Ambassador Ishata Thomas Distributes Independence Packages to Sierra Leoneans in Kuwait

27th April 2022
SL Embassy, South-Surra, Al-Zarrah, Kuwait

Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the State of Kuwait, Her Excellency Haja Ishata Thomas, has distributed Independence and Iftar food packages to unemployed Sierra Leoneans residing in various communities in Kuwait on the occasion marking the country’s 61st Independence Day.

The distribution exercise targeted Sierra Leoneans residing in four key communities, including Hasawi, Jleeb, Salmiya and Mahboula.

Speaking during the brief ceremony, the Minister Counsellor and Head of Chancery, Momodu Wurie, noted that since the arrival of Her Excellency the Ambassador a lot of significant progress has been made, ranging from pursuing development activities for Sierra Leone, intervening in disputes and employment issues involving Sierra Leoneans to providing food supplies to those who were laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minister Counsellor also acknowledged that even in Her Excellency’s absence, she encouraged the Embassy to distribute foodstuff to its nationals during last year’s Diamond Jubilee, which he described as a commitment to her nationals in Kuwait.

In her remarks, Her Excellency Haja Ishata Thomas welcomed representatives of the various communities and used the occasion to congratulate His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio and the people of Sierra Leone, especially those living in the State of Kuwait, on the 61st Independence Anniversary, extending appreciation to God Almighty for the major development strides the country has achieved, despite the challenges experienced over the years.

She expressed elation at the level of comportment displayed by Sierra Leoneans in Kuwait, particularly in the recent union election, which she observed was not the case when she first arrived in 2018. She encouraged them to work in the interest of Sierra Leone while abiding by the laws of Kuwait, stressing that every Sierra Leonean residing in the State of Kuwait was an ambassador in his or her own right.

Handing over the items to the President-Elect of the Sierra Leone Union in Kuwait, she informed the representatives that this year’s Independence Day coincided with the Holy Month of Ramadan; therefore, Muslims should use their supply for Iftar. Ambassador Haja Ishata Thomas further admonished the president and community coordinators to target those in dire need.

Receiving the items on behalf of the community, the President-Elect of the Sierra Leone Union in Kuwait, Brima Kebbie Kamara, extended heartfelt appreciation to Her Excellency the Ambassador and the entire staff of the Embassy for the timely intervention. He also applauded the effort of Her Excellency to address the numerous challenges that were encountered by Sierra Leoneans and prayed for continued unity and progress amongst community members. He promised to distribute the foodstuff to the needy Sierra Leoneans.

Concluding the ceremony, Ambassador Ishata Thomas, together with the staff of the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Kuwait and the Representative of the Union, cut the cake donated by Safir Fintas Hotel as a special gift to commemorate the 61st Independence Anniversary.

Amongst the items distributed were bags of rice and milk, gallons of oil, packets of sugar, crates of juice, cartoons of sardines and tomatoes, and other assorted provisions.

Cyril Barnes,
Information Attaché,
Sierra Leone Embassy, State of Kuwait.
Email: information.attache@kw.slembassy.gov.sl