Jimiyke enjoying his food during his UK visit Many of EducAid’s long term supporters will remember Abu Bakarr Koroma (alias Jimiyke).  Jimiyke was kidnapped and taken to fight in the war as a child.  Although so many other youngsters in a similar position fail to emerge from the margins of society, Jimiyke got himself into…

This Saturday saw 20 students and teachers attending the village bicycle project workshop here in Rolal at the teacher training centre.  Its been really great working in partnership with the Village Bicycle Project which aims to Bring discounted bikes to regions where bikes have been infrequently used Offer bicycle riding and repair workshops to communities…

And another one….. Alieu Moinina has just been informed that he too is due to be a recipient of a Moroccan scholarship. Alieu has been with EducAid for his senior secondary education and despite some considerable health issues, he performed excellently in the public exams. It is great to know that Alpha and Alieu will…

Alpha Bangura (generally known as Archimedes!) has been awarded a scholarship to go to Morocco to study engineering after an initial year of French. Alpha comes from a small and very poor village near the Magbeni school and did his entire secondary schooling with EducAid.  He and his brothers are the first in the family…

Retired UK teachers, Pat Horn and John Young just got back from a three week visit to EducAid.  They spent most of a week each in three sites and lived the whole experience to the full.   I am sure they will be making the most of their home comforts now after weeks of grass…

With great regret, EducAid has excluded a group of students from its school at Rogbere after discovering that they cheated in last summer’s public exams. This has been a very difficult and distressing time for our students, staff and trustees, as it marks the first time that any cheating has been discovered in EducAid’s 12…

Matt’s biology booklets in action – the kids love them Matthew Herridge, Biochemistry graduate, volunteered with EducAid last year in the spring term with his friend Harry.  He was village doctor, class 4 teacher and Biology tutor.  On his return to the UK, he continued his work on the Biology materials rewrite.  With retired British…

Quick munch while resting on the ferry  Not quite sure what Alex did to deserve that! One excited small person having finished his 17 miles on the last day A fair bit of pain and some very sore muscles later, the EducAid team were very pleased to say that they did it!!!! 240 miles in…

The Rogbere school has a new leader and he is really getting into his step. Raymond Koker has worked with EducAid for over six years as part of the Magbeni team.  The combination of the training AA Kamara has given him and a natural enthusiasm and commitment to his work are bringing wonderful benefits to…

Sixth Former swims Windermere in preparation for English Channel challenge By webmaster | Published: Wednesday 26th September 2012 Sixth Form pupil Rachel Lord competed in the Great North Swim and raised £200 for school charity EducAid recently, and has already set her sights on another challenge – the English Channel. Rachel managed to swim the mile on Lake Windermere…

Lumley staff on debate skills training Staff from both Senior Secondary Schools (Lumley and Rolal) are continuing to upgrade the quality of their teaching.  They spent the whole of last weekend doing critical thinking and debating skills training.  Research has indicated that improved debate skills have a significant impact on young people’s thinking and learning.…

One of the activities that is unique in Sierra Leone to EducAid’s schools is the Community Service.  All secondary students undertake a two week period of community service each year.  They go into schools and hospitals around their area and often serve too in our own primary school in Maronka. It is an opportunity for…

As the EducAid public exam results started coming in, the kids could not contain themselves.  I was summonsed to get myself up to the Lumley school as quickly as I could from a meeting and was mobbed on arrival! Sadly, it would seem that across other schools the results have been disappointing once again but…

A few months ago, EducAid was approached by Harvard University’s Katrina Hann and her team.  They wanted to see if we would partner with them in a significant study on clinical psychology interventions with young people affected by trauma.  Teresa Betancourt, who leads the team is a world-renowned psychologist and researcher and we are excited…

Abdul Noah Mansaray was the youngest ever EducAid student to finish his secondary studies when 4 years ago he sat his West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE).   Emile Carr, longstanding friend of EducAid, has sponsored Abdul Noah through his tertiary studies and is enthusiastic about his progress.  It is great to see how wonderfully…

Ann conducting family literacy classes in Maronka. Ann Beatty, long term supporter and volunteer with EducAid is helping ensure we participate in the Olympic fever at least a little bit. Nominated for her generous work with EducAid and in particular for setting up the Girls’ Safe House in Maronka, instead of pursuing her original plan…

Balla playing football for his university. A year or so ago, Balla Turay, EducAid past pupil, took up his scholarship to study ICT in Venezuela and has clearly been making his (and our) name since.  I was touched to receive this mail today: Hi Miriam, Attached are my grades for this semester which ended on…

So often the development world seems to be very disempowering because the money and therefore the agendas and goals are driven and dictated by foreigners. True sustainable development must surely step away from this dependence. This is why we so strongly believe in education as a tool for real development. With a thinking education, nobody…

Hope and development on the one hand versus poverty and death on the other! Osman Kamara, student of Magbeni, died yesterday.  A bright young mind who was to join the exam class next year, he died on Saturday probably of malaria although no-one really knows exactly. It has been over a year since we last…

Essential skills acquisition. Talking it through together with the Maronka kids. Anyone for a wash? Neesha and Kate have been getting stuck in to life in Maronka but have also enjoyed their friendships with the young teachers they have been working alongside. One thing that has struck them has been the differences between their own…