Mindful of the challenges school going children face in accessing the Radio Teaching program instituted by the Government as an alternative to attending classes, whilst schools are closed, Desert Flower Foundation, as an organization, under the leadership of the President of Desert Flower Africa, Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh, who is also the Executive Director of Caritas Freetown, distributed some radio sets to the most vulnerable children at Allen Town, Freetown Central, Newton and Magburukar, whose parents could not afford to secure radio sets in their homes for their kids to keep up with the program.
Handing over the donation, Rev. Fr. Konteh explained that with the outbreak of the coronavirus across the globe and in the country, several preventive measures were put in place by various Governments, including the closure of schools and Universities. With the declaration of such an action by the Government on the 31st March 2020, when the country recorded its index case, all educational activities were grounded to a halt. Whilst this move was designed to curtail the spread of the virus, it presented a new problem. Children, especially the girl child, were susceptible to abuse by their peers, as well as by older men. Furthermore, many of these kids have to take public exams this year and since the syllabus should be completed against the time for the exams, the Government decided to institute the Radio Teaching program, so as to enable the kids to study and prepare for the coming exams.
Unfortunately, not all the kids have access to radio sets and often frequent the homes of their neighbors, so as not to miss the lessons. This again, poses another problem and exposing many to abuse by unscrupulous men.
It is against this backdrop that Desert Flower Foundation’s contribution has been viewed as timely and lauded by many, including the kids.
Rev. Fr. Konteh maintained that the donation will provide access to the radio teaching program for the beneficiaries.
The Project Coordinator, Michael Bamie Sam disclosed that the radio sets have distinctive functions that are friendly to learning. It can record the program and the kids can be able to refer to the recording in the event that some matters are not understood. It has a light that the kids can use to study at night and do not need batteries, as they may not be able to afford the batteries on a regular basis and this will hamper their learning. He maintained that the gesture is out of their desire to see the children develop in their pursuit of academic excellence.
Receiving the radio sets, the beneficiary kids at Allen Town, Freetown Central, Newton and Magburukar expressed joy and appreciation to Desert Flower through Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh for considering their plight and coming to their rescue. They stressed that with these gadgets, they will be able to concentrate on their studies through the Radio and can even brain storm with their friends on various subject matters, especially as they will be able to record and listen to every single lesson later.
This teaching program instituted by the Government is aimed at providing access to learning for all levels in the schools (primary to secondary levels). It will further equip those taking public exams with the required knowledge to make good grades after the examinations.
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