Sierra Leoneans in Berlin raise funds for community centre

The Sierra Leone Community Berlin Brandenburg e.V. (SLCBB) has launched a fundraising campaign for a community centre in the federal capital.

According to the chairperson of the SLCBB, Daphne Decker-Hora, the association is seeking to acquire a 50 square metres (m2) property in Berlin that will function as a meeting point for Sierra Leoneans and their friends as well as a centre to offer support to those in need of assistance.

“This centre will not only serve as a hub to achieve networking of members of the Sierra Leone community of Berlin and Brandenburg, Germans and friends, but also a space for hosting regular events, such as sports competitions, cultural shows, symposia and many more,” Ms Decker-Hora said.

“This place will also aid seniors [elderly] to combat loneliness and promote wellbeing.. It will be a daily gathering point where African cuisine will be offered at its finest.”

The cost of acquiring the centre is 30,000 euros out of which the SLCBB has raised 5,000 euros from among its members. It’s now seeking to raise the balance of 25,000 euros from the public.

The association, founded in 1991 as a union for Sierra Leoneans living in Berlin and the state of Brandenburg, envisions the centre to promote cohesion among Africans and the larger society.

The SLCBB, which currently has about 800 members, assures that 100% of donations will be spent on acquiring the centre as “there will be no personnel costs”.

The association will celebrate its end of year party on Saturday, 3 December. The event will take place at AuRa Hall, Sonnenallee 269-271, 12057 Berlin (Contact: +49 172 4641070).

Femi Awoniyi

To support the Sierra Leone Community in Berlin-Brandenburg, visit its Go Fund Me page HERE