Freetown, 5th March, 2026– Street Child of Sierra Leone (SCoSL) has celebrated a major milestone, the enrolment of 35,000 vulnerable children into primary schools over the past four years.
Speaking at an event organised at the organisations Main Moto Road, Congo Cross office in Freetown, Kelfala Kargbo, Country Director, highlighted the measurable impact of the organization’s flagship project, Education For Every Child Today (EFECT).
The initiative is implemented in partnership with the Education Above All Foundation’s Educate A Child programme, with support from the Qatar Fund for Development. Since 2022, EFECT has directly enrolled more than 35,000 children, with girls making up 52% of beneficiaries, over 18,000 girls compared to 17,000 boys.
Kargbo emphasized that this reflects Street Child’s deliberate efforts to address gender disparities and ensure girls, who often face greater barriers to education, are not left behind.
“Since 2022, the project has supported the direct enrolment of over 35,000 of the most vulnerable children into primary school. Importantly, 52% of these beneficiaries are girls: more than 18,000 girls alongside approximately 17,000 boys. This reflects Street Child of Sierra Leone’s deliberate efforts to address gender disparities and ensure that girls, who often face greater barriers to education, are not left behind”
Recognizing that enrolment alone is not enough, Street Child has also supported families through its Family Business for Education (FBE) scheme. Approximately 11,500 caregivers have received enterprise training, cash grants, and tailored support to grow household income. Notably, 92% of these grants were provided to women, empowering mothers and female caregivers to keep children in school and support their learning.
Kargbo summarized EFECT’s achievements: Expanded access to education for over 35,000 children, promoted gender equity, with girls making up 52% of beneficiaries, strengthened household economic resilience and empowered women as key drivers of educational continuity.
“This integrated approach shows that when education support and economic empowerment work together, we see tangible, transformational change,” he said.
Project Manager Mohamed Papa Turay acknowledged the challenges of reaching children in remote communities. “We work with children whose parents cannot afford even basic necessities, including school fees and materials. Most of these children are found in public schools in very remote areas, and access to those communities is often difficult,” he explained.
Deputy Country Director Idriss Sesay described the enrolment of 35,000 children as an inspiring milestone. “These are children who were once on the streets but now find hope and opportunity through education. This achievement is a testament to the power of community, collaboration, and our unwavering belief that every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and succeed,” Sesay said.
Street Child reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that vulnerable children in Sierra Leone’s hardest-to-reach communities not only enroll in school but remain in education, learn, and succeed in their futures.
