The READS

28/02/2026

Earlier today, I received a WhatsApp message from one of our partners in the US, Mrs. Aminata Davidson. From her message, she asked a few questions that resonate deeply with me, and anticipate that Mama SaLone and her children, must dare to find answers before it's too late. Read her message below:

“Good morning my dear family and friends,

I’ve been reflecting on something I'd love to share.🙏❤️

Sometimes we say we don’t care about this world because we’re focused on heaven. But I truly believe that caring for what God has placed in our hands today is part of our faith and purpose.

This life, the people around us, our communities, and the blessings we see every day are gifts entrusted to us. If we cannot care for what is visible, how can we say we are ready for what is unseen? Loving, serving, and showing compassion here on earth is, to me, one of the greatest ways we honor God.🙏

Let’s continue to uplift one another, take care of what we’ve been given, and strive to leave this world better than we found it.🙏

With love and blessings 🙏❤️ Share to help others” 🙏

Aminata Davidson🙏 ❤️🇸🇳🇬🇳🇸🇱🇺🇸

U.S. Embassy Freetown, Sierra Leone UNICEF Sierra Leone UNFPA Sierra Leone UNDP in Sierra Leone Embassy of Iceland in Freetown ActionAid Sierra Leone Amref Health Africa Africanews

20/02/2026

The idea that success is all about effort and intelligence can actually promote planned failures and disunity among university graduates. What about emotional regulations, exposure, and human relationships?

Meet the unpopular, influential young scientists from Njala University who contributed to the discovery of Marburg & Sosuga Viruses in Sierra Leone from bats🦇 (2018). What shaped our success wasn't just IQ, but intentional emotional intelligence, local & International exposure, and collaboration.

Let's rethink our education system to produce employable, innovative thinkers who value empathy and teamwork. To young people, prioritize self-education and nurture your human relationships – they speak louder than certificates.💡

U.S. Embassy Freetown, Sierra Leone UNICEF Sierra Leone UNFPA Sierra Leone UNDP in Sierra Leone fans Embassy of Iceland in Freetown

14/02/2026

Vector-borne and zoonotic risks emerge before cases appear.

Mpox transmission documented between rope squirrels and sooty mangabey monkeys shows that spillover risk is at forest–community levelsl, not only borders (Riutord-Fe et al., 2026).

In Sierra Leone, these species are hunted and handled at forest edges as part of daily life. Risk accumulates quietly through routine activity, outside formal surveillance.

The Research Education And Development Synergy Sierra Leone (The READS) is a youth-led, community-based organisation working in One Health research and education. It is proposing a pilot programme "TheREADS One Health Research & Education Summer Camp," to be held from 24–29 April at Tiwai Island, a tropical rainforest, and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The programme trains secondary school and university students to observe environmental change, document early climatic and zoonotic risk signals, and report ethically before outbreaks occur, adding an upstream layer to preparedness.

A short concept note is attached outlining the approach and opportunities for partnership and sponsorship. Concept note: https://lnkd.in/dWJzB5RB

The evidence prompting the approach https://lnkd.in/d2FS2fCt

U.S. Embassy Freetown, Sierra Leone UNICEF Sierra Leone UNFPA Sierra Leone UNDP in Sierra Leone Africanews Africa CDC World Health Organization (WHO)

12/02/2026

The READS as a community-based NGO focused on young people Science Literacy, Leadership, and Civic Responsibility is uniting efforts to amplify UNICEF Sierra Leone's call to arms against school violence.

We must not just talk about education, we must also craft safe havens where Sierra Leone's youth can UNLEASH their potential. Thanks to MBSSE and co-laborers for paving the way.

The goal is zones where young people can be successful

Learning Exchange | Ending Violence in Schools

Government representatives and partners from Nepal and Sierra Leone, together with UNICEF and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), convened for the Safe Learning Technical Assistance Initiative (TAI) Learning Exchange.
The exchange provided a valuable platform to reflect on progress, challenges, and lessons learned in advancing the Safe to Learn Call to Action, with a focus on:
✔️ Strengthening leadership, coordination, and institutional arrangements
✔️ Improving the use of data and evidence in education sector planning
✔️ Translating global and national commitments into sustainable, country-led action
Discussions highlighted how the TAI is supporting the integration of child protection into education systems, strengthening institutional capacity, and generating transferable lessons to inform future policy and programming to end violence in schools.
We appreciate Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education MBSSE and all partners for their collaboration and continued commitment to safe, inclusive, and protective learning environments.

World Bank Group Irish Embassy Sightsavers TSC Ministry Of Gender and Children's Affairs1

11/02/2026

The READS stands with UNICEF Sierra Leone in support of “SaLone Pikin dem” to get access to clean water for their well-being.

Together, we can make a difference in children's health and well-being.

"

Access to clean water is transforming children’s health and well-being across Sierra Leone.

In Petful village, Bombali District, nine-year-old Fatu once relied on water from a nearby contaminated pond—one of the few available sources in her community—putting her and other children at risk of waterborne diseases.

With support from UNICEF, solar-powered water systems and community hand pump wells are shifting communities from unsafe sources to reliable access to clean drinking water—bringing safe water closer to children and their families.

🔗 Read the full story: https://unicef.link/45NTKmT

10/02/2026

is a human right, not just women’s fight.

and see how —the sexual and reproductive health agency—is advocating for women and girls around the world: unf.pa/equality



@topfans

06/02/2026

The READS WASSCE Preparation Camp 2026

We are happy to announce that TheREADS Science Syndicate 2026 WASSCE Preparation Camp, a four-month residential program preparing SSS-3 science students for high performance in the upcoming WASSCE is finally up.

Venue: Bo Social Welfare Compound, Kortigbuma Section, Bo
Date: Feb – May 30, 2026
Focus: Mathematics | English Language | Chemistry | Biology | Physics

Onboarding: 8th February 2026
Arrival: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Orientation: 5:00 pm

Parents and students must review the Camping Prospectus and comply fully with all guidelines throughout the tenure.

Key Features
- Intensive, exam-focused instruction
- Supervised study & periodic assessments
- Timed mocks & past-paper drills
- Mentorship & psychosocial support
- Safe, disciplined residential environment

Meet a few of our staff💡

Contacts: Email: [email protected] | WhatsApp: +1 409 310 7489 | Tel: +232 76761015

18/01/2026

Rest well. Thanks for your contributions in preparing the stage for us. TheREADS, a community-based organization in Research, Education, and Development, will continue to use your resilience and diligence as a reference to continue the fight in restoring the dignity of Mama SaLone, and diligently prioritize contributing to making SaLone a better place for all.

UNDP in Sierra Leone U.S. Embassy Freetown, Sierra Leone UNICEF Sierra Leone Yale University UNFPA Sierra Leone

Today, Sierra Leone remembers the victims of the civil war and honours the resilience of survivors, recommitting to peace, unity, and never again. 🇸🇱🕊️



United Nations in Sierra Leone Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion ICPNC -SL The Ministry of Information and Civic Education

17/01/2026

Hello, Young Female Science Students,

We’re set to hear an inspiring Science story from Joyce Nyanda James, a Sierra Leonean scientist doing well in the US, who is sharing her journey from Annie Walsh to Njala University, and to the US.

She'll dive into:
- Why she chose science
- Overcoming challenges as a female scientist in Sierra Leone
- Her motivation and successes
- And most importantly, her advice for young girls in SL pursuing science.

Join us to be inspired.
Date: 17/01/26
Time: 17 PM (GMT)
Platform: Google Meet
Link to join: https://meet.google.com/evc-ydvx-rce

Perfect for high school and university students curious about STEM.

U.S. Embassy Freetown, Sierra Leone UNICEF Sierra Leone Yale University