to this extremely remote community extended beyond the school construction to training teachers, building a health centre, digging water wells, investing in an oil palm plantation and providing agricultural training to the community over a seven year period.
Chief Michael Conteh thanked Mayor Aki-Sawyerr and said he remembered when Mayor Aki-Sawyerr first came into their village over 20 years ago to build the school revealing that he was amongst the very first pupils to be enrolled. Chief Michael said the school also serves children from five surrounding villages. He appreciated the Mayor and prayed that God protects her and her family as she continues to help people in some of the most vulnerable communities in Sierra Leone.
Parents and beneficiaries also expressed their thanks and appreciations for this gesture of kindness.
#HopeToReality
©️Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr Communication and Media Team
