Life for Relief and Development USA (LIFE) Combats Falling School Retention Rates in Sierra Leone by Feeding 4,000 Students
- ajoyce140
- Oct 1
- 3 min read
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela.
For centuries, Africa has endured numerous wars and civil unrest. Sadly, this conflict continues today, with approximately 45% of African countries still experiencing armed violence. The scars that remain from this instability shake the very foundations of a country. The time, energy and infrastructure that could go into building up a nation are instead squandered on power struggles and political tensions, leaving its people struggling to survive.
However, in the midst of this war-torn continent, Sierra Leone shines on as an emblem of hope for many. After the internal conflict came to an end on the 18th of January 2002, plaguing the country for almost 11 years, Sierra Leone has maintained peace for the past 23 years. During this period of peace, aware of the impact that education plays in building the social and economic sectors within society, Sierra Leone has focused heavily on securing education for its youth. The country boasts an incredible enrollment rate of 99.2% for primary school students.
In spite of this, however, student retention is unfortunately not maintained across all levels of education. Only 64% of primary students complete grade 6, while the numbers are even worse for junior and secondary school, at 44% and 22% respectively. Furthermore, despite high enrollment at the primary level, only 8–9% of grade 3 students have foundational reading and numeracy skills, begging the question: where are we going wrong?
Surely, with such high enrollment rates in a country that is not under constant threat of attack and instability, children should be able to graduate from school! Sadly, the issue lies in the poverty faced by the masses. While this peace has allowed the government an opportunity to invest in rebuilding its social, economic, and educational sectors, Sierra Leona remains heavily reliant on foreign aid as it is amongst the world’s poorest nations, ranking 180 out of 187 countries in the Human Development Index. An astounding 77% of Sierra Leone’s citizens lack reliable access to sufficient, nutritious food, leaving 26.2% of children suffering from chronic malnutrition, impairing physical and cognitive development. this food insecurity, in part, is a result of corruption, poverty, and climate change, with the floods of 2022 and 2023 destroying crops and displacing thousands.
Life for Relief and Development USA (LIFE), aware of the struggles faced by the vulnerable youth in their journey towards a better future, has continued its unwavering support for the people of Sierra Leone. Between January 27th, 2025, and February 7th, 2025, LIFE distributed hot meals and dry rations to over 4,000 schoolchildren in a bid to feed the hungry, ranging from nursery to secondary levels, across various schools in Portloko, Kambia, and Western Rural Districts.
The food distribution initiative, which has been ongoing for the past two years, is designed to promote education by addressing food insecurity among children. This direct relief aims to combat malnutrition among children, supporting them on their quest for knowledge. By providing healthy meals during school days, LIFE’s distributions will positively impact the overall well-being, academic performance, and engagement in school activities of each child, thus supporting school retention rates.
A valued member of the community, John Momoh Koroma, conveyed the gratitude and appreciation felt by all. He extended a heartfelt thanks to LIFE and its donors, stressing that “where there is food, there is life, happiness, security, and the ability to concentrate”. He acknowledged that without food, children struggle to focus and praised LIFE for bringing smiles to the young beneficiaries' faces.
Likewise, one of the Head Teachers, Mr. Saidu S. Kamara, also expressed his gratitude to LIFE and its donors for executing such impactful relief programs. He shared that the hot cooked meals and dry rations provided were deeply appreciated by both students and teachers. "What we have witnessed today is truly remarkable, and we extend our thanks to the donor partners for delivering these gifts at such a critical time," Mr. Kamara noted.
The project restored hope and happiness to the beneficiaries, positively impacting school retention, a concern shared by many school leaders. It is due to your donations and the efforts made by LIFE’s teams that Sierra Leone’s youth can focus on building a better future for themselves and their country. Through education, we can have a brighter tomorrow.
