The name Andrew Jaiah Kaikai is becoming synonymous with giving and helping the needy. At a time when the love of most has grown cold, the humble civil servant is reminding the rest of us, based on his actions on behalf of the disabled community, not to forget those much less fortunate than us, including the physically disabled.
After making regular donations to the disabled across Freetown, but more especially in the CBD where the issue of homelessness and begging by members of the disabled community is rife, Kaikai recently took his advocacy on behalf of the disabled to members of the said community in Kenema.
In advanced or progressive societies the disabled play critical roles in government, business, sports, education. They go on to marry and live good lives.
Skip frame to the condition of the disabled community in Freetown and you will see a different mentality.
Family members of the disabled especially those from poorer backgrounds routinely put their disabled family members on the streets to beg for a living instead of empowering them. While government is trying to change this narrative, people like Andrew Jaiah Kaikai are complementing this effort with his advocacy on behalf of the disabled.
Saddened by their material and physical conditions, Kaikai, started his advocacy years back. Speaking in Kenema where he donated 42 bags of rice, 12 cartons of condiments and tarpaulin. To boost his advocacy, the public employee working at the Immigration Department, said he partnered with Mercy Foundation and has been distributing such supports to the disabled with their generous assistance.
The well known and affable philanthropist said he tailored his advocacy to focus on the months of July to September, which he calls the hardest and most difficult months for anyone, but more so for the disabled and other vulnerable communities.
With the heaviest rains expected during such months Andrew Kaikai’s donation of tarpaulins has been a lifesaver for many disabled families.
The Immigration Department public worker said he and his wife started the advocacy to cater to the needs of the most vulnerable in society, for which the members of the disabled community stole his heart.
To say that Sierra Leoneans are living on dire straits would be an understatement. With eight out of ten homes unable to put food on the table regularly, the problem of lack of access to food has reached critical proportions. Many people in the city and the provinces survive via support they receive via remittances from their friends, family, organisations and even strangers. Well known charitable organisation heads have complained that support for the vulnerable is waning and more people need to come on board to do what Andrew Jaiah Kaikai has been doing across Sierra Leone.
