The Back to School Project was launched in 2020 by our CEO, Mrs. Eustacia Anderson, out of her passion for supporting underprivileged pupils in Sierra Leone. Understanding the challenges many children face in accessing quality education, she envisioned a program that would provide students with the basic tools needed to start the academic year with confidence and motivation.
(Customized SRF Backpacks)
In October of that year, the Shalom Rescue Foundation made its first significant impact, distributing 100 backpacks filled with essential school supplies to 10 different community schools across Freetown. This initiative, coordinated by then-Country Program Coordinator Samuel Borbor, gave children the resources they needed to thrive in their educational journey.
(pupils receiving their backpacks and other school supplies)
Ongoing Impact
Since its inception, the Back to School Project has become an annual campaign, expanding each year thanks to the support of our generous partners and donors. In 2023, we reached even more vulnerable students, particularly focusing on girls who are marginalized, physically challenged, or at risk of domestic violence. By providing them with school supplies, we helped ensure that these young girls stayed in school and were protected from the cycle of abuse that many face when excluded from the education system.
(The Director, Emmanuel Duncan, alongside one of the students participating in the Back to School Project)
Under the guidance of our Director of Programs and Operations, Emmanuel Olufemi Duncan, the initiative has continued to grow. We have made it our mission to target the most vulnerable groups, including marginalized, physically challenged, and at-risk pupils, because we know that education is a powerful tool for empowerment and protection from exploitation. Every backpack we provide represents not only school supplies but also hope, safety, and a future filled with potential.
Looking Ahead
(Students with their packages)
This year, our goal is to extend our reach to local community schools in the Western Area Rural District, where the need is even greater. We are calling on you to join us in this transformative journey. By supporting the Back to School Project, you are helping us equip the next generation, particularly young girls, with the resources they need to stay in school and fight against abuse.
Together, we can make a lasting impact!
Emmanuel Olufemi Duncan
Director of Programs and Operations
Shalom Rescue Foundation
41 Adelaide Street
Freetown, Sierra Leone
