WE EFFECT CHANGE
The Krio Descendants Union (KDU) Northeast Chapter is a not-for-profit social and cultural organization that is dedicated to conducting activities that are exclusively charitable and educational. We are committed to preserving the culture and heritage of the Krios within our communities and our sister organizations here in the US and in the diaspora.
Since its inception, KDU Northeast has, in its philanthropic endeavors, donated money to the St. Michael and All Angels Church in Waterloo, Sierra Leone for the construction of its vicarage after rebels burnt down the building during the ten-year rebel war; provided scholarship awards for a year to 16 students, contributed toward the shipment of $200,000 worth of equipment, healthcare products and supplies to tackle the Ebola Virus disease outbreak in Sierra Leone, shipped consignments of books, games and toys to the children’s library, provided three primary school libraries with books and other educational materials; and also books and uniforms to several primary schools in Freetown.
KDU Northeast identified the Children’s Library at the Sierra Leone Library Board as a viable project in 2012 and has since organized fundraising activities not only for the Children’s Library but also to support other school libraries in Freetown. In 2019 the Chapter identified the St. George’s Old Folks Home in Grafton as a second project.
CHILDREN’S LIBRARY
The Krio Descendant Union has, over the years, focused on supporting the Children’s Library of the Sierra Leone Library Board, which was set up by an Act of Parliament in 1959. The Sierra Leone Library Board has served the Freetown community for 60 years, and it continues to establish and manage libraries nationwide. It has continued to provide excellent service to the nation with the support of the Government of Sierra Leone National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), Local Councils, and other donors. Although the Board can now boast of having fulfilled its mandate by establishing libraries in all twelve districts of the country, which are in full operation, more needs to be done in establishing libraries in some towns and villages throughout the county. KDU Northeast chapter identified the Children’s Library as a viable project in 2012. Over the years, the Organization has supported the Library by providing books, computers, educational toys, whiteboard and accessories, speak-out learning pads, Pictionary, play rugs, bean bags, musical and teaching equipment, Braille books, activity booklets, and alphabet set for learning Braille. Pre-K, Kindergarten, primary, and secondary school students between the ages of 3 and 18 are the beneficiary of the services offered by the Children’s Library.
KING GEORGE V1 MEMORIAL HOME
King George VI Memorial home has been in existence since after the end of the Second World War when the British handed it over to the Government of Sierra Leone. Unfortunately, the Government of Sierra Leone was no longer able to maintain it. In 1989 it handed the management of the home over to a group of Sierra Leoneans and non-Sierra Leoneans who had formed themselves into a group called the Sierra Leone Society for the Welfare of the Aged. The home was relocated from Kissy Village to Grafton Village in 2012.
KDU-NE has supported the Home starting from 2019 to date. The Organization has donated items such as crutches, walkers, various essential toiletries, hand sanitizers, over the counter medications and funds. We have also undertaken renovation projects such as painting of the interiors and refurbishing the roofs of the buildings.
