Education in Sierra Leone: Building Futures Through Learning

Children students in classroom in Sierra Leone
In Sierra Leone, access to education can mean the difference between a lifetime of poverty and the chance to thrive. Many children still grow up without access to safe schools, qualified teachers, or basic learning materials.

 

At the Safe Haven Adaptive Response Program (SHARP), we believe that education is the foundation for breaking cycles of poverty and building a future of opportunity and stability. By ensuring that children—and the communities around them—have access to quality education, we create the tools for lasting change.

Why Education Matters

SHARP Founder, Ibrahim Kamara, with students
The United Nations has identified “Quality Education” as Goal 4 of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Access to education transforms lives by:

 

  • Giving children the skills to secure meaningful employment as adults
  • Empowering families to rise out of poverty
  • Improving community health and well-being
  • Strengthening resilience to climate and economic challenges
When children learn, communities grow stronger, healthier, and more self-sufficient.

SHARP’s Education Programs

One of Sharp's teachers, standing in front of blackboard teaching students in Sierra Leone at Freetown School

Freetown School

Our first school began in 2008 and now serves 218 students with a dedicated staff of 15 teachers. Thanks to generous donor support, we relocated the school in 2020 to a safer building outside the flood zone—ensuring a stable learning environment that won’t be destroyed by seasonal flooding.
 
Students at SHARP’s Freetown School consistently achieve high scores on national exams, demonstrating that quality education is possible even in challenging conditions.
A donated van once provided safe transportation to and from school; now that affordable public transit is available, families can easily access our school community—keeping attendance strong and consistent.

 

Expanding Education in Newton

In 2023, SHARP opened a second school in the rural community of Newton. Here, 84 children—many attending school for the first time— are receiving a life-changing opportunity to learn. And, we currently have 7 teachers and staff members.

 

The nearest government school is more than five miles away, and transportation is not provided. Despite these barriers, our teachers walk or cycle up to 6 miles each way to reach their students—an extraordinary act of dedication that embodies SHARP’s mission.

 

Thanks to our supporters, we’ve provided bicycles for every teacher, helping ensure they can continue this critical work.

 

The Newton school currently operates in a building loaned by the village chief, but it is in need of major repairs. That’s why SHARP is now building a new, permanent school and agricultural training center—a cornerstone of our long-term vision for the region.

 

New School and Agricultural Training Center in Newton

Our new multi-purpose educational and community hub will provide a permanent home for SHARP’s education, agriculture, and empowerment programs in rural Sierra Leone.

 

Classrooms for Children’s Education
  • Nine new classrooms will accommodate up to 360 students, offering a safe, stable, and inspiring space for learning.
Agricultural Training Center
  • Farmers will have access to training, tools, and seeds to improve their practices, boost productivity, and enhance food security.
ICT (Information & Communication Technology) Room
  • Students and community members will gain access to digital literacy and computer training, opening doors to modern education and employment opportunities.
This new facility will serve as more than a school—it will be a community empowerment hub, nurturing learning, agricultural innovation, and technological advancement for generations to come.

 

Support Our New School! >>

✋ How You Can Help

 
Your support makes it possible for children and families in Sierra Leone to learn, grow, and thrive.
  • Donate to help us finish our new school!
  • Sponsor a student and change the trajectory of a child’s life.
  • Partner as a corporate or foundation sponsor to invest in sustainable education.
  • Volunteer your expertise to help develop curricula, teacher training, or digital learning resources.
 
Together, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn, dream, and create a better future.

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