By Mackie M. Jalloh
In a renewed effort to tackle barriers preventing vulnerable girls from accessing and completing their education, Cline Town Educational Organization Sierra Leone (C.E.O SL) has launched the second phase of its Save Girls Education Project, extending its intervention to 96 girls across two schools in Cline Town, Freetown.
The launch, held on Saturday, 7 November 2026, at Bishop Crowther School, marks a significant expansion of the organisation’s commitment to girls’ education, following encouraging results recorded during the project’s first phase.
With support from German based YOU Stiftung, the initiative will now benefit pupils at Bishop Crowther School and Educare Learning Network, providing educational materials, mentorship, family support and other interventions aimed at improving school attendance, retention and academic performance.
The ceremony brought together pupils, parents, school authorities, community leaders, representatives of the Sierra Leone Police, teachers’ union officials, volunteers and other stakeholders, highlighting the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring that vulnerable girls are not denied their right to education.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Tsitsi Muvunzi, Lead Facilitator of C.E.O SL’s Save Girls Education Project, described the expansion as an important step towards reaching more girls whose educational journeys are threatened by financial difficulties and other social challenges.
She disclosed that during the first phase, school attendance among beneficiaries increased from approximately 60 per cent to 98 per cent, while all nine girls who sat the National Primary School Examination (NPSE) successfully passed and gained admission to their preferred schools.
According to her, the results provided evidence that targeted educational assistance, consistent monitoring and mentorship can significantly improve girls’ educational outcomes.
She explained that the second phase would build on these achievements by extending the programme to another school and increasing the number of beneficiaries from 70 to 96.
The expansion also introduces additional support mechanisms designed to address the circumstances that often prevent girls from remaining in school.
As part of the launch, learning materials and sanitary items were distributed to beneficiaries present, while 14 peer mentors, selected from the project’s first cohort, were introduced to support and guide other girls.
Parents and guardians also signed formal agreements with C.E.O SL, committing themselves to ensuring regular school attendance and their children’s participation in mentoring activities.
A particularly important component of the programme is its focus on safeguarding and protecting girls from abuse, exploitation, violence and other harmful practices.
Mr. Mohamed Mansaray, Director of the Family Support Unit (FSU) of the Sierra Leone Police, who attended as Distinguished Guest of Honour, emphasised the importance of creating safe environments where girls can learn, develop and report concerns without fear.
He explained that the Family Support Unit operates across police divisions nationwide and receives reports directly from individuals, schools and civil society organisations.
He encouraged parents, teachers and peer mentors to take disclosures of abuse seriously and promptly refer such cases to the appropriate authorities rather than attempting to resolve them privately within families or schools.
He further outlined the referral mechanisms available to survivors, including access to health services, social welfare interventions and legal support where necessary.
Mansaray also expressed the Unit’s willingness to collaborate with C.E.O SL, including providing guidance to the newly appointed peer mentors on how to respond appropriately when a girl reports abuse or requires protection.
Meanwhile, Miss Gladys Bamijoko Branche, Western Region Women’s Leader of the Sierra Leone Teachers Union, addressed the girls on the importance of education in preparing women for leadership and professional careers.
She encouraged the beneficiaries to remain committed to their studies, progress from primary to secondary and tertiary education, and recognise that their backgrounds should never determine the limits of their ambitions.
Representing the Chief Council, Mr. Salieu Bah reaffirmed the importance of community support in promoting girls’ education, while Mr. Gibrilla Bangura, representing community leaders, called for stronger collaboration among families, schools and community stakeholders to ensure vulnerable girls receive the necessary encouragement and assistance.
The Head Teacher of Bishop Crowther School, Mr. Joshua Jiapanda Tucker, welcomed the programme and highlighted improvements in attendance and confidence among girls who benefited from the first phase.
His counterpart at Educare Learning Network also welcomed the school’s inclusion in the expanded programme, explaining that the institution had previously served as a comparison school during Phase One, when lower attendance levels were recorded than at Bishop Crowther School.
He expressed optimism that extending direct educational support to his pupils would produce similar improvements and thanked C.E.O SL for recognising the school’s needs.
The excitement surrounding the launch was also reflected in the appreciation expressed by pupils and parents from both participating schools.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to C.E.O SL, Yasin Bah and YOU Stiftung for creating an opportunity that would enable them to continue their education with greater confidence and access to essential learning materials.
Parents similarly welcomed the intervention, describing the provision of school materials, sanitary items and mentorship as meaningful support for families struggling to meet the educational needs of their children. They encouraged the sponsors and organisers to sustain the initiative so that more vulnerable girls could benefit.
A message from Ms. Jerger, Vice President of YOU Stiftung, was also delivered during the ceremony, commending C.E.O SL for its commitment to improving educational opportunities for children in need and encouraging the girls to make the best use of the opportunities provided.
The project is financed through YOU Stiftung’s general funds, donations generated through its 2025 Christmas fundraising campaign for Sierra Leone, and the legacy of Ruth Danielsen.
Running from November 2026 to September 2027, the second phase will include monthly workshops for all beneficiaries, bi-weekly peer mentor sessions, conditional cash transfers to 35 families and a summer school expected to reach more than 300 children across both participating schools.
Founded in 2013, C.E.O SL is a youth-led organisation based in Cline Town, Freetown, working to support children from kindergarten through university, with particular emphasis on girls’ education, mentorship and community engagement. Its governance and project staff are entirely made up of young people between the ages of 18 and 35.
YOU Stiftung, a German foundation operating in official relations with UNESCO, supports educational opportunities for children in need, particularly vulnerable girls and disadvantaged communities.
Beyond the distribution of educational materials, the expanded initiative represents a broader effort to address the financial, social and protection-related challenges that threaten girls’ education.
With stronger parental commitments, community participation, institutional collaboration and international support, the programme seeks to ensure that more girls in Cline Town remain in school, complete their education and become active contributors to Sierra Leone’s future development.
