The small community of New England Ville in western Freetown, Sierra Leone, celebrated the donation of a sustainable solution to a long-standing need for clean and accessible water. On April 3, 2026, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined with local residents at the Bethel Hope Academy Preparatory School in New England Ville to officially hand over a new borehole and water tank to the eager residents there.
Community residents fill containers with clean water after the handover on 3 April 2026.
Access to clean water has been a perennial problem for the community in New England Ville. The local water source, a natural spring, bubbled up between rocks where people would gather and wait in line for hours just to collect water. In 2013, under the direction of LDS humanitarian missionaries, a spring box was constructed to protect the spring from contamination and channel the water into a controlled outlet, making water easier and faster to collect.
Despite its success, the spring box provided a limited volume of water and depended on the natural spring flow, which can vary seasonally. Furthermore, it wasn’t meeting the needs of a growing population or of nearby institutions like the school. School children were often impacted by the lack of clean water for sanitation as well as by missing classes to go fetch water for the family.
To help address those issues, the Church donated a borehole and water storage tank that will mitigate the seasonal flow issues of the spring. The stored water will serve both the school and the surrounding neighborhood, improving daily living conditions and supporting better health and sanitation.
The handover ceremony brought together the Church’s current humanitarian couple, engineers, contractors, the local Imam, site monitors, and many members of the community. Bishop Alfred M. Sesay, bishop of the New England Ward in the Freetown Sierra Leone East Stake, presided over the event.
During the ceremony, when the tank was officially handed over to the local residents, community member Abdul Kamara shared that while promises of assistance had been made in the past, this project stands out because it has been fulfilled with meaningful results. Stakeholder George Bangalie noted that the area has faced years of strain due to water scarcity, making the project especially impactful. Others at the handover ceremony echoed similar sentiments of appreciation.
The community chairlady emphasized that access to water is essential for maintaining proper sanitation, particularly for school facilities such as toilets, while the school’s principal, who also serves as a local pastor, expressed deep gratitude for the project, highlighting its importance—especially for young girls. Previously, many girls were required to fetch water late into the evening, raising safety concerns for families. The new water system will help ensure their safety while allowing them more time to focus on their education.
Encouraging a sense of responsibility, Female Chief Martha Ngegba urged residents to take full ownership of the facility, reminding them of the challenges they endured before its installation. To ensure long-term sustainability, a management team has been established under the supervision of two community members, Mr. Sackey and Mr. Jusa. Representing the youth, student Fatamata Gladhill pledged that students would act as “great stewards” of the resource.
In his comments to those in attendance, Bishop Sesay shared an important principle: “As we hand over this water pump, we do more than present a physical project—we share a symbol of love, service, and the gospel of Jesus Christ in action. Our beloved prophet, Russell M. Nelson, has taught that when we serve others, we are truly serving the Savior. This project reflects that divine principle. Clean water is essential for life, and providing it is an expression of Christlike compassion and care.”
This project reflects the Church’s ongoing commitment to humanitarian service and strengthening communities through practical, life-improving initiatives. Funds for projects such as this come from Church members worldwide who sacrifice and donate tithes and other offerings to support such projects. They are a reflection of the Church’s resolve to follow the Savior’s mandate to “love one another, even as I have loved you.”