The Minister of Social Welfare, Melrose Kaminty, has visited the United Polo Brothers and Sisters Inclusive Training Center at Shell New Road after a recent fire caused serious damage to the facility. She was accompanied by her delegation to assess the destruction and provide immediate support to those affected.

As part of the relief effort, the minister delivered fifteen 50kg bags of rice, donated by partners, to meet urgent food needs. This support forms part of a broader national initiative that has also extended help to communities in Pademba Road and ECOWAS Street.

During the visit, Minister Kaminty emphasized her ministry’s mission to replace street begging with sustainable economic empowerment for persons with disabilities. She stressed the importance of restoring independence and dignity while working to create opportunities for self-reliance.

Commissioner Brima Sheriff from the Commission for Persons with Disabilities also joined the visit. He expressed gratitude for the government’s continued support and assured the center’s members that his office is developing a national work plan aligned with government priorities to address long-standing challenges faced by people with disabilities.

The Interim Chairman of the Center, Saidu Abdulai Sesay, warmly welcomed the delegation and praised the government’s “Talk and Do” approach. He explained that since its establishment in 2002, the Center has been instrumental in training and empowering people with disabilities, offering them alternatives to street begging.

Sesay recalled the fire incident of May 15, 2025, which destroyed workshops, tools, and equipment. Although no lives were lost, the damage severely disrupted the Center’s operations and income-generating activities. He welcomed the food donation but appealed for more sustainable support, including rebuilding the workshops and replacing lost equipment, to ensure members can continue training and remain economically independent.

The Ministry of Social Welfare acknowledged these concerns and confirmed that the visit would help shape its ongoing strategy for disability inclusion and empowerment across Sierra Leone.