11/11/2023
Local Heroes Transform Sierra Leone Schools, Achieve Outstanding Student Success, and Unveil Magnificent Sports Facility
A dedicated team of individuals from the local community embarked on a journey of compassion and determination to support education in Sierra Leone. Their self-funded visit to the OAKS Primary and Secondary schools in Sierra Leone, spanning from mid to late October, turned out to be a remarkable journey filled with challenges and achievements.
The journey from Wirral, England, to Sierra Leone is no small feat, involving multiple flights and a 4.5-hour car journey, spanning nearly 22 hours. Unfortunately, the trip took an unexpected turn when an unfit Margaret Jarrett, one of the founding members of OAKS, traveled with a diagnosed viral infection. Her health progressively deteriorated during the journey, leading to her admission to a local hospital. Subsequent monitoring revealed pneumonia and a blood clot on her lung, necessitating several weeks of medical care. At the time of this article, we are pleased to report that Margaret is on the road to recovery, even spending time outside the hospital as she heals.
Nick Phipps, a trustee and secretary, along with Laurel Parkinson, took charge during the visit, conducting extensive assessments and reports on all aspects of the schools. Their efforts included interviews and assessments of all 22 teachers, register and attendance checks for both teachers and pupils, and an assessment of recent progress and challenges in the school year.
The team also dedicated substantial time to meet with parents on three occasions, addressing the needs of slow learners and providing guidance on how parents can support their children, a task made challenging by the language barrier. Additionally, they conducted meetings with school governors and management to discuss protocols, as well as visiting four independent schools to assess educational best practices, teacher pay, school fees, and facilities.
Their determination also led to negotiations with the local education authority to secure better teacher pay support, as well as the pursuit of recent external exam results, the BECE (GCSE equivalent).
One of the standout achievements during the visit was the negotiation with the local health authority to continue support for the malaria anti-viral program, contributing to an astonishing 96%+ school attendance rate, a remarkable accomplishment in the region.
Laurel played a crucial role by monitoring classrooms and providing teacher training. Nick, the owner of a well-established building and construction firm, oversaw the development of three sports fields, investing a significant amount in the project. With the use of a tracked excavator, this initiative now provides the children with a much-needed sports facility, a project that's bound to nurture future sports stars in Sierra Leone.
Notably, this Β£3500 scheme finishes the Β£12,000 larger scheme that started in March during their last visit, funded by a significant private donation. It's a testament to the generous support and the practicality of the OAKS team's initiatives. The result is a magnificent sports facility that is envied and highly practical for the community.
Another significant achievement was the awarding, calculation, and distribution of staff pay rises, with a remarkable 40% increase since the previous September, keeping them ahead of government pay and above private schools.
The long days of meetings and assessments, spanning from 8 am to 6.45 pm every day (except Sunday afternoon/evening), achieved remarkable results and were greatly appreciated. As the team prepared to leave Sierra Leone, they received the eagerly awaited external exam results for the secondary school. For the second year in a row, all 54 pupils passed all subjects, a remarkable feat that reflects the dedication of both parents and teachers. Impressively, 52 pupils achieved grade 1 passes in Science, and 50 in Agricultural Science. Furthermore, there was a significant improvement in math results compared to the previous year.
The team expressed their heartfelt gratitude to all supporters and donors, assuring them that 100% of donations directly contribute to tangible and progressive results. The organization's year-end accounts have been submitted to the charity commission, reinforcing their honest credentials. The group of dedicated custodians to the charity may lack prior charity experience, but they bring valuable life and business skills to appreciate the true essence of charity, with nothing being taken off the top.
The community is invited to join the OAKS charity for a night of celebration at Thornton Hall on November 25th. Some tickets are still available, and it's an opportunity to become part of an inspiring success story in Africa.
The tickets will include a 3 course meal, a raffle, auction and a disco. The disco will be hosted by Dave Bladen, who is an experienced local DJ and a dedicated board member for OAKS.
For more information, please contact Nick Phipps at 07876 356574.
This heartwarming and inspiring story demonstrates the incredible dedication, achievements, and the positive impact that this group of local heroes has had on the OAKS Schools in Sierra Leone.
