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Sierra Leone 'king' visits Roughlee to says thanks for charity work
Roughlee had a brush with royalty when the paramount chief of Kailahun stepped foot in the village to say a personal thank you for the charity work being done in his home country of Sierra Leone.
The Barley-based children's charity Kids in Kailahun (KIK) had the honour of welcoming Alhaji Mohammed Kailondo-Banya to Pendle, and he paid tribute to the sponsors who are supporting 150 children in Kailahun - one of the poorest districts in Sierra Leone.
The charity was set up in 2006 in response to the vast amount of former child soldiers and families who are unable to provide for their children, helping them get into education while providing professional training that can be put back into the community.
Mr Kailondo-Banya, who is viewed as a king in the district, said: "KIK has been so kind. They are working in collaboration with the young people in Kailahun who are trying to replace what they have lost in the war and who need support.
"I am very happy and pleased to have KIK in my district. I want to say thank you to the board of trustees and sponsors who are doing wonderful work with my children and I can assure them the money is going to good use."
KIK works with the district council helping to train people in professions who, on graduating, will return to the district and serve the community.
The special tea party was held at Roughlee Village Centre and saw the chief address representatives of KIK, Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson, and Mayor and Mayoress of Pendle Coun. Tony Beckett and Mrs Margaret Beckett, who praised the charity's work.
KIK director Mrs Lorraine Goldsbrough said: "We wanted to say to the Kailahun community that KIK is here to stay and will be our life's work.
"Thank you to our sponsors as without you we couldn't help these children. We started by sponsoring 20 children which has now grown to 150 and there are still lots more waiting."
KIK has recently acquired a "halfway" house on a 10-year lease where the youngsters are able to use it as an education resource centre and a library.
For more information please visit kidsinkailahun.org
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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