Providence International High School and Methodist Girls’ High School (MGHS) emerged as standout winners at the grand finale of Orange Sierra Leone’s #ForGoodConnections School Challenge held June 21. The event, hosted at the training ground along beach road, brought together six schools in a vibrant celebration of learning, sports, and performance, all aimed at promoting safe digital practices among schoolchildren.
The campaign, spearheaded by Orange-SL, focuses on raising awareness about cyberbullying and excessive screen time, particularly among students aged 10 to 15. After weeks of school visits, training, and performances, the initiative culminated in an energetic final showdown of football matches and pantomime skits, reinforcing messages about digital well-being.
In a dramatic boys’ football final, Providence International edged out Bilingual High School 5–4 in a tense penalty shootout, claiming the top prize of NLe15,000. In the girls’ category, MGHS outclassed Bilingual with a 2–0 penalty victory to also take home NLe15,000. Both runners-up received Le5,000 each. According to organisers, all prize money will go towards enhancing academic and extracurricular activities in the respective schools.
Providence International doubled its victory with a win in the pantomime competition, where they creatively dramatized the dangers of cyberbullying and screen addiction. Their performance earned them an additional Le10,000. St. Joseph’s Secondary School finished second in the drama contest, securing Le5,000.
Speaking at the event, Orange Sierra Leone’s Head of Communications, Brand and Sponsorship, Philip Emeh, emphasized the importance of starting early to build awareness around digital safety. “We are targeting children in junior secondary school who are increasingly exposed to smartphones and social media,” he said. “When screen time isn’t managed, it can affect both physical and mental health—and that’s where cyberbullying thrives. We want to equip them with the tools to identify and resist that harm.”
Emeh explained that the campaign went beyond a one-day event. In the lead-up to the final, Orange-SL conducted sensitization sessions in participating schools, using interactive training and performance-based learning. The pantomimes, he said, were not only entertaining but powerful demonstrations of how much the students had learned.
“This drama is not just performance—it’s proof that they’ve internalized the message,” Emeh added. “They’re not only learning for themselves, but becoming ambassadors for safer digital habits among their peers and families.”
Providence student Alice Bangura, glowing with pride after her school’s double win, said the experience was both rewarding and enlightening. “We worked really hard, and it paid off. Our drama showed how too much time online can hurt your life and how cyberbullying makes people suffer,” she said. Her message to fellow teens was clear: “Balance your screen time and speak up if someone is being bullied online. Kindness is power—use it online.”
Providence teacher Alie Dukuray praised the initiative for blending education and entertainment. “This platform didn’t just entertain—it taught lasting lessons about digital safety,” he said. “As teachers, we must continue to build our pupils’ confidence and teach values that extend beyond the classroom.”
Emeh concluded by promising that #ForGoodConnections would return in 2026—bigger, better, and more impactful. “This is not a one-off campaign,” he said. “We’re committed to helping young people grow into responsible digital citizens.”