By Nafisatu Olayinka Deen
Freetown, 25th October, 2026 – In a colourful show of solidarity to end polio and raise awareness, the Rotary family in Sierra Leone has come together on World Polio Day for a joint art-driven fundraising event titled “Paint for Polio,” held under the theme: “Create Lasting Impact”.
The event, organized by Rotary Sierra Leone, Rotaract Sierra Leone and Interact Sierra Leone, in partnership with Cassius Portraits, was held on Saturday at the Orange Digital Center, 1 Alpha Wurie Drive, Hill Station, Imatt, to commemorate World Polio Day.
Several clubs from each division participated in the event, which ran from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., bringing together Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors and guests for an afternoon of painting, advocacy and fundraising for polio eradication.
Speaking at the event, President of the Rotary Club of Freetown-Sunset, Rotarian Abdul Manaff Kemokai, said that raising awareness about polio is a big step towards progress in ending polio. “Ending polio means everyone receiving and acting on the simple message of how to prevent and end polio. Together, we can make a polio-free world a reality,” he noted.
Rotarian Sahr Abraham Grass-Sessay, president of the Rotary Club of Hill Station, noted that Rotary has embarked on major awareness campaigns on polio and continues to support vaccination efforts as part of its humanitarian work. He emphasized that Rotary’s commitment to polio eradication remains central to the organization’s service to humanity.
2026/2027 Public Image Chair – Rotary Club of Freetown-Sunset, Rotarian Yasmine Bilkis Ibrahim, said the club has been consistent in raising awareness. “As the Rotary Club of Freetown-Sunset, we have supported polio awareness through polio walks and community outreach, helping to educate communities about the importance of vaccination,” she said.
She noted that ending polio should not stop in October but must be a continuous process. “Polio eradication goes far beyond October 24. Our goal is for future generations to grow up in a world where polio is no longer a threat. That is why we are committed to eradicating polio in our lifetime,” she said.
She added that although wild poliovirus remains endemic in only two countries – Afghanistan and Pakistan – the work is not done until transmission is stopped globally. “We must continue to mobilize, sensitize and immunize until we achieve a polio-free world,” she said.
The “Paint for Polio” initiative is part of Rotary International’s flagship “End Polio Now” campaign. Rotary has been at the forefront of the global fight to eradicate polio for over 35 years, helping to reduce polio cases by 99.9% worldwide.
As part of the fundraising, tickets were sold at SLE 150 for Interactors, SLE 200 for Rotaractors, and SLE 250 for Rotarians and Guests, with proceeds going towards Rotary’s PolioPlus fund.
World Polio Day is observed every 24th October to raise awareness of the importance of polio vaccination and to celebrate progress toward a polio-free world.
