I initially met Ibrahim Kamala through project work in iEARN, International Education and Resource Network. iEARN’s continuing mission is to support teachers and students in collaborative global projects that they themselves create and maintain. In facilitating the project Finding Solutions to Hunger, Ibrahim and I began to work together with our students almost a decade ago, his in Sierra Leone and mine in Philadelphia. The more I learned of his commitment, and that of his community in Freetown to establish both a sustainable farm and a permanent school for the children, the greater became my desire to support these efforts.
Ultimately becoming involved in SHARP outside of the educational world was my natural next step. At that same time, my grandson, Jude, after studying the UN Sustainability Goals at Greene Street Friends School in Philadelphia, became involved on his own as a fundraiser in particular support of Goal 3: Zero Hunger by 2030. To this day he continues to raise funds for seeds and now for building supplies through the sale of his handmade greeting cards and placemats.
SHARP’s commitment to Ibrahim’s work and to the people of Freetown remains ongoing and strong. Jude and I are humbled to be part of its efforts.
ABOUT SHARP
SHARP (Safe Haven Adaptive Response Program) and Empowering Children Schools is a 501c3 charity supporting a four-pronged mission in Sierra Leone, including education, agriculture, disaster relief, and safe housing.
The mission of SHARP is to eliminate poverty and socio-economic barriers to well-being caused by climate vulnerability in Sierra Leone.
✏️ Our school in Freetown has been operating for over a decade and provides an education for the children of the flood prone and impoverished communities. We currently have 206 students enrolled. Our students consistently earn high scores on required national exams.
⛏️ We have an agriculture program that provides seed and tool loans for 40 small farmers and sustainable agriculture training for 89 small farmers. This allows them to earn an income and provide food for their families. Many of our farmers are single mothers.
⛈️ During the rainy seasons flood waters can rush through the community quickly, as it is in a low lying channel to the sea. We provide disaster relief during times of flooding. Our disaster response team can move quickly into the community, providing dry clothing and bedding, food, toiletries, and rain coats.
🏘️ Disaster relief is necessary, but is not a long-term solution. We have acquired 50 acres of land out of the flood zone and have the long-range goal of relocating families to safe housing.
