ABOUT US
ABOUT US – AWOL-UK & I
All Works Of Life UK & Ireland better known by the acronym “AWOL-UK & I” is a charitable organisation duly registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales. AWOL-UK &I was founded on 5th May 2010 by like-minded Sierra Leoneans particularly in England & Wales as a subsidiary body to AWOL Sierra Leone.
AWOL Sierra Leone as a parent organisation was founded in 2001 by development-oreinted and patriotic Sierraleoneans with a strong desire to compliment the effort of the Government of Sierra Leone in nation building. The establishment of AWOL Sierra Leone coincided with the official declaration of the end of the decade-long civil war by former President Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabba (of blessed memory) that cost the lives of thousands of Sierra Leoneans particularly women and children and severe distruction to the country’s infrastructures.
At the offical launch of the organisation at the British Council in Freetown in July 2002, former President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah in a show of appreciation of the AWOL initiative stressed that “Sierra Leoneans should not expect his government to do everything for them”. This appreciation was also echoed by former President Ernest Koroma in one of his address to the nation in 2011 when he had this to say: “And talking about development brings me to the issue of the All Works of Life (AWOL) – one of the few non-governmental organisations complimenting the development efforts of the President and government of Sierra Leone.” According to him, “AWOL’s contribution to national development is worth acknowledging and distinct example worth emulating.”
As an organisation, AWOL Sierra Leone has played and continues to play a pivotal role towards the socio-economic development of the country. Such efforts are clear indications to justify the fact that Sierra Leoneans themselves can take over the destiny of their own nation. In commending the role played by AWOL Sierra Leone in the Silver Jubilee celebration of the country’s indepencence in April 2011, a popular journalist -Sorie `Sudan Sesay has this to say about the organisation: “AWOL has set a solid pace for others to follow in future – and for me, the history books of the Golden Jubilee Anniversary celebration would never be complete if we fail to mention and acknowledge the significant contributions of AWOL.”
In its desire to spread the spirit of patriotism and national development among Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora, the Leadership of AWOL Sierra Leone encouraged and in some instances facilitated the formation of subsidiary bodies in the United Kingdom, United States of America, Australia and Continental Europe and each subsidiary body was named after its country of residence.
Following the formation of AWOL-UK & I in 2010, a caretaker executive was established under the leadership of Mr. Thomas Komeh as chairman. The first executive was elected in 2011 with Mr. Alfred Parker Jnr. as the first substantive chairman of the organisation, Mr. Mezo Turay as Vice Chairman, Mrs. Mariama “Parade” Koroma as chairlady and only female, Mr. Adams Bangura as Secretary, Mr. Sulaiman Bolo Jalloh as Organising and Publicity Secretary, Mohamed Sahid Jalloh as Financial Secretary & treasurer and Mr. Moseray Kargbo as Chief Whip.
As part of our desire to compliment the effort of the Government of Sierra Leone in the process of nation building and development, AWOL-UK & I deemed it necessary to host annual achievement awards to raise funds for our various development projects and to recognise the diverse contributions of Sierra Leoneans and those connected to Sierra Leone in the development of our country. Most notable awards include: “Community champion award”, “Lifetime acheivement award”, “Best friend of Sierra Leone” and “Best organisation”. The first Award ceremony was hosted in June 2011 at the Lighthouse in London
In its development and charitable drive, Awol-UK has embarked on series of charitable projects in Sierra from the proceeds of its annual acheivement awards and members’ subscriptions. Some of these projects include the refurbishment of the Safinatu Primary School in Kissy Freetown, the dontation of healthcare materials to the Government of Sierra Leone during the Ebola outbreak in the country in 2014/15, donation to victims of the maudslide in August 2017, sponsor to the Mr. Sierra Leone award, etc.