Child Sponsorship

In many poor communities across Kailahun District, children who are smart and eager to learn often can’t go far in school because their families do not have enough money, and there aren’t enough learning materials or support. Without help, these children may lose hope and stay trapped in poverty. Sembo Kamara’s story shows what many children in Kailahun District face—having big dreams but little chance to achieve them because their families can’t afford their education.

When Kamara, 26, was enrolled in ChildFund’s sponsorship program through its local partner, Ndomakeh Federation, in 2008 in Kailahun District, he saw it as just a way to get through school. “I thought it was a joke,” he recalls. However, sponsorship turned out to be life-changing.

ChildFund supported Sembo throughout his primary and secondary education, easing the financial burden on his family. “I never saw my parents worry about my schooling,” he says. His sponsor, Theressa Rosco, became a motherly figure, even giving him a bicycle that ensured he was never late for school.

After completing secondary school in 2014, Sembo returned to his community as a ChildFund volunteer, giving back in the same way he had once been helped. “I was happy to support others just as I had been supported,” he reflects. This experience deepened his sense of gratitude and purpose.

Determined to further his education, he earned a Higher Teacher Certificate in 2017 and later graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2022 from Eastern Technical University, Sierra Leone. Today, Sembo is an Associate Teacher at Ahmadiyya Secondary School in Daru, where he leads the Commercial Studies department and supervises teachers. He is also the school’s examination officer.

“My favorite part of the job is ensuring quality teaching and motivating students to aim higher,” he says. Looking back, Sembo sees his journey as ‘proof of the power of sponsorship’. “It was a dream come true. Now I truly understand what ChildFund sponsorship means and how far it can take you. I am proud I didn’t disappoint my sponsor or the ChildFund team.