LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Moraga Rotary completes `Peaceful Community Center' in Sierra Leone, Africa


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The "Peaceful Community Center" in Makeni, Sierra Leone, Africa, begun in 2018, has been successfully completed. Moraga Rotary Chairwoman and Past President Dianne Wilson states that the project, once conceived as an orphanage for children of Ebola victims, expanded into a two-building community center complex costing $140,000. This center is managed by Jacob & Tess Conteh, prominent citizens of Makeni and operators of the private International School, which orphans attend. This center will provide the 2000-plus area residents increased learning and vocational opportunities. The opening of the center was attended by the Paramount Chief of the district, a Government Minister, and many NGO leaders.

The newly built Learning Center has programs which will include adult remedial education, science programs for girls, a women's small business project, and a facilities management apprentice program. An existing western-style home is also on the property with a full complement of furniture and furnishings. The home consists of a gathering room, three bathrooms, 11 beds, a kitchen and outdoor screened gazebo. The home will be used to house homeless children and families in transition. The property also has a garden, planted by students and staff, for agricultural science and to provide food for the home.

Moraga Rotary is a 53-year-old service club within Rotary International, one of the four clubs in Lamorinda, and one of about 33,000 Rotary Clubs in about 200 countries. Regular meetings are held at noon on most Tuesdays online via Zoom due to the pandemic. If you are interested in information about Rotary, or would like to donate to their worthy causes, please visit the website at moragarotary.org, or call Brian South, president, at (925) 888-7052.