By George M.O. Williams
Freetown, March 5, 2026: Street Child Sierra Leone has announced that its flagship initiative, the Education For Every Child Today (EFFECT) project, has successfully enrolled more than 35,000 vulnerable children into primary schools since its launch in 2022.
The disclosure was made by Country Director Kelfa Kargbo during a press conference at the organization’s headquarters in Congo Cross, Freetown. He explained that the four-year, $4 million project is being implemented in partnership with the Education Above All Foundation through its Educate A Child Programme, with support from the Qatar Fund for Development.
Expanding Access to Education
Kargbo highlighted that the project has reached underserved communities in districts including Kono, Magburaka, Lunsar, and Kenema. Of the children enrolled, 52 percent—over 18,000—are girls. He emphasized that this reflects Street Child’s deliberate focus on gender equity, ensuring that girls, who often face greater barriers to education, are not left behind.
Tackling Poverty Through Family Empowerment
Beyond enrolment, the initiative addresses poverty, a major factor keeping children out of school. Through its Family Business for Education (FBE) scheme, Street Child has supported about 11,500 caregivers with enterprise training, cash grants, and tailored business support. Notably, 92 percent of these grants were given to women, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to empowering mothers and female caregivers.
“By empowering mothers financially, we strengthen their ability to keep children in school and support their learning,” Kargbo said.
Community Impact and Sustainability
Project Manager Mohamed S. Turay described the enrolment milestone as “an inspiring achievement,” noting that many of the children previously lived in remote communities where schools were dilapidated and families struggled to afford basic necessities.
Turay explained that the EFFECT project delivers a comprehensive support package, tackling social, economic, and institutional barriers to education. This includes psychosocial support, identification of vulnerable children living or working on the streets, and structured schemes to strengthen caregivers’ financial capacity.
He stressed that the approach is designed to ensure sustainability: “Even after the project ends, caregivers will have the means to continue supporting their children’s education.”