Orange Foundation Sierra Leone has launched its annual back-to-school initiative, targeting 2,000 vulnerable pupils in selected schools across Freetown as part of efforts to promote inclusive education and reduce barriers to learning.
The programme was officially flagged off on Jan. 16 at the Police Primary School in Kingtom, where 150 disadvantaged pupils received learning materials aimed at supporting their academic progress and encouraging school attendance.
Each pupil was presented with an Orange Foundation-branded school bag containing exercise books, mathematical sets, pens, and pencils. The initiative is designed to ease the financial burden on low-income families while improving access to essential educational resources.
Speaking at the launch, Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Madam Aicha Toure, described education as a powerful tool for transformation, particularly for vulnerable children. She said the initiative was intended to inspire pupils, enhance learning outcomes, and reinforce the importance of regular school attendance.
Madam Toure noted that the donation represented more than the distribution of school materials, describing it as a long-term commitment to the children and communities supported by the foundation. Reflecting on the role education played in shaping her own family’s future, she reaffirmed Orange Foundation’s resolve to ensure that no child is denied opportunity because of socio-economic challenges.
She commended parents, teachers, community leaders, and partners for their continued support and urged the beneficiaries to return to school with confidence, determination, and hope, reminding them that they are the future of Sierra Leone.
Declaring the purpose of the event, the Director of Orange Foundation Sierra Leone, Madam Annie Wunie Katta, said the initiative went beyond charity, reaffirming the foundation’s sustained commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable children nationwide. She explained that the programme aligns with the government’s human capital development agenda and reflects the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to learn and succeed, regardless of background.
Madam Katta identified education as a core pillar of the foundation’s work, alongside health and culture. She disclosed that through digital school kits and targeted interventions, the foundation has supported over 30,000 pupils across Sierra Leone, with more than 35,000 children benefiting from similar programmes in 16 African countries. This year alone, she said, 2,000 children in Sierra Leone will benefit, including 150 pupils at the Kingtom Police Barracks Primary School.
Describing the learning materials as “tools of hope,” Madam Katta stressed that the initiative is aimed at reducing educational inequality and strengthening partnerships to ensure that no child is left behind.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Mr. Conrad Sackey, said Sierra Leone is at a critical juncture where decisions must be made to either bring children back to school or risk leaving them behind. He described the initiative as a timely intervention that reflects hope, shared responsibility, and decisive action.
The minister noted that the challenges facing children require collective effort from government, the private sector, families, communities, and development partners. He praised Orange Sierra Leone and Orange Foundation Sierra Leone for reinforcing the principle that education is a right, not a privilege, and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to promoting access, equity, and quality education for all children.
