By John Kelly Marah
“We are deeply troubled by the recent tragic incident where a young man unfortunately killed his wife. It’s heartbreaking, and it raises serious concerns about the state of our society,” said Maligie Kamara, Project Coordinator of the blood bank initiative. “If we continue to sit back and watch such events unfold without action, it will be difficult for all of us.” This event took place on the 6th August 2025, at the Leone Rock Metal Group headquarters Kamara pointed to the lack of law enforcement and emergency medical response as major contributors to preventable deaths. “Many accidents we witness today result in massive blood loss, yet there’s no effective system in place to provide immediate help. This is why we saw the need to act,” he explained.
The initiative is structured into three critical phases: Emergency Response; Awareness Raising and infrastructure and Development
“We can’t just establish a blood bank without the proper systems. We need to train professionals who can collect, store, and manage blood safely,” Kamara stressed.
Major Milestones So Far Procurement of a medical-grade blood refrigerator
Launch of a chemical bank initiative
Series of blood donation awareness campaigns Official handover of equipment to university authorities Kamara also revealed that last year, the team traveled to Europe to seek external support. Their efforts bore fruit. “The CDF provided 70,000 (currency unspecified), which added to our locally mobilized resources. We’re extremely grateful,” he said.
Still, he acknowledged the persistent challenges:
Poor road access to health centers during the rainy season Low voluntary blood donation culture Unreliable electricity at storage facilities, relying solely on solar power “Without stable electricity, there’s a serious risk of blood contamination. So in this second phase, we’re focusing on public education and acquiring a reliable backup system,” Kamara added.
Concluding with a heartfelt appeal:
“This is not just a project — it’s a lifeline for our community. Every drop counts, every effort matters, and every supporter is a hero. Join us, because together, we can save lives.”
Due Diligence Key to Long-Term Support
According to Bashir Koroma, Public Relations Officer of Leone Rock Metal Group, the company remains committed to backing legitimate and impactful community initiatives — but only after thorough vetting.
“We’re open to identifying institutions for possible sponsorship. However, we rely on our employees and partners to recommend credible organizations — those with the capacity and legal structure to implement projects,” Koroma stated. He cited one case where a staff member encountered an organization while walking around, prompting further investigation.
“We conducted background checks, especially since the HIV unit was partly involved. That gave us extra reason to verify the institution’s credibility.”
Koroma stressed that rigorous vetting is non-negotiable.
“It’s never just about handing out support. We evaluate every proposal and ensure the institution is legitimate before making any commitment,” he said. He further emphasized that Leone Rock prioritizes transparency, accountability, and commitment in all its partnerships.
“We don’t just offer help because someone asks. We want to ensure every resource we give is used effectively.” Eric Boda, Civil Engineer at Leone Rock, also praised the project team for their professionalism and readiness. “We’ve supported many institutions, but it’s rare to find one that comes this prepared — with a clear presentation of their work plans, and vision. That’s a sign we made the right decision,” Boda said. He reiterated the company’s standard procedure for evaluating repeat proposals. “While previous support doesn’t guarantee automatic approval, every new proposal is reviewed on merit. We’ll certainly consider it,” he added. Boda shared his admiration for the project’s
impact in Kamakuri:
“I didn’t know Kamakiwa before. Maybe I saw a photo, but I don’t know the exact location. Hopefully, I’ll get the chance to visit and see the project firsthand.”
However, he encouraged more visual and contextual reporting in future proposals:
“I was expecting to see detailed reports — photos of the hospital, the surrounding village, and the actual conditions. These visuals make your request more compelling.”
He ended with an open invitation:
“If we decide to support you again, maybe I’ll come along for a site visit. That would be great. Thank you.”
