About Us

The association is established to provide:

Financial, material and other help where necessary and possible and the supply of educational materials and other paraphernalia that would enhance education in the primary school in Murray Town, Freetown, Sierra Leone

To give support to the economic and social development of the Murray Town community in Sierra Leone, the UK and worldwide

To give material and financial support to the development of the Health Centre for emergency medical treatment in the village of Murray Town

Historical Background

In 2008, a collaborative effort was made by individuals to revive Murray Town Association.

The desire was driven by the almost shameful situation that occurred after the death of Mrs Gloria Mettle, nee Langley, fondly known as Alaphia in London in November 2008. Alaphia was born and nurtured in Murray Town, and living in London, but her death in London was not widely known to many of us from Murray Town who knew her from childhood. When she died desperate efforts were made by several people on the announcement of her death, to get the details of her address and matrimonial connections. It was agonisingly shocking moment for Murraytonians in the London diaspora. At her funeral service at West Croydon Methodist Church on Monday 8th Dec 2008, Adesimi, (Sam Walker) gave a tribute and made an emotional appear for the revival of the association. The appeal was tremendously supported and the first meeting held on Saturday 21st Feb 2009 at Walworth Methodist Church, Camberwell Road, London.

Those present at that meeting; the founder members, were: E. T. O. Ahlakor, ,Sigismond H Tucker, Marian Lacan, Joya George, Margaret Robinson, Judith Conteh, Victoria Sylvah, Gloria Carew, Winston Ade Fraser, BesorduPyne, Penninah Cole, Bernadette Jaber, Desmond Sesay, Amorette Decker, Charles Adeyemie Horton, Juliet Sho-Cole, Adesimi Walker.

Many others gave their unequivocal support of the formation of the association and later became members. Those who expressed support were Eugene Macauley, Victoria Eku Williams, Mrs. Aba Fraser-Leigh, Lovetta Savage, Etmonia Pratt.

This our second attempt to establish the Association. Prior to the second attempt there was an exploratory survey of interest in forming an association of Murraytonians in London. This occurred following the death of Louisa Claudia Atiba-Davies nee Cummings in September 1993, but as far as the writer knows, there were no further practical steps taken to organise a formal meeting.

On 17th May 1996, Adesimi sent a letter of invitation to all known Murraytonians in London and proposed a meeting at the Sierra Leone High Commission for Sunday 2nd June later that year. This was the first meeting which started at 2.30pm. Mr Ulric Caramba Coker was instrumental in arranging a room for the meeting and all future meetings. The High Commissioner at the time, His Excellency, Professor Cyril Foray was informed about the formation of the association and he gave his support. there were only four people at this meeting: Emmanuel T.O Ahlakor (deceased) Acting Chair, Mrs Judith Conteh, Mrs Ellen Davies, Sigismond Tucker acting Secretary and Sam Walker.

At the second meeting four more people attended in addition to those who were at the first meeting. They were: Mrs Margaret Robinson, Isabelle Barclay-Prempeh (deceased), Mrs Oredola Pratt; and Ms Joya George. This was a good meeting with the women adding sparkle and camaraderie. Elections were also held at this meeting with the late Emmanuel T.O. Ahlakor as President, Sigismond Tucker as Secretary, Isabelle Barclay-Prempeh as Treasurer, Sam Walker as Publicity Secretary and MargaretRobinson as Welfare Officer. Several months later others joined the association including John Davies, Desmond Lewis, Ayodele T Cole, Ophelia Lewis, Norma Walker, Florella Baker, Winston Ade Fraser and Elijah Fraser.

From the records available, meetings were held for over a year before interest began to fizzle out until the death of Isabelle Barclay-Prempeh (shown on the right) fondly known as Bola in May 2000.

Annual Events and Recent Developments

The Association is now a registered charity with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. Fundraising events are invariably held between June and November. Our Africana Nite has become a very successful social event in the calendar of activities among Sierra Leoneans. Our thanksgiving service is usually on the last Sunday in September to coincide with the laying of the foundation stone of Hudson Market in the village in 1934.

Eight volumes of Teacher Resource materials in English, Maths and Reading were sent to the school in 2013 through Rev Dr Olivia Wesley, a Murraytonian.

In 2014, a large consignment of various text books were sent to the school and presented in a ceremony witnessed by local dignitaries, Head Teachers and pupils of the school.

A further consignment was sent in 2016 including basic medical accessories to the Health Centre in the village and further afield to the maternity hospital in Cline Town.

In 2017, we started discussion about the refurbishment of the Health centre. We made severaldue diligence contacts with individuals in the village and we have been able to refurbish the Health Centre at a cost of more than £13000; laying new floor tiles, new patients’ waiting area,

painting and decorating and so on.

Rev Dr Olivia Wesley saying a prayer over donated books to the school in the presence of local dignitaries and teachers and Adesimi and Marian who were in Murray Town during this time.

During the same year we sent hymn books and Holy Communion accessories to Ebenezer and Jordan Churches and prayer mats to the two mosques in the village and also King George V1 Memorial Home, Grafton. (see appreciation letters below)

We are now engaged in bringing into use two unused old buildings that are at the bottom of the playground in Murray Town School. The intention is to comprehensively refurbish these buildings and provide additional classrooms with new up to date windows, a new ceiling, verandah, blackboards and school furniture. Work has already started and a new roof has been erected, see below. The completion of the refurbishment is expected within two to three months at a cost of over £11000.

Our plans for the next five years are:

(1) canvass for new members,

(2) complement our fundraising activities with new and innovative methods and

(3) regular visits to our elders.

Bottom: letters of appreciation and thanks for donations of Church materials to Ebenezer and Jordan,

King George V1 Memorial Home and mats for Jamiatu Naheeem Mosque.

New roof of the two school buildings that are being refurbished

Thank you letters from Ebenezer Methodist Church, Jordan (WAM) Church, The Sierra Leone Society for the

Welfare of the Aged in Grafton and Jamiatu Mosque in Murray Town

Here, Mrs Victoria Thomas and Mrs Iris Tolno, both senior teachers, and Mr Egerton John, an elder of the village, are receiving the educational materials.

The school materials were taken by a mini bus to the school at 11.15 a.m on Wednesday 30th April 2014.

Raymond Walker, Kojo Pobee and others had organized the transportation to collect the boxes from a warehouse managed by Sierra Freight Services in Kennedy Street, Freetown. The presentation ceremony started at 12:00 pm

with Muslim and Christian prayers and presided over by Chief George Songo King. The ceremony was led by the Secretary General of the Murray Town Primary School, Old Student Association; Samuel Ojumiri Osafele. There were many people who attended including local councillors, tribal heads, teachers, pupils and ex-pupils of the school and community representatives.

In his opening remarks Chief George Songo King, expressed his profound thanks to the Murray Town Association UK (MTAUK) for their efforts to raise funds to help the school and by extension the local community. He told the pupils to make good use of the items and to be more serious with their school work. He intimated the launch of an association of ex-pupils of the school in Murray Town in September.

Councilor Salomi Kernolai also expressed her sincere thanks for the invitation to the ceremony. She said that her father also attended the school and was delighted to witness the presentation. It was a memorable occasion and one that others should follow. She also stated that the long awaited fencing project of the cemetery will soon start and encouraged Murraytonians in the UK and elsewhere to make a contribution.

The Head Teachers Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Tolno also expressed their thanks and appreciation for the presentation to the school. It was an opportune moment to receive the stationery. The school had not received any educational materials for over a year and this is quite apart from the long delays in getting salaries. It is so much a relief to receive the stationery. They said that they do not mind being monitored to ensure the materials are being used properly for the children. They expressed the wish that MTAUK should use the same process for sending materials to the school through the same individuals who are

very much trusted community leaders.

Mr Raymond Walker also made a short statement expressing gratitude for the donation on behalf of the school and community. . He said that he hopes that the donation will not be the last, and that other individuals who have passed through the school will also be able to make a contribution to its development. He urged pupils to be more dedicated to their work and hoped that the efforts of Murray Town Association UK will not be wasted.

He offered a prayer of dedication on the boxes which were later opened by councillor Salomi Kemolia to loud, ecstatic applause. Mr Egerton John presented the boxes to the Headteachers; a vote of thanks by Ade Charles Horton followed by closing prayers and light refreshments.

Sam Walker

Our Vision

To enhance, develop and enrich the welfare of people in Murray Town and to inspire the desire to become a beacon of excellence through higher attainment levels in education and health, with the primary focus on raising educational standards in Murray Town primary school.