Pad-SL

17/01/2026

11/01/2026

Tambiyama Clinic Water System Rehabilitation Update
In November 2025, Rory’s Well Charity Trustee in charge of Water, Mr. Sean Mill, paid a monitoring visit to Tambiyama Community. During this visit, he observed that three community wells were in urgent need of repair. He also assessed the water situation at the Tambiyama Community Clinic, which previously depended on two water sources: one hand-dug well and one solar-powered pump system.
Unfortunately, the hand-dug well at the clinic dries up annually between March and April, causing severe water shortages. During this period, the clinic is often left without a reliable water supply for four to five months, affecting critical services such as labour, sanitation, and drinking water for patients. The clinic serves over 2,000 people from five surrounding villages, making the water crisis a serious public health concern.
The solar-powered pump, which was installed to address this challenge, stopped functioning after a few months of operation. After technical assessment, it was confirmed that the system was beyond repair. Due to current resource limitations, replacing the solar system was not feasible. As an alternative and sustainable solution, it was agreed that a hand pump would be installed on the existing solar borehole to ensure continuous water supply to the clinic and nearby community.
Following Mr. Sean Mill’s return, Rory’s Well Charity acted promptly by releasing funds to People’s Agenda for Development Sierra Leone (PAD-SL). The funds were used to procure a brand-new hand pump, cement, and to cover labour costs for immediate installation.
We are pleased to report that the new hand pump has now been successfully installed at the Tambiyama Clinic and is fully functional, providing safe and reliable water for patients, healthcare workers, and the surrounding communities.
PAD-SL extends its sincere appreciation to Rory’s Well Charity for their swift response and continued commitment to improving access to clean water in rural Sierra Leone. Special thanks also go to the PAD-SL Water Team for their dedication and timely ex*****on of this critical intervention.
Together, we continue to save lives through water.
Steven U. Mansaray
Director
People’s Agenda for Development Sierra Leone (PAD-SL)

10/01/2026

Inga edulis and Its Relationship with Soil and the Environment: Experience from Sierra Leone
1. Introduction
Inga edulis, commonly known as Ice-cream bean, is a fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing leguminous tree native to Central and South America. It is widely recognized for its role in sustainable agriculture, soil restoration, agroforestry systems, and climate resilience.
In November 2018, Inga edulis was introduced to Sierra Leone through a partnership between Rory’s Well Charity (United Kingdom) and People’s Agenda for Development – Sierra Leone (PAD-SL). This introduction was made possible through the technical and logistical support of Antony D. Evans and Gaston Bitto from Cameroon. Since its arrival, PAD-SL and partners have conducted practical field experiments to evaluate the performance of various food and cash crops under Inga edulis alley-cropping systems.

2. Botanical and Ecological Characteristics of Inga edulis
Inga edulis belongs to the Fabaceae (legume) family, which gives it a unique ecological advantage:
• Rapid growth with a dense canopy
• Deep root system that stabilizes soil
• Ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules
• Production of large quantities of organic biomass (leaves and prunings)
These characteristics make Inga edulis highly suitable for tropical environments, including the forest–savanna transition zones of Sierra Leone.

3. Relationship Between Inga edulis and Soil
3.1 Nitrogen Fixation and Soil Fertility
As a leguminous tree, Inga edulis forms a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Rhizobium). This process converts atmospheric nitrogen into forms usable by plants, resulting in:
• Improved soil nitrogen content
• Reduced need for chemical fertilizers
• Enhanced crop productivity over time
This is particularly important in Sierra Leone, where many agricultural soils are nutrient-depleted due to shifting cultivation and continuous cropping.
3.2 Organic Matter and Soil Structure
The regular pruning of Inga edulis produces large amounts of green mulch, which:
• Increases soil organic matter
• Improves soil structure and aeration
• Enhances microbial activity
• Improves water infiltration and retention
As the mulch decomposes, it releases nutrients gradually, supporting sustained crop growth.
3.3 Soil Conservation and Erosion Control
The tree’s root system binds soil particles together, while its canopy reduces the direct impact of rainfall. This leads to:
• Reduced soil erosion
• Protection of topsoil
• Stabilization of sloping farmlands
These benefits are critical in areas prone to heavy rainfall and land degradation.

4. Relationship Between Inga edulis and the Environment
4.1 Climate Regulation and Carbon Sequestration
Inga edulis contributes to climate change mitigation by:
• Absorbing and storing atmospheric carbon
• Reducing surface soil temperatures
• Creating a favorable microclimate for understory crops
Its dense canopy helps reduce heat stress on crops and soil organisms.
4.2 Biodiversity Enhancement
The tree provides:
• Habitat for beneficial insects and birds
• Shade that supports diverse plant species
• Improved ecological balance within farming systems
This aligns well with environmentally sustainable and conservation-based agriculture.
4.3 Reduced Dependence on Slash-and-Burn
One of the most important environmental benefits of Inga edulis is its role as an alternative to slash-and-burn agriculture. By restoring soil fertility naturally, farmers can reuse the same land continuously without destroying forests.

5. Experimental Trials with Food and Cash Crops in Sierra Leone
Since its introduction in 2019, PAD-SL and partners have carried out field experiments to assess the performance of various crops under Inga edulis alley systems.
5.1 Crops Tested
The following crops have been tested:
1. Maize
2. Rice
3. Groundnut
4. Cassava (still under trial)
5. Cocoa (still under trial)
5.2 Observed Results
• Maize has shown excellent performance, growing vigorously within Inga edulis alleys due to improved soil fertility, moisture retention, and reduced w**d pressure.
• Rice, especially upland or “Wise Rice”, has also performed well under the alley-cropping system, benefiting from mulch cover and nutrient availability.
• Groundnut has shown promising early results, particularly in improved soil conditions.
• Cassava and Cocoa are still under long-term observation, as they require more time to assess yield response, shade tolerance, and root interactions.
These trials demonstrate that Inga edulis is highly compatible with mixed cropping and agroforestry systems in Sierra Leone.

6. Significance for Sustainable Agriculture in Sierra Leone
The successful establishment of Inga edulis represents a major opportunity for:
• Sustainable food production
• Soil restoration and conservation
• Climate-smart agriculture
• Reduced farmer input costs
• Improved rural livelihoods
The collaboration between Rory’s Well Charity (UK) and PAD-SL stands as a strong example of how international partnerships and local innovation can promote environmentally sound agricultural solutions.
7. Conclusion
Inga edulis has proven to be more than just a tree; it is a soil-healing, climate-friendly, and farmer-supporting species. Since its introduction to Sierra Leone in November 2018 through Rory’s Well Charity and PAD-SL, and with the contributions of Antony D. Evans and Gaston Bitto, the tree has demonstrated strong potential to transform degraded farmland into productive agricultural systems.
The ongoing crop trials, especially with maize and rice, confirm that Inga edulis alley-cropping can play a critical role in sustainable agriculture, food security, and environmental conservation in Sierra Leone.

18/12/2025

GRADUATION POETIC SPEECH BY STEVEN UINSA MANSARAY.

Today I stand, not alone, but lifted high,
By many hands, by tears, by prayers, by try.
This gown I wear is stitched with love and pain,
With hope that fell, then courage rose again.
To those who paved the road where my feet began, my brothers Mr. Bockarie Mansaray and Mr. Muniru Mansaray you were my strength when mine was not enough, my shelter when the journey became rough. And Mrs. Kadie Juana, steadfast and kind, through junior and senior days, you stood in line
between my fear and failure’s door,
your care still echoes forevermore.
I remember the days when university seemed far, when dreams were bigger than credentials are. When doors were closed and hope was thin, brother Mustapha Wai believed within.
With fifty dollars and a generous heart,
you paid my way to make a start.
I used it well; today it speaks your name, for small seeds can light a mighty flame.
To my UK parents, heaven-sent light, the late Mr. Antony Evans and Karen Binns, shining bright you gave me warmth when nights were cold, you showed me love I had never known.
Tony, my savior, my backbone, my defense,
you filled my life with meaning and sense.
I never cried when death passed by, but when you left, my heart did cry. Because the affection you gave, so deep, so true, was a miracle my soul always knew.
May God Almighty grant you paradise, you live in my heart, beyond time’s demise.
And to the Rory’s Well Charity family, you honored Tony’s legacy thank you sincerely.
A very special gratitude, deep and wide, to my lovely wife, my joy, my pride, and my precious children, patient and strong,
Who allowed me to leave for weeks so long.

14/12/2025

Be the voice for change.
Be the hand of support.
Be the future of development.

PAD-SL — working together for empowered people and sustainable progress in Sierra Leone.

13/12/2025

Building Sustainable Futures for Rural Communities

Clean water, climate-smart agriculture, and livelihood solutions for lasting impact.