Ebola

During the Ebola outbreak, we sent funds to Bo and Freetown which were used to provide hygiene equipment such as chlorine, buckets and sanitisers for the schools, and rice to be distributed to needy pupils. Our local contacts distributed these and reported back to us. Several headteachers contacted EWA to express their thanks.

Freetown flooding

Several schools in Freetown were badly damaged by floods and mudslides in 2017.

At Annie Walsh school, the whole ground floor of the main building had about two feet of water when they arrived in school on the Monday after the floods. Small steps have been built to avoid more flood damage in the future.

At Bishop Crowther school, a large cotton tree fell on the toilets and passageway.

At Bishop Johnson school, floodwater caused the pipes to break.

EWA provided funds to enable these schools to carry out essential repairs, so that the children’s education could continue without hindrance.

Some examples of schools supported are:

Sembehun Kortuwabu, a village school in Moyamba district, was in such a poor state of repair when Trustees visited in February 2024 that some parents were not sending their children to school. One classroom had a complete wall missing and was therefore unusable. We sent funds to repair one classroom block and add a headteacher's office and store. Work was completed in April 2024.

Bopani school, in a remote village in Pujehun district, was teaching lessons in a thatched hut. EWA provided funds for the construction of a new three classroom building with a zinc roof. The local community helped with the first stages of the building. Education Secretary Alex Puhindei faced many challenges in getting building materials to the villages, with some having to be transported by motorbike. The school was completed in May 2025, and children are now learning in much more comfortable conditions.

The roof at a primary school in Kenema leaked so badly during that rainy season that it disrupted children's learning. After receiving a detailed quote for this work, EWA sent money for a new roof. The children at the school shared classrooms while the work took place so that they did not miss a single day of their education.

Zimmi school, in a remote rural location near the Liberian border, deteriorated so badly during the Ebola outbreak, when all schools were closed for nine months, that the building was close to collapse. EWA sent funds to enable the school to be rebuilt.

Our current project is the construction of a new four classroom building at St Matthias Primary School in Lunsar. This is replacing a building that was in such poor condition that it had to be demolished. Some children are currently being taught in the neighbouring church, in very cramped conditions. Work began in February 2026, when the Bishop of Freetown turned the earth to begin the new building, to the great joy of the children and their community.

The Diocese of Freetown produced a business plan proposal to install a printing press in the grounds of the Bishop’s Court in Freetown. This could be used to print exercise books and learning materials for schools. It could also generate income to cover the ongoing costs of printing exercise books by providing a printing service for businesses in the area.

EWA was fortunate enough to be given funds from a donor to build a room and install a printing press. The foundation stone was laid by Penelope in February 2019, and the room was then completed and the press installed. 

When the Trustees visited in February 2024, the printing press had been moved to a new building in the centre of Freetown. It is now part of the Diocesan Enterprise and Investment Board, and produces school materials and printed materials for churches and the general public. The staff are working hard to make it competitive and attract more business.

Conferences in Bo

In discussion with our colleagues in Sierra Leone, EWA decided that an effective way forward would be to hold training conferences for headteachers and their local Education Secretaries. The first conference took place in March 2016 in the Bo area, and was attended by 67 headteachers. It was the first time that the headteachers had met together, as their schools are scattered across a large and mainly rural area. They had the opportunity to identify issues that were aiding improvement and those that were hindering progress. These issues were followed up at a second conference in 2017, called ‘Leading Improvement’, which had a particular focus on creating a positive atmosphere, codes of conduct, school development plans and success criteria for monitoring progress.

Conferences in Freetown

A conference for headteachers in the Freetown area took place in November 2017, with the theme of ‘Involving Children in Their Learning’. The focus was on developing children’s independence within their learning and developing the pupil voice. It was an opportunity for the head teachers to get together to discuss teaching and learning, which included assessment/marking, effective questioning, different styles of questioning, behaviour, school councils and mission statements. We believe this was the first time that they had collaboratively worked together because of costs and distance.

In February 2019 a conference was held for all the Freetown and provincial headteachers from the west of Sierra Leone, numbering about 30 and focussing on ‘Leading Improvement’, the theme that had already been delivered in Bo. Local education contacts went through the programme in advance and ensured it was tailored to local needs.

These four conferences have enabled the heads to improve the educational opportunities they are giving pupils in their schools.

Next steps: independent planning

A planning conference then took place, also in February 2019, for a group of headteachers from the Freetown and Bo areas chosen to represent different types and sizes of school, with local Education Secretaries. The aim was for the headteachers to plan for future conferences, so that they were taking responsibility for their own development (all previous conferences had been planned and facilitated by EWA). This was a very positive conference, and the heads are now developing their own programme for a conference for heads from across Sierra Leone.

Funding grant

The first conference was funded by EWA, but a generous grant was then received from All Saints Educational Trust which has funded the subsequent conferences.

EWA employs local carpenters to build desks and benches, which are then given to schools. This enables the funds to be used twice: providing employment for the furniture makers and providing desks for the schools. The sustainability of the wood and the quality of the furniture is monitored by associates in Freetown and Bo, and by trustees on their regular visits.

 The cost of a desk set is £26. This provides a desk and bench, seating 3 - 4 children, depending on age.

Contact us if you would like to donate to our School Furniture Project.

EWA’s school uniform project provides funds to pay local tailors to make uniforms for these children. EWA works closely with headteachers who identify children who need the uniforms.

Finances donated to this project go directly to pay for making the uniforms. This creates employment for the local community, and more children can attend school as they have uniforms. The quality of the uniforms is monitored by local associates in Freetown and Bo, and by trustees on their regular visits.

An annual donation of £5 provides a well made uniform for a child, made in their local community.

In February 2024, Trustees visited the Mother's Union Tailoring Training School in Bo, where uniforms for local children will be made.

Contact us if you would like to donate to our School Uniform Project.