By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown, Sierra Leone—In a bid to strengthen bilateral relations and support Sierra Leone’s education sector, the Government of the People’s Republic of China has donated school materials worth $100,000 (over 2.3 billion old leones). The contribution underscores China’s continued commitment to advancing educational development in the country.
The donation, which includes school furniture, blackboards, globes, footballs, solar-powered devices, and firefighting equipment, will benefit 21 educational institutions across eight districts, including Freetown, Bonthe, Kabala, Kono, Falaba, Port Loko, Tonkolili, and Kambia.
At the official handover ceremony held at the Office of the Vice President in Freetown, Chinese Ambassador Wang Qing reaffirmed China’s dedication to enhancing cooperation with Sierra Leone.
“Guided by the consensus of President Xi Jinping and President Julius Maada Bio, China stands ready to further expand and deepen practical cooperation in various fields with Sierra Leone,” Ambassador Wang stated.
Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who received the donation on behalf of the government, expressed gratitude, emphasizing its significance in advancing national education priorities.
“We appreciate China’s long-standing partnership and look forward to seeing Jiangxi play a stronger role in areas such as education, culture, and municipal development,” Dr. Jalloh remarked.
The donation follows the visit of Jiangxi Province’s Vice Governor Sun Hongshan to Sierra Leone in May 2024, which aimed to bolster bilateral collaboration and encourage Chinese investment across key sectors of Sierra Leone’s economy.
China has been a consistent supporter of Sierra Leone’s educational initiatives, and this latest contribution further strengthens ties between the two nations, reinforcing mutual efforts toward educational progress and sustainable development.