Sierra Leone Ambassador Supports Family of Late Student with $13,700

March 1, 2025

The Sierra Leone Ambassador to China, Dr. Abu Bakarr Karim, has presented $13,700 to the family of Ibrahim Dainkeh, a Sierra Leonean student who passed away while studying at the China University of Petroleum in Beijing.

The ceremony took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Freetown, attended by members of Dainkeh’s family, ministry officials, and representatives from the student community. This financial support aims to provide relief to the grieving family and was facilitated by the Sierra Leone Embassy in China as part of efforts to secure health insurance for the deceased student's relatives.

During the event, Ambassador Karim expressed deep condolences, reaffirming the embassy’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leonean students abroad. He emphasized that losing a young scholar full of potential is a tragic loss, assuring the family that they are not alone in their grief.

Dainkeh’s death has sparked renewed discussions about the welfare of Sierra Leonean students overseas, highlighting the need for stronger support systems. The Sierra Leone Students’ Union in China (SLSUC) praised the ambassador and the government for their leadership and assistance. The union’s president, Josephine Margaret Williams, pledged to advocate for improved student welfare and encouraged collaboration between the student body and the embassy.

As the family mourns, this financial assistance stands as a gesture of solidarity, reinforcing the support network within the Sierra Leonean diaspora.