Makeni, Sierra Leone: The Sunday Foundation (SF), a humanitarian organization headquartered in the Netherlands, has recently officially opened the Sunday Foundation College of Health Sciences (SFCHS) in Makeni, offering tuition-free education and uniforms to students. The initiative has been widely praised as a major contribution to Sierra Leone’s human capital development, a key priority of the government.
The ultra-modern facility sits on a five-acre site in Maboleh, Shebora Chiefdom, Bombali District, three miles from Makeni. It features an e-library, skills laboratory, computer lab, lecture halls, administrative offices, staff rooms, and reliable water and electricity supply. Plans are already underway for future expansion.
For the 2025/26 academic year, the college is offering diploma and certificate programmes in Nursing, Public Health, Reproductive Health, Community Development Studies, and Information & Communication Technology. All courses are approved by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), National Council for Technical, Vocational and Other Academic Awards (NCTVA), and the Sierra Leone Nurses and Midwives Council (SLNMC).
Over 100 students, mostly female, have enrolled in the inaugural intake, with many coming from across the country, including Kabala, Bonthe, Kambia, and Freetown. Several are graduates of Sunday Foundation schools. The serene environment is designed to foster effective teaching and learning, with plans to upgrade some courses to degree level once accreditation is secured.
Students have expressed appreciation for the free tuition and high academic standards. Fatmata Kamara, a nursing student, commended the lecturers’ dedication and described the opportunity as “a golden chance that cannot be missed.” Another student, Abdul Rahman Sesay, praised the weekly tests and lecturer commitment but highlighted challenges such as transportation, hostel facilities, and the need for a masjid.
The college administration is working toward affiliations with other reputable institutions in Sierra Leone, with optimism that SFCHS will eventually achieve university status.
The Sunday Foundation has a long track record of educational investment in Sierra Leone. Over the past 20 years, it has established 67 schools nationwide, providing free tuition, uniforms, and vocational training.
National Coordinator Alimamy Sawyer Bangura credited the foundation’s founder and CEO, Mr. Sander De Kramer, his family, and their partners in the Netherlands for their sacrifices. “Education is the key to development and enlightenment,” he said, noting that the foundation’s work has given thousands of underprivileged children access to opportunities that would otherwise have been denied.
With the launch of SFCHS, the Sunday Foundation has reinforced its role as a transformative force in Sierra Leone’s education sector, creating pathways for future health professionals and community leaders.