By Ibrahim Sesay 

The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, with support from Caritas Freetown, Lanyi Foundation and Healey International Relief Foundation, on Thursday, 18 December 2025, hosted an interfaith dialogue and rice distribution exercise at Sheikh Tais Academy, Kissy Shell Lorry Park in Freetown.

Held under the theme: “Uniting Against Substance Abuse for a Healthy and Hopeful Sierra Leone,” the event brought together Christian, Muslim, Rastafarian and Buddhist leaders, youth groups and community members to promote religious tolerance, national cohesion and collective action against the growing challenge of substance abuse, especially kush.

Speaking on efforts by the Christian community to combat drug abuse, Rev. Dr. Joseph T. Kamanda of the Catholic Mission said prayer remains the first line of defence, noting that churches have continued to seek divine intervention against the menace. He disclosed that a rehabilitation centre has been established to support victims recovering from harmful substance addiction. Rev. Dr. Joseph T. Kamanda Kamanda also advocated for the establishment of skills training centres, stressing that empowering young people with vocational skills would reduce their vulnerability to drug abuse.

Similarly, Sheikh Fomba Swaray of the Sierra Leone Muslim Missionary Union warned against substance abuse, referencing a verse from the Holy Quran which cautions believers not to engage in self-destruction. He said drug addiction negatively affects national development, emphasizing that only productive citizens can contribute meaningfully to the growth of the country.

Representing the Buddhist community, Bodhisattva Mohamed Pabai said Buddhism teaches karma, explaining that every action has consequences. He noted that drug abuse among young people poses a serious threat to the future of Sierra Leone, as the youth are tomorrow’s leaders.

He called for communal discipline, stressing that addressing Kush requires collective responsibility beyond individual families. He further revealed that a 2023 survey conducted at the Kissy Psychiatric Hospital showed that many college students had been affected by Kush, adding that Buddhist groups engage communities through sensitization campaigns in addition to prayer.

In his statement, the Director of Social and Religious Affairs at the Ministry of Social Welfare, John Conteh, described the event as a reflection of Sierra Leone’s longstanding tradition of religious tolerance. He said the Ministry has developed a Religious Policy aimed at strengthening peaceful coexistence and has already begun engagements with the Inter-Religious Council. John Conteh commended the Tzu Chi Foundation and its partners for their humanitarian support to vulnerable families.

Delivering a statement on behalf of Dharma Master Cheng Yen, founder of the Tzu Chi Foundation, Margaret Bassie said all religions share a common path of love and compassion. She noted that while suffering, disasters and calamities exist in the world, religions are united in responding with care and empathy.

Margaret Bassie emphasized that no single religion or individual can address societal challenges alone, calling for collective efforts across faiths. She added that although religions may differ in name, they share the same values and desire to spread blessings and love to humanity.

Expressing gratitude, Kadiatu Mansaray, a beneficiary, said the donation would help her family enjoy the holidays, noting that life has been difficult for her as a single mother. Another beneficiary, Ibrahim Kamara, described the gesture as consistent support from the Foundation, praying for continued blessings to enable the organization to sustain its humanitarian work.

The event concluded with the distribution of bags of rice to beneficiaries, providing relief to families facing economic hardship during the festive season. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/tzu-chi-foundation-promotes-interfaith-dialogue-distributes-rice-to-3200-beneficiaries-in-freetown/