As is common throughout all national schools, students are required to pay school fees, buy school uniforms, and regularly contribute to the purchase of educational materials such as books and paper. This is not how we do things at EducAid. To be a student at one of our schools requires only three things: excellent behaviour; excellent attendance; and, excellent effort. Kabiru Mansaray, an EducAid student, very eloquently describes how disheartening it has been since preparations for his final year exams were interrupted by Ebola.
“Schools in Sierra Leone have been shut for almost a year because of the emergence of the Ebola disease. Education was difficult in Sierra Leone before, but now it is very tough. Ebola has affected all areas in this country, but most especially the educational area.
Many many children have lost their parents. We have issues with women’s education, and those who cannot afford to go to school. I can tell you the situation about education in Sierra Leone because I have gone through the experience of it being difficult. I was a young boy; I used to go out in to the street to do street trading. My mother could not afford to pay the school fees or school materials, but I am hoping to forge ahead with my education up to the University level. I was supposed to take the exam last year only to find that Ebola is in the country, and the government decided to postpone the exams. It was a bit discouraging for me after working very hard, and my exam has been postponed for a very long time; but currently I thank God for my current state because at this school we do not have to pay fees, but there are others that are not as fortunate as us.”
At EducAid, we actively strive against a culture of expectation and dependency. Our students know just how fortunate they are that we have such a generous and loyal community in the UK, and around the world, who contribute towards their education. Kabiru recognises this, and shows such empathy to those who are not able to return to school. He makes us very proud, and gives us the strength to continue doing what we’re doing.
Ebola has been an incredibly tough time for us all at EducAid. Kabiru is a shining example of how we can transform lives with our teaching methods, please consider helping us to get Sierra Leone back on the right path.
This video shows how important EducAid’s method of schooling is. Not only do we foster a genuine social responsibility in our students, we also provide them with top-quality education at a price that everyone can afford. Because we are an independent school, we are able to encourage those girls who may have become pregnant during their time away from school to return to us. Rather than allowing Ebola to destroy yet another life, we can give these young girls an opportunity to succeed.
Education is the key to success in Sierra Leone: more than just key skills, we teach a practical syllabus of equality and humanity – the most important lesson of all.
£15 will send a student to EducAid for a whole month – that’s a pizza and a bottle of wine for us, but one step towards a livelihood for them. Please give generously; we need your help more now than ever. Donate Here.