By Alimamyjalloh@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – In a significant move towards empowering girls in the Devil-Hole community, twelve girls aged 18 and above 20 have been awarded scholarships to attend the FAWE Secondary School along the Waterloo Highway, in the Western Rural areas of Freetown. This initiative, made possible through the Girl Child Fund with support from the South Korean Government, aims to provide educational opportunities for deprived girls from economically challenged backgrounds.
The awardees were carefully selected from the community, with a focus on those who had previously dropped out of school. The scholarships, facilitated by the community stakeholders, extend not only to residents of Devil-Hole but also to girls from neighbouring communities in Waterloo. The selection process, conducted at the awardees’ residences, aimed to ensure both actual need and satisfaction.
Saffiatu Conteh, a 17-year-old recipient of the scholarship at FAWE Secondary School for Girls in Waterloo, expressed her joy at being awarded the scholarship in October 2023. Saffiatu shared that she had dropped out of school in primary grade 6 and, thanks to the scholarship, is now in secondary grade 1. Grateful for the opportunity to continue her education, Saffiatu looks forward to a brighter future.
She explained, “To be honest, the previous school I attended was not of my choice. So I did not like it. FAWE School is far better than the previous school I enrolled in because of the teaching process and colleagues’ interaction.”
Local authorities emphasized that the scholarship covers a maximum of three years. At the end of this period, a committee will be established to advocate for the continued education of pupils from the Devil-Hole community, especially focusing on senior secondary grades leading to university-level education. This initiative showcases the community’s commitment to nurturing and empowering young girls through education. AJ/5/12/2023