Freetown — SOS Trust Sierra Leone has paid the sum of one hundred and forty-one million Leones (Le141M) to 26 beneficiaries as money gift savings.

This was disclosed by the SOS national coordinator, Olatungie Woode on Monday August 16 during a short ceremony held at the institution's head office, Lumley. He said his target for this year is to pay money gift savings to 82 former youths of SOS. Mr. Woode said the highest paid beneficiary receives Le15 million while the least paid pocketed Le1.9 million according to savings from various sponsors.

"It is not a right, it is an opportunity or privilege," he said. The SOS national coordinator admonished the youths to put the money into good use as it would help improve their lives. He reminded them of past incidents when some of the youths squandered their money and came back to the organization, saying they did not receive their money.

"In view of those incidents, we have decided to use stringent measures: ID card, cheques and photographs are photocopied and kept in the archives," he said. He informed the beneficiaries that according to the rules, "if you do not have any money in your gift savings the sum of USD 500 (five hundred dollars) is paid to the individual", adding that they are the last to receive their payment.

Woode said normally cheques are paid from the national accounts, but that the current payment is from the savings account. Board member Mrs. Victoria Conteh advised the youths to be focused and do something better with the money, wishing them every success in their endeavours.

Head of sponsorship programme, Mrs. Matilda Fatmata Taylor advised the beneficiaries not to be in haste to spend the money, urging them to seek for guidance as to how they could invest their monies. Ebu Bakarie admonished the youths that with the money they could do something for their future.

The beneficiaries said they feel good in receiving the money but were quick to plead not to disclose their identities. Money Gift Savings are monies saved the day a pupil enters the SOS through sponsorship until he or she leaves the village. The money is kept at the International Office in Vienna until it is requested for by the organization for onward payment to the beneficiaries.