Madam Musayeroh Barrie, Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), recently donated a water well to the Royeama Community in Maforki Chiefdom, Port Loko District, addressing a three-decade lack of access to safe drinking water. The initiative, funded through her personal Zakat obligation, marks a significant improvement for residents who have long struggled with water scarcity. "For over 30 years, this community lived without access to safe drinking water," Barrie stated, emphasizing the profound impact of the new facility. She added that "seeing hope restored brings me great joy and peace," reflecting on the successful completion of the project. This philanthropic gesture directly tackles a critical need in the community, providing a sustainable source of potable water.
Barrie clarified that the donation was not from the government but stemmed from her individual religious duty, a point she showed during her address. "When I made this donation, I must say this is not a Government donation; it is my personal Zakat," she explained, noting the Islamic command to give Zakat annually. She further elaborated on the principle behind her action, stating, "One of the best ways to do that is to help people who are in need of basic things. Water is life, as we all know and it is really important for everyone to have access to safe drinking water." Her personal commitment to this religious obligation led to the funding of this vital infrastructure, providing a clear example of how individual philanthropy can address pressing community needs. The initiative shows the importance of access to safe water as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of community health and development.
Community's Long Struggle
For over 30 years, the Royeama Community experienced a critical shortage of safe drinking water, a challenge that profoundly impacted every aspect of daily life. Residents had lived without reliable access to this essential resource, facing significant daily challenges to meet their basic water needs. This prolonged crisis deeply impacted the community's well-being and daily routines, forcing many to resort to unsafe or distant water sources. The absence of a readily available, clean water supply contributed to various health issues and placed an immense burden on households.
Before the recent intervention, the lack of nearby water sources forced residents, particularly children, to undertake arduous journeys. These individuals regularly walked long distances from their homes to fetch water, a task that consumed considerable time and effort. The daily treks for water often meant that children missed school or had reduced opportunities for education and play, further exacerbating the community's hardships and hindering their development. The responsibility of water collection frequently fell to women and children, diverting them from other productive activities and educational pursuits. The new water well aims to alleviate these long-standing difficulties and significantly improve the quality of life for Royeama's inhabitants by providing a convenient and safe water source. This intervention is expected to free up valuable time for education and economic activities, fostering greater community resilience and progress.
The Well's Specifications
The newly constructed water well in the Royeama Community reaches an impressive depth of 21 meters. This considerable depth has led to the well being described as one of the deepest within the Port Loko District, ensuring a reliable and consistent supply of water even during dry seasons. The project was facilitated through the dedicated efforts of the Bai Bureh Heritage Foundation, which played a key role in bringing this essential water source to the community. Mr. Unisa Totti Fofanah serves as the Executive Director of the Bai Bureh Heritage Foundation, playing a key role in its implementation and overseeing the successful execution of the project. The well's specifications aim to provide a reliable and long-term solution for the community's water needs, directly addressing the historical challenges of access to safe drinking water that the residents have faced for decades. The strong construction and significant depth are intended to ensure the longevity and sustainability of the water supply for the Royeama Community.
Personal Philanthropy Noted
The water well donation by Madam Musayeroh Barrie was made specifically to the Royeama Community, situated within the Maforki Chiefdom of the Port Loko District. This specific location in Sierra Leone has been identified as the beneficiary of the initiative, which aims to address a long-standing issue of water scarcity that has plagued residents for over 30 years. The Royeama Community, like many rural areas in the Port Loko District, has historically faced significant challenges in accessing safe and reliable drinking water sources, making this intervention particularly impactful. The project was implemented to directly serve the residents of this particular community, providing them with a new and essential infrastructure that will transform their daily lives. The Bai Bureh Heritage Foundation facilitated the construction and implementation of the well, ensuring its establishment in the designated area and adherence to quality standards. The selection of the Royeama Community for this philanthropic endeavor shows the targeted nature of the support, focusing on a specific population with acute water needs and demonstrating a commitment to direct community improvement. This act of personal philanthropy by Madam Barrie exemplifies a profound dedication to social responsibility and community welfare.
Director General's Vision
The commissioning ceremony for the water well occurred on Thursday, May 14, 2026, marking a new chapter for the Royeama Community. The event was attended by community leaders, residents, and representatives from the facilitating organizations, all celebrating the culmination of this vital project. The new water well is anticipated to significantly ease the burden on residents of the Royeama Community by drastically reducing the time and effort previously spent fetching water from distant and often unsafe sources. Beyond convenience, the project is also expected to improve overall sanitation and health conditions within the community, as access to clean water is fundamental to preventing waterborne diseases. The availability of a local, safe water source is projected to support increased school attendance among children, who previously often missed classes due to the long and arduous journeys required to collect water for their families. These benefits aim to address long-standing challenges faced by the community regarding access to essential resources and education, fostering a healthier and more educated population. The initiative reflects Madam Barrie's vision for sustainable community development and improved quality of life.