The Southern California United Brothers and Sisters of Sierra Leone (SoCal UBBSL) held its annual scholarship ceremony at the Chapel of Peace Church, Matindi. The event saw twenty-seven students from both university and secondary schools receiving scholarship awards, demonstrating the organization’s continued commitment to supporting education in Sierra Leone.on the 15 February 2025.
Ms. Hawanatu Bockarie, the UBBSL Liaison Officer, expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to host the event and welcomed attendees to the 2025 scholarship award ceremony. She noted that each university student would receive $400, while secondary school students would receive $100. She extended her appreciation to SoCal UBBSL members for their unwavering support, which continues despite the government’s free education policy.
Ms. Bockarie also introduced Mr. Bunting Smith as the new President of SoCal UBBSL and commended the executive team, including the scholarship committee, for their dedication to the recipients. She congratulated the 2023-2024 awardees for their hard work and encouraged the new 2025 beneficiaries to maintain academic excellence, emphasizing that failing exams would result in the withdrawal of scholarships.
A special acknowledgment was made to Mr. Possible, a UBBSL member from California, for his presence at the ceremony, signifying the strong connection between the Sierra Leone community and its diaspora.
Mrs. Alphina AAT Thompson, representing Ms. Bockarie, reiterated the importance of academic diligence. She emphasized that despite free education in Sierra Leone's government schools, the scholarship offered by UBBSL is a privilege that requires hard work to maintain. She urged parents to actively monitor their children’s studies and manage their social media usage to minimize distractions.
Usman Amilu, a scholarship recipient studying Engineering at Fourah Bay College, expressed his gratitude on behalf of his fellow awardees. He highlighted the financial relief the scholarship brings to their families and encouraged his peers to work hard to maintain their scholarships.
Iye Bebsin Kamara, another beneficiary from Milton Margai Technical University, shared her appreciation for the consistent support she has received since primary school to university. She emphasized how the scholarship has helped her throughout her educational journey and praised UBBSL for their generosity and commitment to giving back to their homeland.
Mr. Bunting Smith, the President of SoCal UBBSL, highlighted that the organization has been supporting students in Sierra Leone for fourteen years. He acknowledged the exceptional achievements and potential of this year's applicants, stating that the scholarships reflect the students' hard work, discipline, and commitment to education. He also thanked the families and mentors who have supported the students and encouraged the awardees to continue striving for excellence and positive change within their communities.
Haja Mariama Kamara, a parent of one of the awardees, echoed the call for academic dedication, urging students to honor the sacrifice of their parents by maintaining high academic standards.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from SoCal UBBSL to continue supporting education in Sierra Leone, emphasizing the importance of hard work, perseverance, and community service.
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