Teaching with Dedication in Challenging Conditions

Empowering Schools operates two schools in Sierra Leone: one in Freetown, serving children in a poverty-stricken, flood-prone settlement area, and another in Newton Village, a remote community with limited access to education.

Teachers at both locations work under difficult conditions, including limited learning materials and students who face daily challenges such as hunger and severe flooding during the rainy season. Despite these obstacles, our students continue to perform highly on national examinations, reflecting the commitment and dedication of our teachers.

This week, SHARP’s Executive Director, Ibrahim Kamara, spoke with Ms. Hawanatu Koroma, a nursery school teacher at our Freetown campus, about her life, her passion for teaching, and the rewards and challenges of working with young learners.

Interview with Hawanatu Koroma

Ibrahim Kamara: Where did you grow up?

Hawanatu Koroma: I grew up in Congo Town.

Ibrahim Kamara: Where do you live now?

Hawanatu Koroma: I live on Cemetery Road in Congo Town, Freetown.

Ibrahim Kamara: How many people are in your family?

Hawanatu Koroma: There are eight people in our family.

Ibrahim Kamara: What do you like to do in your spare time?

Hawanatu Koroma: I like reading books and listening to music in my spare time.

Ibrahim Kamara: Where did you go to school?

Hawanatu Koroma: I attended Government Secondary School in Murray Town.

Ibrahim Kamara: Did you have a favorite teacher?

Hawanatu Koroma: Yes, Mr. Koroma.

Ibrahim Kamara: What made him your favorite teacher?

Hawanatu Koroma: He was very good at telling stories.

Ibrahim Kamara: What made you want to become a teacher?

Hawanatu Koroma: I wanted to become a teacher because I love helping children learn.

Ibrahim Kamara: How long have you been teaching?

Hawanatu Koroma: I have been teaching for five years.

Ibrahim Kamara: What grade do you teach?

Hawanatu Koroma: I teach nursery school pupils.

Ibrahim Kamara: What is your favorite subject to teach?

Hawanatu Koroma: At the kindergarten level, I especially enjoy teaching Nature Talk.

Ibrahim Kamara: What is your biggest challenge as a teacher?

Hawanatu Koroma: My biggest challenge is managing a large classroom with limited learning materials.

Ibrahim Kamara: What is your biggest joy as a teacher?

Hawanatu Koroma: My biggest joy is seeing my pupils learn and succeed.

Ibrahim Kamara: How do you handle behavior problems in the classroom?

Hawanatu Koroma: I handle behavior problems by talking calmly to pupils and guiding them to behave well.

Ibrahim Kamara: What is something you have learned from your experience in the classroom?

Hawanatu Koroma: I have learned that every child learns differently and needs patience and encouragement.

Ibrahim Kamara: What do you think is the most important thing you can do for your students?

Hawanatu Koroma: The most important thing I can do for my students is to help them gain knowledge and confidence.

Ibrahim Kamara: What advice would you give to new teachers?

Hawanatu Koroma: My advice for new teachers is to be patient, prepared, and caring toward all pupils.

Teachers like Hawanatu Koroma are at the heart of Empowering Schools. Through patience, compassion, and determination, they continue to help children succeed despite the many hardships their communities face every day.