By Feima Sesay
Orange Sierra Leone Foundation has on Friday 16th January 2026 at the Ban Base Center Kingtom officially launched its ‘Back-to-School Project’ an initiative aimed at supporting education by providing essential learning materials to about 2,000 school-going children from various primary schools.
The initiative was implemented in collaboration with Concern for Vulnerable Women and Children, working closely with community stakeholders to ensure that the support reached pupils most in need.
Speaking at the launch, the Director of Orange (SL) Foundation, Mrs. Annie Wonnie-Katta, said the purpose of the event went beyond the distribution of school materials. She explained that it was a reaffirmation of the Foundation’s continued commitment to making meaningful and impactful contributions to the lives of young learners in Sierra Leone.
She noted that the project aligns with the Government of Sierra Leone’s vision of promoting education as a pillar of human capital development. According to her, the Foundation strongly believes in this vision and is committed to demonstrating that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, dream, and succeed.
Mrs. Wonnie-Katta emphasized that at the Orange Sierra Leone Foundation, education is not merely a programme but a core pillar of its mission to positively impact the nation. She described it as a promise to improve the daily lives of Sierra Leoneans and to ensure that no child is left behind because of poverty, displacement, or vulnerability.
The Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Mrs. Aicha Toure, described the event as very special to the Foundation, noting that for many children, access to basic school materials remains a major challenge.
Sharing a personal reflection, Mrs. Toure revealed that her father was the first educated person in their family, a milestone that changed their family’s story. She said it was education that enabled her to attain her current position, and this experience continues to inspire her commitment to supporting education.
She explained that through the ‘Back-to-School Project’ the Orange (SL) Foundation seeks to give children across the country the same opportunity to change their life narratives, stressing that their education matters and their future matters. She assured that the Foundation would continue to support pupils.
Mrs. Toure further stated that while Orange provides network connectivity every day, the company believes that education is the strongest network it can build—connecting children to opportunities, communities to progress, and Sierra Leone to a brighter future. She encouraged pupils to make good use of the materials provided, remain committed to their studies, and never lose sight of their dreams.
Delivering the keynote address, the Honourable Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Mr. Conrad Sackey, described the occasion as “a crossroads where a child either walks back into the classroom or quietly drifts away from it,” stressing that the future of the nation is often decided at such defining moments.
The Minister noted that the Back-to-School Project represents a collective choice of hope, responsibility, and action, emphasizing that the challenges facing children’s education are shared responsibilities.
Quoting an African adage, “Rain does not fall on one roof alone,” the Minister underscored the need for collaboration among government, the private sector, communities, families, and development partners to ensure that no child is left behind in education.
According to him, the lack of basic learning materials such as exercise books, pens, uniforms, and school bags continues to pose a significant barrier to school attendance for many children. “What we see here today is not just uniforms and bags, but promise, untapped brilliance, and the future custodians of Sierra Leone’s progress,” he said.
Sharing a personal story, the Minister recounted the experience of a young girl from a rural community who once stayed home from school due to the absence of basic materials, but later returned after receiving community support. Years later, she was found confidently enrolled in senior secondary school, aspiring to become a nurse. He emphasized that the transformation was driven not by charity, but by opportunity—an opportunity the Back-to-School Project seeks to provide.
The Minister described the initiative, which is initiated, funded, and implemented by the Orange Sierra Leone Foundation, as more than a donation exercise. Rather, he said it was a declaration that education must remain a fundamental right for every child, not a privilege for a few. He noted that the materials distributed restore dignity, encourage regular school attendance, and send a strong message to children that they are seen, valued, and worth investing in.
He commended the CEO of Orange Sierra Leone, Mrs. Aicha Toure; the Director of the Orange Sierra Leone Foundation, Mrs. Annie Wonnie-Katta; and the entire Orange Sierra Leone team for their visionary leadership and commitment to national development. The partnership was highlighted as a model of effective collaboration between government and the private sector in advancing Sierra Leone’s Human Capital Development agenda.
Addressing the pupils directly, the Minister encouraged them to remain disciplined, curious, and respectful to their teachers, while urging parents and guardians to continue supporting their children’s education. Teachers were described as the “quiet architects of the nation,” whose daily efforts shape the country’s future. Community leaders were also called upon to protect and promote education within their communities.
Representatives of the Orange (SL) Foundation reiterated that the ‘Back-to-School Project’ forms part of the company’s broader commitment to giving back to society and supporting education, stressing that every child matters. Beneficiaries, parents, and community members expressed appreciation for the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful, especially for families struggling to meet school-related expenses.
The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education’s commitment to access, equity, and quality education, noting that education remains the most sustainable investment any nation can make. He concluded with a call for collective action, stressing that while no single institution can succeed alone, working together makes it possible to ensure that no child is excluded from the classroom.
As the ‘Back-to-School Project’ takes effect, the message from Kingtom was clear: if the classroom is the birthplace of the nation’s future, then ensuring every child’s return to school is a shared responsibility that Sierra Leone must uphold.
