Western Union Foundation, Plan International Donate to Secondary Schools

Western Union Foundation

Following the reopening of schools, two secondary schools in the Western Area are beneficiaries of the Western Union Foundation - comprising four banks, Union Trust Bank, Ecobank, FIBank and Access Bank and Plan International - donation of 400 tables, desks and chairs to teachers and pupils, in a bid to alleviate seating accommodation in the schools.

At a short ceremony held last Friday, 20 September 2013, at the Services Secondary School in Juba, one of the beneficiaries and the Independence Memorial Secondary School, both received items valued at USD18, 000.

General Manager of Charter House, Osman Conteh said that the ECOWAS marketing manager for Western Union, Moroccan born Ali Bassouli, contacted the office to look for implementing partners in Education, and Plan International was selected as they are one of the best implementing partners in Education.

Mr. Conteh said the donation was inspired by a visit to the two schools which convinced them that both schools badly needed school furniture.

The chairman of the Board of Governors of Services Secondary School and Independence Memorial School respectively, commended Western Union Foundation and Plan International for their support to education and promoting children's health and welfare.

One of the chairmen said the provision of furniture in schools is a constant requirement, and congratulated the donors for fulfilling their corporate responsibility. He appealed to other institutions to emulate the good work of the Western Union Foundation and Plan International.

Country Director of Plan International, Augustine Allieu, said the organization was consulted by Charter House a year ago to partner with them, and that they are happy to be part of the project.

He Charter House for their good work, adding that education is important, and that the project is meant to alleviate the problem of seating accommodation in both schools.

A representative of the Western Union foundation from Union Trust Bank said the bank creates awareness, especially in education, citing the 'Back to School' promotion which encourages customers to send and receive monies from friends, relatives and loved ones.

ECOWAS marketing manager for Western Union, Ali Bassouli, handed over the furniture to the Minister of Education, Science and Technology, which was received on their behalf by the Member of Parliament for constituency 112, Hon. ShekubaAmaniSannoh

Hon. ShekubaSannoh, while giving the keynote address on behalf of the Ministry of Education, implored both set of pupils to make good use of the furniture, as part of their responsibility. He commended Western Union and Plan International for the gesture, and appealed to other institutions to make similar donations to schools in need of basic amenities.