A HUGE THANK YOU FROM ALL THE CHILDREN AT WATERLOO SCHOOLS

Hello and welcome to the Early Spring Issue of the Waterloo Schools Charity Newsletter. We are writing to thank you for your wonderful support of the students during what have been a difficult last twelve months. Despite the cost of living crisis, you, our supporters, have continued to show huge generosity and kindness. Thank you.

The cost of living crisis has affected Sierra Leone badly and the price of commodities has and continues to rise rapidly. A 25 kg bag of rice has almost doubled in cost in the last year from Sierra Leonean Leones 275 to SLL 400. As a result of your funds we have bought and supplied rice, cooking oil and condiments to support the school community through this crisis and provide lunch subsidies. A child cannot learn if he or she is hungry and the parents were increasingly unable to afford to fill a lunch box for their children. Through your support we have been able to assist families who are struggling.

Ongoing Projects:

A pump which was installed in an existing well has since broken down and we are urgently looking into funding the cost of repair. Access to fresh and clean water is one of our key priorities.

We are pleased to report that the toilet block in the Zoe Carrs Nursery School has been completed. We have supplied teaching and learning materials and second hand toys for the children to play with at school. We now need to focus on construction of a playground at the nursery – so important for the development of the younger children.

The provision of classroom furniture and the painting of buildings and general maintenance in the unforgiving climate of Sierra Leone always need the charity’s attention. Your continued support, therefore, is vital.

Shortly before Christmas we sent a financial contribution to help the teachers provide a special Christmas lunch for the Nursery School children who had been traumatised during the short State of Emergency which occurred in Sierra Leone in November. It was felt that a party would help to raise their spirits.

Some photos of children and parents enjoying the Christmas lunch and party

Dr Laurie Read Bursaries

We are so proud of all our Bursary students who continue to do so well in their studies. These students are either awaiting their results or taking their final exams:

- Zainab M Kallon , BSc Business Administration and Management at Njala University College
- Florence P A Aligie, Certificate in Human Resource Management at University of Makeni
- Lyndon B Parsons, Diploma in Mass Communication at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone

Here is a message of thanks and appreciation from Zainab Kamara, who has just graduated with a BSc in Nursing from Njala University College. We are so happy and so proud of her and wish her well in her future career.

Good afternoon sir, I want to reach out wonderful news regarding my final score in university.

I am absolutely delighted to share that I have received my final grades for my degree, and I have achieved remarkable results. I could not be more thrilled to inform you that I have obtained second class .This accomplishment fills me with immense pride and joy, and I am grateful for the opportunities that have led me to this point.

I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to you and the entire charity for the unwavering support and encouragement throughout my educational journey. The financial assistance, mentorship, and guidance I have received from your organization have been instrumental in my success at the university level. Your belief in my potential and your commitment to supporting students like me have truly made a significant impact on my life.

I would also like to extend my appreciation to the donors and volunteers who contribute to our charity. Your dedication and generosity have allowed me and many others to pursue higher education and achieve our dreams. The impact of your support goes beyond the financial aspect; it has instilled in me a sense of hope, motivation, and gratitude that will remain with me throughout my life.

As I embark on this new chapter in my life, I am determined to utilize the knowledge and skills that I have acquired to make a positive difference in the world. I am eager to contribute back to our charity in any way possible, to help other deserving students achieve their academic goals, just as I have been supported.

Once again, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your continuous support and belief in my abilities. Your commitment to education and your dedication to helping students in need has had a profound impact on my life, and I am grateful beyond words.

Thank you for being an invaluable part of my journey. I look forward to staying connected and updating you on my future endeavours.

We would also like to congratulate Simeon Turey who graduated with Bachelor Degree with Honours in Electrical Engineering and Kadiyatta Bangura, who graduated with a Higher Diploma in Community Health and Clinical Sciences. She has been admitted to pursue a programme of study leading to a BSc with Honours in Nursing.

Donations

St. Nicholas’s Church in Dormston held a service of thanksgiving for the charity and children of Waterloo Schools. It was a very happy day and the congregation donated a very generous sum of £320 to the charity.

More good news – We held another Quiz & Fish n’Chip Supper which was very well supported by the local community in Dormston and Inkberrow – an outstanding £800 was raised. Huge thanks go to our superb Quiz Master and Trustee, Neil Morland, for providing an evening of much enjoyment and fun. We would like to send our sincere thanks to everyone who came along and supported the evening so generously.

By popular demand, we are hoping to hold another quiz evening in May/June and will send out details in due course.

It is also important to mention our Standing Order Donors, who over the years have given and continue to give to the children so generously. Without their donations coming in regularly we would not be able to plan for projects. If anyone reading this newsletter would like to become a regular donor please click on the donations box below. Thank you so much for your support.

Ways to donate »

Finally, may we also take this opportunity to thank Kenneth Kromanty, who has personally experienced a very difficult year with the sad loss of his wife. Despite everything, Kenneth has continued to work relentlessly as a Trustee for the Charity. We would also like to thank our other Trustee in Sierra Leone, Morlai Kamara, for his worthy contribution and all the good people who assist and drive through the projects in Waterloo – namely Christiana Aligie, Mabel Sawyerr and Augustine Moiba.

We wish you all good health and happiness in 2024

The Trustees of Waterloo Schools Charity

Mission Statement

Founded in 2005, the Waterloo Schools Charity has done a great deal with your help to achieve its stated aim and vision:

To advance the education of children in Waterloo, Sierra Leone, particularly but not exclusively those attending Waterloo Primary School and the Peninsula Secondary School, by the provision of financial assistance, equipment support and such other facilities as the trustees shall from time to time in their absolute discretion determine.