Schools for Salone is working with schools across the US to expand the horizons of American students by showing them what it is like to be a child and a student in Sierra Leone, West Africa, one of the poorest countries of the world, still recovering from the horrors of its 11 year civil war. 

Often our programs inspire US students to step out of themselves and take action, together in classes or clubs and as individuals, to help make a difference in the lives of others less fortunate than themselves and to connect with students half a world away.

Brownstones to Red Dirt, New York - 2009 & 2010
Copper Pot Pictures made a documentary film of a Pen Pal program set up by Respect International between inner city Brooklyn kids and orphans at the Children in Crisis shool near Freetown, Sierra Leone.  The film will have its world premiere at the Sarasota Film Festival and will follow that up with a screening at the San Francisco Film Festival.  The film highlights the similarities these kids have in their hopes and dreams, even as it starkly demonstrates the differences between the two countries they live in.  The making of the film inspired Copper Pot Pictures to build a school for Sierra Leonean kids and a Library for the Brooklyn kids which will help them stay connected to their new friends in Sierra Leone.

Project Hello, Ventura, CA to Freetown, SL - 2009 & 2010
This web 2.0 project connects high school students in Ventura, California and Freetown Sierra Leone over the internet.  Believing the power of stories to increase understanding, Melissa Wantz, a Ventura, high school teacher, was inspried by Ishmael Beah's "A Long Way Gone" and Greg Mortinson's "Three Cups of Tea" and their messages of hope and perseverance.  She applied for an NEA grant to set up a web site where the students can write to each other over the internet.  Out of this social network will come a book of stories, poems, illustrations and photos for all to share.

Lawton Elementary School, Seattle, Washington - February 2010
Raised funds for school supplies and hopes to learn more about Sierra Leone through simulated cultural activities and letter exchanges with Sierra Leonean students.

Jackson Hole, WY - August 3-7, 2009
Schools for Salone and InterConnections 21
hosted former child soldier, award winning author
and UNICEF Ambassador Ishmael Beah.  He shared his story of redemption and hope while exploring the topics of war, youth, recovery and progress since the war in Sierra Leone.   Several events were scheduled to raise awareness and establish connections between students in both countries.   Proceeds raised were used by Schools for Salone to build and supply Kpakuma and Sembehun schools in this poorest of nations. (Learn More about this August 2009 program)

Souhegan High School, Amherst NH - March 25, 2009
Hosts former child soldier and author, Ishmael Beah...
On March 25th, Souhegan High School hosted former child soldier, New York Times bestselling and award winning author and current UNICEF Ambassador Mr. Beah along with Mr. Kamara.  Together, these men will present their shared story of redemption and hope while exploring the topic of war, youth and recovery - from the point view of the child soldier and adults like Mr. Kamara, who risked their lives helping them to recover.
   * Donations support the partnership effort between Schools for Salone and Books for Africa to send a container with 22,000 books to rural schools in Sierra Leone, including the Junctionla school Ishmael built near his hometown with proceeds from his book.    (Learn More about the March 25th program)

Wedgwood Elementary, Seattle, Washington - March 2009
Fourth Grade Students and the Wedgwood PTA raised $1000 for school supplies and wrote letters to students in Sierra Leone.

Hall-Kent Elementary, Homewood, Alabama - March 2009
Fifth Grade Students redeme "Chore Coupons" to raise funds
     Fifth grade students, teachers and room parents at Hall-Kent Elementary School (Homewood, Alabama) were looking for a service project as part of their holiday activities in December 2008. The adults involved wanted the children to have the experience of giving back, in addition to the normal holiday celebration. Although the idea of having a “Change Drive” was appealing to those involved, the room parents decided that rather then just asking the students to bring in monetary change donations, they wanted the children to actually DO something for the money.  After some thought, they decided to have the students create coupons and earn the money they would donate. During their holiday party, 5th graders created their own “chore coupons,” which they took home with them over the winter holidays.
      Over the holiday break, parents redeemed the coupons and the children performed a variety of chores, such as walking the dog, taking out the trash, emptying and loading the dishwasher, and cleaning their room. Parents then “paid” their children for the work and the students brought back this money when they returned in January.
      The 5th grade class of 72 students earned $160! After collecting the “coupon” money, a parent asked the school’s PTO if they would be willing to match the money earned by the students. The Hall-Kent PTO happily voted to do so, so the entire Hall-Kent donation to the Niagorehun Project at Schools for Salone was $320.

Montezuma- Cortez High School, Cortez, Colorado - January, 2009
Student, Naomi Ritthaler, passes the "Money Jar" and tells her story...
      "When I heard about Schools for Salone, I was immediately interested and knew I wanted to help. I got on the web sight and looked at the pictures of the new schools and the children that went there, and how happy they were to have new schools and supplies. I wanted to be a part of that..."      (Click here to see more)

an IB High School, Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA - December 2008
Student Helen Doan raises $500 for Schools for Salone
    "I first came across Schools for Salone during an in class project.  Our task was to get into groups and pick a (NGO). We would then present that (NGO) to the class and the winning organization would be contacted and we would donate to them..."    (Click here to read more)

Gwin Elementary School, Hoover, Alabama - December 2008
Raises fund for a new school in Niagorehun village, Sierra Leone
      Katie Collins, an ESL teacher at Gwin Elementary, has a sister working in Sierra Leone.  That sister, Emily Heck, has spearheaded a fundraising effort through Schools for Salone to build a school in Sierra Leone’s Niagorehun Village.  The school was badly damaged from the decade long war that ended in 2002 and remains in need of rebuilding.  Estimated rebuilding costs are upward of $30,000.  Katie helped organize one of Gwin Elementary’s December “Family Days” event as a fundraiser for the Niagorehun School and raised over $100.

Lowell Elementary School, Seattle, Washington - March 2008
Lowell students make a difference in Sierra Leone
      Inspired by Cindy Nofziger, the school’s physical therapist, the Lowell Elementary School student council raised more than $1300 to buy school and recreational supplies for the children in Sierra Leone.  Cindy shared her love of Sierra Leone with a group of fourth and fifth graders, telling them about her experiences as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the mid 1980s and how the small West African country suffered through 12 years of civil war that destroyed educational opportunities for a whole generation.  In Seattle, Cindy bought colored markers, pencils, crayons, soccer balls and pumps with the student’s donation.  In Sierra Leone she bought paper, pens, chalk and text books.  In February 2008, she presented all of these items to the schools her nonprofit organization, Schools for Salone, had recently built in Sierra Leone.  The Lowell students also sent pictures of their life in Seattle to the children in Sierra Leone.
      "We learned that Sierra Leone is the world’s poorest country," said Lila Brandt, a fifth grader.  "It was important to help people who really don’t have anything."
      "It’s so important that kids get an education," said Emma Lower.  "This was the most important project we did.  We were surprised by how much money we raised."

Acequia Madre Elementary School, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Aspen Middle & High Schools in congunction with the Aspen Writers Guild.

This is just a start. More information coming soon.

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