Child Protection

Many rural schools in Sierra Leone are in dire condition, with crumbling infrastructure posing serious risks to students. One often overlooked issue is the poor seating arrangements. Much of the furniture is old and broken, as was the case at Iye’s school in Kailahun District. For months, the unsafe environment affected students’ health and ability to learn.

 In Iye’s school, furniture had deteriorated so badly that help only came after everything was vandalized. “I sat on the floor many times during lessons,” Iye recalls. “I felt ashamed going home with dirty uniforms, and washing them every day took time away from my studies.” With her family unable to afford another uniform, this daily burden added to her challenges. Iye’s experience isn’t unique. Her friend, Baindu, also struggled. “We were unhappy with the condition of our school, but we had no choice but to adapt,” she says.

When ChildFund intervened, everything changed. The school was transformed, creating a clean and safe environment for learning. Headteacher Senesie Momoh was well aware of the students’ plight but had no means to address it. “Our school was falling apart,” Momoh explains. “We had to teach in dusty classrooms, with too few desks. Four to five students would share one desk, and many stood or sat on the floor. It was unbearable.”

In Sierra Leone, school hours are long, with students expected to cover multiple subjects a day. Without proper desks and chairs, students like Iye often found themselves heading home during lunch and not returning. “My back would ache from sitting on the floor for hours,” Iye says. “Where we sit matters—it affects how well we learn.” For Iye, her new desk is more than just a piece of furniture. It represents hope, dreams, and the ability to focus on her studies. She aspires to become a lawyer and fight for justice in her community, especially for women and girls. 

“After ChildFund’s intervention, our school is a completely different place,” says Iye’s headteacher. “The classrooms are paved, the building has been repaired, and we’ve been provided with furniture, books, and teaching materials.” For Iye, the new seating has made all the difference. “I can’t describe how happy I am with these new desks and chairs. I no longer have backaches, and I’m ready for my exams in May 2024.” 

ChildFund, along with its local partner, has been working in Kailahun since 2005, supporting education, health, sanitation, and child protection. Iye recently scored 275 on her exams, allowing her to advance to junior high school. “I am so happy I made it,” she says. Transitioning to secondary school is a journey filled with challenges, but for girls like Iye, it represents the potential for a brighter future. In FY24, ChildFund provided 1,090 sets of chairs and desks to schools nationwide, improving the overall learning environment for children.