The Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Farida Tunis, received pupils, teachers, and administrative staff from Belliveau International School, Monrovia, Liberia, on Monday, August 19, 2024. The group arrived in Sierra Leone on Friday, August 16, 2024, under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs.
The purpose of their visit was to learn about Sierra Leone’s culture and explore its natural beauty. With the assistance of the Monument and Relics Commission and the Sierra Leone Scout Association, the pupils toured various monumental and tourist sites, including the Old Fourah Bay College building, Sierra Leone Grammar School, Mambo Waterfall, York, the National Railway Museum, Sussex (the Queen’s Beach), and Number 2 River.
The Proprietor of Belliveau International School expressed delight at the hospitality they received in Sierra Leone, describing it as beyond their expectations. He extended his thanks and appreciation to the Minister and her team for the warm welcome.
One of the pupils, Aminata Kamara, described their visit as an opportunity to experience new tourism sites and a culture different from their own. She considered the journey a chance for learning, growth, and connection, noting that it surpassed their expectations. Aminata highlighted that each site they visited enhanced their understanding of the world, with the warm welcome from the Sierra Leone Railway Museum’s management standing out the most.
Minister Nabeela Farida Tunis expressed her heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in the incredible journey, which began on August 16 and concluded on August 19, 2024. She emphasized the experiences shared with love and camaraderie and commended the National Scout Association team for their commitment and care, which helped the pupils and teachers experience the best of Sierra Leone’s hospitality.
The Minister introduced the “Tourism for All” campaign to the pupils, stressing its importance in promoting Sierra Leone’s tourism. She noted that August is a significant month for the country, as it celebrates its tourism and culture promotion campaign. Minister Tunis highlighted that their visit aligned perfectly with the Ministry’s year-long effort to showcase Sierra Leone’s cultural and touristic treasures. She was thrilled with the time the pupils of Belliveau spent in Sierra Leone and the firsthand experience they gained of the country’s culture.
The Minister expressed optimism about reciprocating the visit to Belliveau International School during her upcoming trip to Liberia to further strengthen the ties between the two countries. She was impressed by the school’s diversity, which she believed is vital for nurturing young potential. The planting of a tree in York by the pupils and their visits to local attractions like Mambo Waterfall and Number 2 River have left a meaningful impact.
Minister Tunis noted that their visit follows the Vice President’s interest in Sierra Leone’s tourism industry. She promised that her ministry would support any future exchange programs that could benefit Belliveau International School and looked forward to expanding this relationship, including interactions with the Ministry of Tourism’s school culture clubs.
The Minister concluded by noting that Sierra Leone, like Monrovia and other Mano River Union countries, is beautiful. She was delighted that the pupils had the chance to explore it and encouraged them to promote what they have seen when they return home. She emphasized that, as MRU members, it is now their role to enhance tourism within the MRU region. The Minister once again expressed gratitude for their visit and the wonderful memories they would take home.
The meeting was climaxed by presenting Sierra Leones products including Sierra Leone weaving country cloth, a booklet has Sierra Leone beautiful places and artifacts and other promotional items as a sign of appreciation to the teachers and pupils for their visit which was done by the Minister Nabeela Tunis, the Deputy Minister Khadijatu Grace Kamara and the Administrative Manager of the Monument and Relics Commission.
