School is back in session in both our Freetown and Newton Village Schools. Students in both locations returned to school September 17th, excited for the 2024-2025 school year, and eager to learn. Each student in Newton Village was given a bag of school supplies they will need for the upcoming school year, including books and pencils.

Students at the Empowering Children School in Freetown wear school uniforms, as do most students in Sierra Leone. We worked with a tailor, and students in Newton Village will be given their uniforms on Monday! This will give them added confidence and enhance their learning experience.

A few days prior to the first day of school Ibrahim Kamara, met with parents at the Newton Village School. A meeting will be held with parents in Freetown on Monday. These meetings are held at the beginning of every school year, where parents, teachers, and administration come together to discuss issues, challenges, and expectations from everyone in the community. The calendar and school activities for the upcoming year is shared. It’s an essential opportunity for open communication and collaboration to ensure the success and well-being of our students and the school community.

Parents are very supportive and grateful for the opportunity their child are receiving. Prior to SHARP founding a school in this remote village, these children had never been to school due to the lack of transportation and distance to the closest school. Without SHARP, most of the children in both schools would be unable to obtain an education.

Also, beginning school on September 17th are the recent graduates from Empowering Children School in Freetown. All 33 of our 6th graders who took the national exam passed, and were able to go on to 7th grade! In Sierra Leone you must pass the national exam in order to go on to secondary school. Of the 33 students who took the exam, 28 scored high enough to get into their first choice of school. These students and their dedicated teacher, Lamin Bagura, spent spring break studying for the exam. Students from Empowering Children School consistently score high on the exam.

Lamin Bagura with his 6th grade class, who took the exam

For students in both schools, we are so excited to see you kick off another amazing school year, united in learning, growth, and success! We know you will achieve great things as you explore together and support each other!