By Mackie M. Jalloh
In the heart of Clinetown, where economic hardship often dictates the future of many children, a new wave of hope is rising. The Clinetown Educational Organization Sierra Leone (CEO SL), under the visionary leadership of Yasin Bah, has unveiled an ambitious initiative to secure the future of vulnerable girls through education. The “Save Girls’ Education Project” is a one-year pilot program designed to keep girls in school, empower families, and strengthen community engagement around education.
Scheduled to run from August 2025 to July 2026, this transformative project targets adolescent girls aged 8 to 15, a group identified as being most at risk of dropping out due to poverty, cultural barriers, and lack of support systems.
The Save Girls’ Education Project goes beyond traditional charity by combining academic support, mentorship, health resources, and economic empowerment. Its five main objectives include:
1. Mentorship for 70 vulnerable girls, focusing on academic guidance, health awareness, and life skills through workshops led by female professionals and university students.
2. Provision of essential learning materials—bags, books, and stationery—at the start of every school term.
3. Distribution of sanitary pads, ensuring that menstrual hygiene does not become a barrier to attendance.
4. Conditional cash transfers (CCTs) sent directly to families via SIM-enabled systems, reducing the financial burden of schooling.
5. Summer classes for 200+ girls during August and September to provide structured academic support and protect against idleness or early pregnancy.
Parents will sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to guarantee accountability, while quarterly meetings between guardians and teachers will maintain transparency and strengthen partnerships.
“No girl in Clinetown should be left behind because of poverty,” said Yasin Bah, reiterating CEO SL’s mission to break the cycle of educational exclusion.
As part of its ongoing commitment to excellence, CEO SL recently recognized the top nine pupils of Bishop Crowther Primary School, awarding them for their outstanding academic performance:
1. Bah Mamadu R – 314
2. Kamara Zainab – 306
3. Gbosowa Sia H – 304
4. Bangura Abdulai U – 301
5. Gbla Sallieu – 301
6. Kamara Marie – 300
7. Bah Isata – 297
8. Mansaray Fatima M – 297
9. Mansaray Theresa – 297
This recognition not only celebrates academic achievement but also motivates other pupils to strive for excellence despite challenges.
The launch event brought together parents, educators, and local leaders, all unified in praising CEO SL’s efforts.
• Valentina RD Oubee, Chairperson of the event, commended the partnership between CEO SL, schools, and parents, calling it “a cornerstone for building an educated Clinetown.”
• Mary Bangura, speaking on behalf of parents, thanked CEO SL for its “tremendous contributions” and prayed for continuity of the program.
• Headmistress Fatmata A. Fofanah expressed deep appreciation to CEO SL and its leader, Yasin Bah, for consistent support to the school and urged parents to cooperate with teachers for their children’s success.
• Chief Mohamed S. Bah, Secretary of the Chiefdom Council, reminded the gathering that “education is the best inheritance we can give our children,” urging parents to avoid child labor and keep both boys and girls in school.
• Council Representative Alimatu Thoronka highlighted how the project is reshaping perceptions of Clinetown: “Once seen as a community of unskilled youth, today we are prioritizing education.”
• Keynote Speaker Mohamed Sanusie Bah, speaking on behalf of CEO SL, reassured stakeholders that this project is only the beginning of a long journey to transform education in the community.
For decades, poverty has been the greatest barrier to education in Clinetown. Families often face the difficult choice between sending a child to school or putting them to work. Girls are disproportionately affected, with early marriage, teenage pregnancy, and cultural expectations pushing many out of classrooms.
CEO SL’s intervention is not just timely—it is revolutionary. By addressing the economic root causes of school dropout and providing holistic support, the organization is giving Clinetown’s girls more than education; it is giving them a future.
“When we invest in education, we build peace, development, and hope for tomorrow,” said Chief Bah, echoing the sentiment of all present.
As the program prepares for its official rollout, CEO SL calls on stakeholders, parents, and the wider community to join hands in ensuring that no girl in Clinetown is left behind because of poverty. Under Yasin Bah’s leadership, the dream of a well-educated, empowered Clinetown is no longer a distant vision—it is becoming a reality.
