By: Sallu Kamuskay
Make Impact Sierra Leone, founded by a group of Dutch volunteers who visited Sierra Leone, today toured George Brook and Kroo Bay communities. They are partnering with We Yone Child Foundation and other organizations to build schools, skills training centers, and a vocational institution for underprivileged children in the Kroo Bay community.
The visit, led by Santigie Bayo Dumbuya, Programme Director and Founder of We Yone Child Foundation, began at the We Yone Child Secondary School in the George Brook community. Here, the Make Impact Sierra Leone team and its donors met with dozens of pupils and staff from We Yone Child School.
The We Yone Child School, founded in 2009 by We Yone Child Foundation, was the first of four schools established by Santigie’s foundation. Initially, the school only catered to primary pupils. Today, it boasts a primary school, a secondary school, and a technical vocational learning center, making it the only school in the George Brook community and one of the few in Freetown with such advanced facilities.
Speaking at the gathering, Santigie, along with the pupils and staff of We Yone Primary and Secondary schools, expressed immense appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to the donors and Make Impact Sierra Leone team for their critical support in making the school’s construction a reality.
Santigie stated, “Thank you for coming to witness the amazing impact your support has made in empowering children and young people in Sierra Leone.”
Gerrit vd Noort, a member of the Make Impact Sierra Leone team, shared with Salone Messenger that their commitment stemmed from seeing a need to support young people in Sierra Leone. This inspired their collaboration with We Yone Child Foundation to help children in George Brook and Kroo Bay communities.
“It’s a great good for all children, wherever they are, to be able to access education,” Gerrit remarked. He acknowledged the challenges faced in projects like these but emphasized the positive energy and opportunities present at the school.
Presenting the gifts to Stichting Channah, Hendrik Jan Groeneveld and Familie Kool, Santigie Bayo Dumbuya expressed his appreciation to team for their invaluable support.
The appreciation ceremony concluded with a vibrant and educational drama performance by the pupils, followed by a tour of the classrooms, which are equipped with modern computers and comfortable furniture.
Make Impact Sierra Leone is a group of Dutch volunteers dedicated to supporting children and young people in Sierra Leone.