By christian.conteh@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, Sierra Leone — The Kroo Bay community is abuzz with excitement following the unveiling of a brand-new building for the Kroo Bay Municipal Primary School. For years, parents and children in the area struggled with poor learning conditions, particularly during the rainy season when the old community centre, which had served as the school, became increasingly uninhabitable. Now, with the opening of a new school building, families are filled with hope and optimism for their children’s future.
Mabinty Sankoh, a mother of two who has lived in Kroo Bay for many years, expressed her joy and relief. “Our children have suffered for so long, especially when the rains came. The old community centre was never a good place for learning. This new building is everything to us,” she said, her voice filled with emotion.
James Kamara, another parent, shared his optimism for his son’s education in the new school. “My son used to spend much of his day playing football instead of studying because the old school environment wasn’t conducive to learning. But now, with this proper school building, I believe he will be motivated to focus more on his studies,” Kamara explained.
The official opening of the new school building took place last week, with Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr performing the commissioning ceremony. The project was funded by the Italian philanthropic organization Sustain for Life and implemented by the Sierra Leone Autistic Society, with support from the Freetown City Council.
During the opening ceremony, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr spoke about the importance of the project for both the community and the city’s larger development goals. “I am thrilled to officially open this new school, which is in line with the Freetown City Council’s ‘Transform Freetown – Transforming Lives’ Development Plan for 2024-2028. This initiative focuses on improving early childhood education, basic schooling, and skills training, while also addressing the upgrading of informal settlements,” she said.
The mayor also expressed her gratitude to the key partners involved in the project. “This life-changing intervention would not have been possible without the collaboration of Sustain for Life, the Sierra Leone Autistic Society, and the Kroo Bay community. I am deeply thankful for their dedication to creating a better future for our children,” she added.
For the families of Kroo Bay, the new school building represents not just a physical structure, but a symbol of hope, stability, and a brighter educational future. The arrival of this new facility has already sparked a renewed sense of commitment to learning within the community, as parents and students look forward to a more promising tomorrow.
This milestone marks a significant step forward for education in the area and serves as a testament to the power of collaboration and community-driven development. With improved infrastructure and a stronger focus on education, the children of Kroo Bay are now better positioned to achieve their full potential. CC/6/11/2024
