Dorothy Springer Trust Sierra Leone on COVID-19 response campaign

Freetown | 16th May 2020 | Vertex Media

The Freetown based disable organisation Dorothy Springer Trust (DST) has updated the media on a plethora of activities geared towards improving the lives of people with disabilities, especially during this Coronavirus epidemic. During the briefing, the CEO of DST, Dr. Abdulai Dumbuya explained a number activities and projects the organisation has implemented to improve the lives of people with disabilities. They include the training of disabled persons in various fields, hence making them self employed. He also mentioned that DST also pioneered the recruitment of persons with disabilities into the Police force. DST also work in partnership with the Freetown Cheshire Home in providing face masks and other items.

On the recent COVID-19 campaign, Dr. Dumbuya said they are embarking on personalizing the COVID-19 messages by developing a very good signature done by DST students and staff. The messages contained in the song are well customized for proper education of the various categories of persons with disabilities. The DST COVID-19 Response Song features Osman Richboy Kamara (a trainer), Ishmael Gborie, Mundane Kamara and Dr. Abdulai Dumbuya (CEO of DST).

Making his statement, the leading vocalist of the DST COVID-19 Response Song – Osman said the song was tailored specifically to relate with persons with disabilities. “Disabled persons are at high risk of contracting the virus”, he said. They customized the COVID-19 generic messages for persons with disabilities, like ensuring that caregivers always be clean before getting in contact with a disabled; and also to always clean their assistive devices like crutches, wheelchairs and more and also use sign languages to educate the deaf.

The Dorothy Springer Trust is an organisation that was registered in the UK, and also registered in Sierra Leone with the aim of transforming the lives of persons with disabilities in Sierra Leone, by providing training in ICT and more.

The DST COVID-19 Response song contains important messages on the Coronavirus precautions, with good rhythm and vocals. The event was graced by media personalities and members of the dst organisation. It all climaxed with a donation made by DST to the Grafton persons with disabilities, who were the recipients of veronica buckets, soaps, face masks, sanitizers and more items.