Outgoing US ambassador to Sierra Leone, Michael Owen, has undertaken his last two trips to US government sponsored projects in rural Sierra Leone by commissioning projects that will have telling effects on the lives of thousands and for generations. He visited Bombali, Koinadugu, Tonkolili, and Kambia districts in the north of the country to inspect and commission five new projects supported by the Ambassador’s Special Self Help (SSH) programme, according to a release from the embassy. Ambassador Owen attended a ceremony in Kabomboh Village where a school was renamed after him. The school received a $5,590 grant in 2012 for construction material, transportation, skilled labour, and a sign post. The Embassy gave the grant to the Kabombo Descendants’ Association to reconstruct the community primary school after the original structure had been destroyed by storm. Owen commended the “strong resolve” of the community members to lift themselves out of poverty by investing in their children’s education. He also commissioned a health centre at Badala in Koinadugu District, which received $15,678 from his Special Self-help funds. He expressed optimism that the new centre would reduce the constraints the community faced to access basic health facilities because of the poor conditions of the road. The current structure replaces a single room centre that was constructed with contributions from local farmers.
Healso commissioned a drying floor and water well projects in Tonkolili District. In other engagements, Ambassador Owen commissioned the upgraded Mhorikhanu Secondary School (MSS) in Kychom in Kambia District. A Peace Corps Volunteer in partnership with the Kychom community led the project to switch from wooden desks and chairs in classrooms to metal so that the furniture would last longer. While in Kychom, the paramount chief of the area crowned Ambassador Owen “Pa Komrabai Mhorikhanu Michael.” The SSH programme funds small development activities that generate public awareness of U.S. foreign assistance efforts that fall outside the structure of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) projects. It allows the ambassador to respond quickly and directly to requests for assistance with small community projects that have immediate impact. It is structured to encourage communities to be self-reliant and undertake similar activities on their own. © 7 August 201
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