Daries Salaam COG Primary School
The Daries Salaam COG Primary School began with a single building housing 150 students in a single room to reduce the burden of school children walking long distances to school. The current building now has four classrooms and an office for staff and the headteacher. They currently have 159 girls and 170 boys attending.
St. Charles Primary School
Background on Sierra Leone:The population includes many tribes including Mende and TemneThe capital of Freetown was formed by freed British slaves in the early 1800’sSierra Leone was a British Colony from the 1800s until 1961Extraction of minerals and wealth continues to this day, leaving the country in poverty1992-2002: Devastating Civil War followed by years of peace (ongoing)2014-2015: Ebola Outbreak with over 4,000 deaths and the loss of 10% of health care workersA democracy with a president and a parliament Demographics of Sierra Leone:Population: 8 MillionAverage age: 18Literacy: 35% for women; 51% for menHuman Development index:182 out of 189 countries3 doctors per 100,000 peopleLife expectancy: 55Maternal Mortality: 1 in 31 women, but improvingChild Mortality: 1 in 9 do not reach age 5Lembema is a village located three miles from Tikonko town and serves as the divisional head for approximately six surrounding villages. It is also one of our implementing partners, RHCI’s outreach clinic points. The village has a population of about 680 people, with the majority being youth and children. Most residents are subsistence farmers, primarily growing crops for personal consumption.
St. George RC Primary School
Saint George RC Primary School began humbly in 1974, established by the Catholic Mission to serve children who previously had no access to nearby education. At the time, pupils from surrounding communities were forced to walk long distances to attend school. The school opened with just 50 pupils—35 boys and 15 girls—and two dedicated staff members, operating out of a dilapidated structure with no sanitation facilities. Pupils relied on nearby community latrines, yet families still embraced the opportunity for their children to learn closer to home.Over time, the school grew steadily as more families enrolled their children, recognizing the value of accessible education. What began as a small and struggling institution has become one of the most respected primary schools in Lokomasama Chiefdom, known for producing strong academic results. Pupils from Saint George consistently perform well on the National Primary School Examination (NPSE), drawing even more parents to the school.Today, Saint George serves 355 pupils—176 boys and 179 girls—from seven surrounding communities. The school now has two main buildings and two latrine blocks with six drop holes, supported by four staff members. Despite this progress, the school continues to face growing pressure as enrollment increases, highlighting the ongoing need for improved facilities to support its expanding student population.