SIERRA LEONE - KLDEC
About the School
School name: KLDEC
Country: Sierra Leone
Language: English
Number of Students: 35
Age of students: 5-16
Address: Gbalahun Kailahun District
School Activities
Activity: Water Well Repair and Maintenance: The primary undertaking involved assessing, repairing, and maintaining the school's water well. This included acquiring necessary repair materials and employing skilled labor for restoration. Distribution of Learning Materials: Procurement and distribution of essential learning materials such as exercise books, pens, geometry sets, and other stationery items for the identified 35 vulnerable students. Monitoring and Evaluation: Continuous monitoring of the repaired water well's functionality and gathering feedback on the impact of distributed learning materials among the students.
Implementation of activities at the school:
The implementation of the Swarovski Waterschool Global Grants Initiative at KLDEC Gbalahun was a transformative journey that addressed critical needs within the school and the broader community. The project focused on two primary objectives: revitalizing a non-functional water well and providing essential learning materials to underprivileged students.
The project commenced with the identification of the broken water well, which had ceased to provide water for several months, affecting both the school and the surrounding community. Through concerted efforts and the support of the grant, the water well underwent comprehensive repairs, restoring access to clean water for over 600 students and 8 teachers. This restoration not only eased the daily lives of those within the school premises but also extended its impact to benefit more than 1000 community members who gained access to clean water through the school's facility.
Simultaneously, the project addressed the educational needs of vulnerable students by providing 35 children with essential learning materials. These resources, including exercise books, pens, geometry sets, and more, empowered the students, fostering a conducive learning environment and igniting their enthusiasm for education.
However, amidst the achievements lay challenges primarily related to budget constraints. While the project significantly enhanced the water well's functionality and provided essential learning materials, certain aspects such as aesthetic improvements and maintenance tasks remained pending due to resource limitations. The demand for learning materials also surpassed the allocated budget, emphasizing the persistent need for sustained financial support to cater to the educational needs of these children.
The success stories from individual students, such as Abdul and Fatmata, showcase the tangible impact of the project. These children, once faced with obstacles, are now enthusiastic learners, their aspirations fueled by access to clean water and educational resources.
In essence, the project's implementation led to tangible improvements in the school's infrastructure, positively impacting the lives of students, teachers, and the larger community. While celebrating the achieved milestones, the project highlights the ongoing need for continued support to sustain and expand these impactful initiatives for a brighter future for these deserving children.
Other interesting facts about the school:
KLDEC is located in most vulnerable and rural community in the far east of Sierra Leone with a population around 250 kids who come from over five catchment communities to receive learning on daily basic. Due to the location of this school, the availability of public services such as good water and sanitation facilities are totally lacking. Children suffer on daily basis for water to keep them clean and healthy. For children to even get water to even get drink, they have to walk over 3KM . Dur to water scarcity, children in this school used defecate in the bush around the school building, which is more dangerous for their health. It is therefore necessary for this grant to be awarded to this school so that it can help transform the situations of the kids in this school and the communities as well.
Messages from the ground
Maya Momoh:
"Having my own books feels like a dream. I study more, and it's easier to understand everything!"
Fatmata Bangura:
"I felt invisible before, but with these books, I feel like a real student. I can't wait to learn more!"
PARTNERSHIP
IMPLEMENTED BY
Community Action for Sustainable Development Sierra Leone