In a heartfelt tribute to the Day of the African Child, commemorated annually on June 16, Leone Rock Metal Group (LRMG), alongside its subsidiaries; Kingho Mining Company and Kingho Railway and Port, marked the occasion with impactful donations and celebrations aimed at uplifting children across Sierra Leone.
Demonstrating a firm commitment to child welfare, education, and community development, LRMG donated essential learning materials and food condiments to three schools and three orphanages within the Hamilton community and Freetown. The supported institutions included RC Primary School, National Pentecostal Primary School, and Hamilton Pre-School. Children received books, pens, geometry sets, and other critical classroom resources, along with nutritional items including bags of rice, onions and vegetable oil to support school feeding programs.
In a move underscoring its inclusive vision, LRMG also extended support to three vulnerable child-focused institutions: Hosetta Abdallah Memorial Special Needs School, Sierra Leone School for the Blind, and The Raining Season Orphanage. These organizations received food supplies and educational materials, emphasizing LRMG’s commitment to children with special needs and marginalized groups.
Speaking during the donation event, LRMG representative Bashir Koroma emphasized the importance of meaningful action on such a significant day.
“This day is not just a celebration; it’s a reminder of our duty to protect, educate, and uplift the next generation. By supporting these schools and orphanages, we hope to inspire confidence, learning, and hope among these incredible children,” he said.
In Pepel, vibrant celebrations brought together the local community in a commemorative event organized by LRMG’s Community and Security Department. The festivities featured traditional music and dance, educational workshops, and insightful discussions on children’s rights and the legacy of the 1976 Soweto Uprising. Local leaders and school authorities reflected on both the progress achieved and the challenges that remain in securing a brighter future for African children.
Meanwhile, Kingho Mining Company (KMC) sponsored and coordinated an expansive celebration across six chiefdoms in the Tonkolili District: Dansogoia, Kafe, Sambaya, Tane, Simiria, and Kolifa Rowala. Each chiefdom held unique, child-centered activities from a screening of the iconic film Sarafina in Dansogoia to debates, quiz competitions, and talent shows in others. These events created spaces for children to express their dreams, engage critically with history, and showcase their talents.
“KMC didn’t just provide resources they gave our children a platform to be seen, heard, and valued,” said Mr. James Kargbo, a teacher from Dansogoia Chiefdom. “You could see the excitement in their eyes. They felt important.”
Parents, educators, and community leaders all joined in the celebrations, fostering a joyful and reflective atmosphere where children were at the center not as observers but as celebrated participants. From village centers to school halls, the day resonated with the themes of bravery, education, identity, and hope.
This year’s commemoration served not just as a celebration, but as a call to action to continue championing the rights, voices, and potential of African children. Through these generous and well-coordinated efforts, Leone Rock Metal Group and its subsidiaries reaffirmed their ongoing pledge to be allies in building an inclusive and empowered future for Sierra Leone’s youth.
