By: Mariama Bundu
On April 19, 2025, a wave of excitement and gratitude swept through the small community of Manthagba Village in the Sanda Tendaran Chiefdom of Karene District, northwest Sierra Leone. The source of this joy was Stanley Bangura Jr., a senior regional journalist representing Africa Global Logistics (AGL), who distributed essential educational materials to the local Freetown Terminal Limited Primary School. This initiative is part of AGL’s ongoing commitment to support education and empower children in some of Sierra Leone's most underserved areas.
Manthagba Village, like many remote regions in Sierra Leone, has faced severe challenges regarding access to quality education. Over the years, the community experienced significant hurdles, with children having to trek five miles daily just to attend school, which often resulted in high dropout rates and diminished interest in education. Recognizing this dilemma, AGL took a proactive stance, and four years ago, the company undertook the construction of the Freetown Terminal Limited Primary School, providing the children with a closer educational facility and a brighter future.
The impact of AGL's intervention has been remarkable. Prior to the establishment of the school, only 90 pupils were enrolled in the area. However, thanks to these efforts, enrollment has skyrocketed to over 300 students, marking a tremendous shift in the educational landscape of the region.
During the recent donation event, Bangura Jr. presented 246 locally made school bags filled with essential learning supplies, including 12 notebooks, three pencils, pens, sharpeners, erasers, and mathematical sets. “All these are for the pupils,” Mr. Bangura emphasized, underscoring the importance of equipping children with the necessary tools for academic success. This was the third round of educational support provided by AGL, further cementing its dedication to the academic development of the youth in the community.
The significance of AGL's contributions didn't stop with the materials. Captain Fabjanko Kokan, AGL’s Country Manager, announced exciting plans for the future, revealing intentions to construct four additional classroom blocks at the school. He also committed to building teacher accommodations—a four-bedroom facility aimed at addressing the daily commuting challenges faced by educators in the area. This dual approach not only enhances the learning environment for students but also ensures that teachers can serve the community more effectively without the burden of long daily travels.
In a gesture of appreciation and encouragement for educators, renowned Sierra Leonean journalist Umaru Fofana and Alhaji Sitta Turay, Information Attaché at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Guinea, pledged to provide four bicycles for the school's teachers. Such commitments exemplify the collaborative spirit of the community and its leaders working together for progress.
The donation event itself was marked by joy and appreciation from students, teachers, parents, and community leaders alike. During the ceremony, Umaru Fofana seized the opportunity to address the gathering, urging parents to prioritize their children's education—especially for girls. He highlighted the issue of early child marriage, reminding attendees that it is now considered a criminal offense. His remarks resonated deeply and served as a call to action for the entire community to remain vigilant against such practices that hinder educational opportunities.
Head Teacher Musa Mohamed Bangura expressed profound gratitude to AGL and Mr. Stanley Bangura Jr. for their generous support. “These materials are very useful to us, and we appreciate them very much,” he stated with sincerity, acknowledging the positive change that such contributions bring to the lives of students.
The excitement continued as a student representative shared her heartfelt thanks on behalf of her peers, exclaiming, “We say plenty of thanks to you for supporting us with these materials!” Her enthusiasm reflected the sentiments of the entire student body and underscored the importance of community engagement in fostering educational growth.
Chairman Mr. Meccah Bangura stepped forward to praise the initiative, calling it a significant step forward. “This support means a lot to us. We are grateful and will ensure that our children make proper use of these materials. In the end, this will help boost their education,” he added, reinforcing the community's commitment to nurturing the next generation.
Other community members echoed similar sentiments, expressing a desire for continued support to bridge the educational resource gap in rural Sierra Leone. The support from AGL has not only provided tangible benefits in terms of school supplies but has also fostered hope and aspiration within the community.
As the event drew to a close, students sang songs of gratitude, filling the air with echoes of hope, unity, and progress. The scene was a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of education and community solidarity. With organizations like Africa Global Logistics stepping up to the plate, the future for Manthagba Village's children looks increasingly bright.
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