Early Childhood Development

In remote and underserved areas like Kailahun District, access to quality early childhood education and opportunities for adult capacity building remain limited. Many capable community members, eager to uplift their communities, lack the training, resources, and institutional support needed to advance. Without focused support for schools and for building people’s skills, it’s hard for families to improve their lives over time, and the community grows slowly.
“When Ndomakeh Federation first began operations in Kailahun District, I was among their first points of contact,” recalls Gibson with a reflective smile. Back in 2017, his journey with ChildFund began humbly, as a community volunteer supporting sponsorship activities. Little did he know this first step would spark a transformational journey for both him and his family.

From Volunteer to Teacher

As Ndomakeh Federation, a local partner of ChildFund, deepened its roots in the district, so did Gibson’s involvement. Recognizing his dedication, the Federation sponsored him to pursue a Teacher’s Certificate (TC) at Eastern Technical University in Kenema. “That opportunity opened doors for me,” Gibson says. “It built my confidence and gave me a reason to keep pushing.”
His dedication did not go unnoticed. Gibson was elected Assistant Secretary and later Secretary of the Federation Board, where he helped shape decisions impacting thousands of children.

But for Gibson, the journey was never just about personal growth. After earning his TC, he returned to his hometown of Daru to give back. “I decided to volunteer as a teacher at the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Center ChildFund built here,” he says proudly.Inspired by his father’s values, Gibson’s son, Vandi, followed closely behind. As a ChildFund-sponsored child, Vandi also started at the Daru ECD center. Today, he is a promising Senior Secondary School student.

“I am a sponsored child in ChildFund’s program. I went on to attend preschool at a ChildFund constructed ECD center,” Vandi explains. “In Kailahun, only few people attended preschool; most people went straight to primary school. But for those of us who attended, you can tell the difference when we interact with our colleagues.”
His story didn’t stop there. In 2023, while still serving as Board Secretary, another opportunity came knocking—a scholarship to pursue a Higher Teacher’s Certificate (HTC). Gibson grabbed the opportunity without hesitation. “I didn’t want to let it slip away. I knew upgrading my skills would help me serve even better.”

Then came the breakthrough. In June 2024, Ndomakeh Federation advertised for a Program Assistant (PA) role. Gibson applied with confidence, bringing years of experience and a deep passion for serving his community. By August, he had the job.Today, Gibson oversees program activities in Mandu and Malema communities in Kailahun District. “I am living proof that when organizations like ChildFund invest in people, entire communities participate,” he reflects.

Scaling Support for Community Volunteers

ChildFund has long collaborated with community volunteers to improve children’s lives. Many of these volunteers, particularly untrained community teachers, often lack formal education and professional support. To strengthen their capacity, ChildFund supported 10 university-ready youth from Kailahun District in 2024 with tuition for studies at Njala University, Eastern Technical University, the Institute of Public Administration and Management, and Fourah Bay College.
In the same year, an additional 25 youth,including some volunteers from Koinadugu District received support for higher education at Ernest Bai Koroma University in Bombali and Port Loko Teachers College.