Projects
- Initially the priority was to refurbish the existing, burned out classrooms and supply desks, chairs and text books for all the children.
- We were then able to build extra classrooms in the nursery and primary schools and fund some "community teachers" and assistants.
- Toilets were installed and clean water provided to all three schools.
- A primary school uniform fund helps needy families.
- In the secondary school 6 year scholarships of £25 per annum are awarded to promising girls and boys as at present only 23% of children go on to secondary level education due to lack of means.
- At the request of parents, school board and local chiefs, the charity has embarked on an ambitious programme to develop a science and technology department. This will enable the secondary school to offer a greater range of more practical subjects. So far a two storey building for science, home economics and computer studies has been built and equipped. Great Barr School in Birmingham has partnered us in this and has supplied IT equipment. There is no mains electricity available so the charity has provided a generator and maintains it, although diesel is very expensive.
Along with our appeal for donations on other projects we continue to need funding to support the Schools. At Waterloo Schools Charity we strongly believe education is the key for a better and brighter future for the children of Sierra Lone. Please donate to help our cause, Thank you.
On-going Projects
The Nursery School
At the request of the village elders and the ministry of education and thanks to the Zoe Carss Educational Trust, we have built a new nursery school. This was designed with two classrooms and a barrie (verandah) at each end so that the little ones can be outside in all weathers.
This ensures that children have a good grasp of english, the official language, when they enter primary school.
The Primary School
There are 860 pupils in primary education but classes are very crowded and there is constant pressure to accept more children as, at present, only 60% go to school. In 2006 a new primary classroom building with a teachers office replaced a tarpaulin structure which had been in use since the war.
The Peninsula Secondary School
Generous donations from British & Foreign School Society, Guernsey Overseas Aid Commission together with fund raising events in Worcestershire have allowed us to build and equip large science, computer and home economics laboratories which are now in full use. This is Phase 1 of a long term renovation and development of the secondary school.
