www.educationwestafrica.org.uk

Vicky Smith, Trustee

Sun, 20 Oct 2024 19:57:10 +0100

A few years ago, I went on my first mission trip to Africa and it was an eye-opening and transformational experience. A couple of years later I was able to join a team from a church in Singapore on a mission trip to India. It was here that I began to appreciate the vital and important change that small charities make to the lives of others.

I started work at St Mary’s School, which I knew had a long association with EWA especially with its link school in Kenema. It was humbling to see the impact that EWA has on the lives of so many children, so I asked if I could join the team of trustees.

My whole working career has been centred around education, and it is a privilege to see the impact education has on the lives of so many young people, both in the UK and abroad.

Sue Bingham, Trustee

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 17:49:52 +0000

Hello there! I have worked in various educational settings, including fifteen years teaching in primary schools. I now work at Arundel Church of England Primary School in the role of Public Relations and Communications Manager. The school, although small, has a very big heart and works hard to follow its vision - part of which encourages us all to reach out to our neighbours in love. We reach out to support the work of EWA. ACE pupils annually raise funds for children in Sierra Leone. Some undertake projects out of school, some run events at school. It is great to see the ACE core values of faith, hope and love put into action.

Mo Shilliday, Associate

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 13:12:01 +0100

I was a Headteacher in West Sussex for ten years, and during that time had the privilege of accompanying Penelope and Rod on one of their visits to Sierra Leone. We visited several schools during the time I was there, but the highlight was definitely visiting my own sister school at Koiva. The whole village turned out to greet us, and the children's welcome was just amazing. That experience has remained with me ever since.

I am now retired, and living back in Northern Ireland, hence it is a real honour to be able to remain connected with EWA, and support the vital work they undertake to provide better education for the children of Sierra Leone.

Martin Lloyd, Trustee

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 08:42:21 +0100

After retiring as the Assistant Director of Education for the Diocese of Chichester and the Interim CEO of the Diocese of Chichester Academy Trust, I was delighted to be asked to become a trustee of Education West Africa. I had the privilege as a diocesan officer of visiting Sierra Leone twice and seeing for myself many of the Anglican primary and secondary schools in the Dioceses of Bo and Freetown. I was impressed by the way in which education is so highly valued by all communities in Sierra Leone and the incredible welcome that I received as a visitor wherever I went in both the urban and rural areas.

Although the schools face significant challenges, the work that Education West Africa has been doing in partnership with the two Anglican dioceses has made a real difference to the quality of education provided for many children and young people in Sierra Leone. Working in Diocesan Church House, Hove for nearly sixteen years, I was also fortunate to be able to meet bishops and other visitors from the dioceses across West Africa which are partnered with the Diocese of Chichester; I have always valued the opportunities we have when we can share with others what we have in common and celebrate the differences.

Amanda Healey, Trustee and Treasurer

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 08:41:21 +0100

I was a headteacher in Brighton for 19 years, and after hearing other headteachers speak about their schools' links with Sierra Leone, I asked if my school could become involved. We set up a link with Nyandeyama, a new school on the outskirts of Kenema, and worked with EWA to raise the funds to help them move from temporary accommodation in a local house to a new school building. I was then asked to become a Trustee of EWA.

I have visited Sierra Leone three times to see the work being done by EWA, including the work of local carpenters and tailors providing desks and uniforms for the schools. I was inspired by the commitment of the teachers to improve their country through educating the children, and the eagerness of the children to learn.

The EWA projects not only provide uniforms and desks for the children, but also employment for local people, and EWA's careful checks make sure that every bit of money raised is used effectively. EWA is a very practical organisation, and its work really makes a difference, so I feel honoured to be a trustee.

Alyson Heath, Chair of Trustees

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 08:41:06 +0100

Having been a Head teacher in West Sussex schools for sixteen years, I retired in 2015.

Whilst at my last school we forged strong links with Kenema School in Sierra Leone. Pupils from both schools regularly exchange letters. However it was not until a member of staff visited Kenema school and came back and told us all a bit more of these children’s life experiences that as a school we realised we could give so much more.

One photograph that will always stay with me was a child longingly looking into a classroom from the outside, so keen to attend school but their parents unable to afford to pay for a uniform.

It is an honour to play a small part in the work of EWA to enable more children to have an enriched educational life.

Rod Sharman, Trustee and former Treasurer

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 08:40:50 +0100

Rod has been involved in education for many years. During this time he has been a teacher, a head and an inspector. He spent many years inspecting schools and was also a school governor. He has a lifetime interest in ensuring that children have equality of access to education.

Penelope Sharman, Honorary Life President

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 08:40:33 +0100

I once told the village folk in Koiva, Sierra Leone, that ‘I have been going to school since I was three and now I am over 70!' This, at that time, was part of a national promotion to keep girls in school.

Yes, I have been in education all my life, pupil, teacher, headteacher and inspector.

The reason being that I love children and want the best for them.

On my first visit to Sierra Leone, accompanying a group of teachers visiting their link schools, I realised that there was a lot of work to be done. This was just after the rebel war had ended.

I continued to take teachers from the UK, but after talking with headteachers in schools in Sierra Leone I realised that there was a lot more to be done – hence ‘Education West Africa’.

We are working in Sierra Leone as it is in the most need in West Africa. We now have four projects on the go, one to provide furniture for classrooms, two to provide uniforms so that more children can attend school, three to facilitate improved teacher training through financing conferences and four to provide a printing press so schools can print their own exercise books. We also help repair school buildings where the need is urgent.

Hannah Turner, Trustee

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 15:10:06 +0100

I am Senior Teacher at St Mary’s C of E (Aided) Primary School, Pulborough and became a trustee of Education West Africa in 2019. The children throughout our school have shown great interest in their learning about Sierra Leone and have been keen to support the work of Education West Africa.

It was a privilege to have the opportunity to visit Sierra Leone for the first time in February 2024. This was an inspirational and memorable visit, providing us with a clear picture of the schools most in need and the support that is required. Despite the many challenges faced, the children that we met were cheerful, enthusiastic and showed real pride in their learning as they spoke to us.

Prior to my visit, the children at St Mary’s wrote letters and made gifts for me to deliver to our link school, SLC Kenema, Lower School. We have approached our fundraising with refreshed determination since my visit and look forward to continuing to support EWA with their future projects.