Orange Sierra Leone, the undisputed leader in the telecommunications industry in the country, last Friday 31st March, 2023 performed the turning of the sod for the construction of another ultra-modern Early Childhood Development Education Centre at Sarguehun Town in Pujehun District. The pre-school, which follows similar projects in other areas, will serve as a solid foundation for the kids in the community. Orange SL is key partner in complementing Government’s Early Childhood Development Centres’ initiative to promote quality education.

The mobile company has made commitment to support Government’s flagship programme - the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) in different forms to the tune of US$1.5million.

The four classroom building, when completed, will be well furnished and beautifully designed to meet the admiration of infant children and it is estimated that it would host about 84 pupils ranging from ages 2- 4 years.

In his keynote address, President Brig. (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio commended Orange SL for its bold action in the education sector, adding that the company’s interventions have not been limited to communication, but also in championing the area of quality education and the healthcare sector.

The President stated that the early foundation provided by Orange SL would continue to strengthen the education pillars in the country and called on parents and pupils to make good use of the facility. “As a champion of the United Nations Secretary General’s foundational learning, education is what I am using to showcase our country’s commitment to the world,” the President intimated the audience, a statement that was greeted with a deafening applause.

Chief Executive Officer of Orange SL, AmaduSekou Bah, said in August 2018, Orange SL pledged USD$1.5 Million USD as a package to support the Government’s FQSE Agenda over a 5-year period.

“With support from our implementing partner, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Orange SL made commitment to build Early Learning Development Centres in various parts of the country, as part of its contribution towards supporting the Government’s FQSE initiative,” he disclosed.

The CEO continued that the Orange ECD schools enroll children between ages of 2-4 years, and hold high numbers of pupils within the facilities, adding that the main objective is to build educational learning capacity and lay the foundation of education for future generations.

According to the CEO, Orange SL, through its Foundation, is proud to have built four ECD schools within the last two years, namely: in Kambia, Pujehun, Port Loko and Moyamba representatively, noting that “5th ECD has already been built in Tihun, Bonthe District, and will be commissioned in May this year,”he disclosed, adding that the turning of the sod marked the 6th ECD school for the community of Sarguehun Town.

He continued that Orange’s contributions towards Government’s FQSE initiative is a demonstration that the company is taking its Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) very important and is ambitious to become a reliable partner in development.He promised that through the Orange Foundation, the company would build an Orange Village in either of the three districts: Port Loko, Kenema or Moyamba that would be providing free access to education, clean water supply and better healthcare.

The CEO revealed that in 2022, the CSR contribution amounted to NLe 12 Million, which, he said, they are very much proud of as a positive social impact Orange is making in the communities in which the company operates.