Sierra Leone

Basic Information

• Assisting: 4,055 girls at the primary level
• Target areas of assistance: Kailahun, Kenema, Koinadugu, Kono, Port Loko, and Bombali Districts
• Partners: Christian Extension Service (CES) in Koinadugu; Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Port Loko, Forum for African Women Educationalists-Sierra Leone (FAWESL) in Kailahun and Kenema; Community Empowerment for Rural Development (CEFORD) in Bombali; and Network Movement for Justice; and Development (NMJD) in Kono
• School year calendar: September - July

Program Overview

Selection Process

Scholars are selected through a transparent process which increases accountability and inclusiveness. The girls are chosen by selection committees at the local level (mainly at the chiefdom level in each district) made up of head teachers, district paramount chief and/or village chief, women's leader, youth leader, representatives from the Ministry of Education and/or Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs, Inspector of schools, religious leaders. The composition differs from district to district with committee membership typically ranging from 6-12 persons. The scholarships are comprised of books, notebooks, pencils, pens, uniforms, bags, shoes, tuition, raincoats, lamps as well as a meal a day.

Mentors

Mentors in Sierra Leone are volunteers who are social workers, development practitioners, teachers, nurses, HIV and AIDS specialists, and counseling officers. Mentors, for the most part, have been recruited by our NGO partners to work with AGSP scholars and other students. The mentors have been actively monitoring the girls' academic work, they organize home visits, and help organize and supervise study groups both at the school and in the girls' homes. Mentors also work with the NGOs to conduct HIV awareness programs and discussions for the students, as well as talks on other health issues, child rights and leadership training for communities. The mentoring activities in Sierra Leone are designed to build the scholars' self-esteem, improve their academic performance, and provide them with essential life skills.

Program Update

In Year 1, the AGSP in Sierra Leone provided scholarships to 3000 girls in five regions of the country with assistance from an in-country consultant, Marie Jalloh. The AGSP activities in Year 1 were implemented as planned. The program was able to accomplish its Year 1 objectives and the stakeholders began preparing for Year 2 well in advance.

In Year 2, the scholarships were disbursed and the mentoring and community activities were launched with a high level of enthusiasm and participation on the part of the girls and the communities. Our NGO partners were able to increase the targeted number of scholars in Year 2 from 3,000 to 3,420 girls.

In Year 3, the number of scholars was increased to 4,055.