Your faithful leadership and generosity are opening doors of hope and opportunity for girls in Sierra Leone.
Not long ago, we shared a vision: to break the vicious cycle of poverty through the undeniable power of girls’ education. And while many girls still await their chance, today we celebrate the incredible impact your congregation’s profound love is making possible.
Educated girls truly do change the world Because of congregations like yours, barriers to education are being broken, and young women once held back by poverty are now thriving in the classroom. Your support equips them not only with knowledge, but also with the care and confidence needed to shape their futures and uplift their communities.
Thank you for your steadfast partnership and uniting to achieve extraordinary things together.
In Christ,
REV. LISA KIPP Director of Congregational Engagement
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! REACHING GIRLS IN SIERRA LEONE THROUGH EDUCATION
At Lutheran World Relief, some would say our dreams for the future are ambitious. And we fully admit they are. But we are in the business of realizing potential. Our drive runs fiercely throughout our Lutheran faith, and walking with us every step to create these realities are congregations like yours.
Together, we are empowering our most vulnerable neighbors to live their fullest, healthiest lives.
LIKE GIRLS IN SIERRA LEONE.
Earlier this year, we challenged congregations to help us reach 1,000 more girls with an education in 2026. And while the year has not yet closed, girls are making remarkable strides.
Here’s what the support of congregations like yours and other compassionate donors are making possible:
2x
2,100 girls reached across 78 schools in 5 districts in our second year. (That’s DOUBLE the number of girls supported in our first year)
With your support, we’ve provided nearly 14,000 cash transfers to date. This enables families to not only get their daughters in school, but to keep them there, by covering essentials like food, uniforms and transportation. As a result, attendance is soaring.
And benefits are rippling outward. In addition to paying for school, families are using this stability to launch small businesses, enroll younger siblings, and ensure sustainable access to nourishing food.
The need is still great. But because of congregations like yours, we are now dreaming even bigger, exploring how to change even MORE lives.
Together, we are helping girls in Sierra Leone stay in school.
WHAT’S NEXT
In Sierra Leone, we hope to extend into secondary schools dropout and early marriage spike and to reach vulnerable boys living with disabilities.
We also hope to expand to areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo labor is especially prevalent, and Nigeria, where we have worked for many years.
You are changing lives through the undeniable power of education. And we are just getting started. Thank you for rising to the challenge. WHO WILL YOUR LOVE REACH NEXT?
FINALLY FREE TO GO TO SCHOOL
Growing up in Sierra Leone, Aminata Kamara faced unfathomable trauma. Forced to marry her abuser, she left school at only 12 years old, giving birth to her daughter Kadiatu that same year. She dreamed of giving her daughter an education and a brighter future than the one she faced.
I want Kadiatu to learn so that after she finishes school, she can find a future.” — Aminata Kamara
With the help of monthly cash transfers, Aminata has not only been able to ensure Kadiatu — now 12 herself — stays in school, but she’s also attending right alongside her.
The road ahead is still filled with challenges. But today they are a success story in progress — and your generosity is helping them write it WATCH THEIR STORY HERE.
God has blessed us to be a blessing. Educating girls in Sierra Leone is one powerful way our congregation responds to that call."
— Pastor Rob Henderson
Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, took on a Lenten challenge to educate girls — and by Easter, had supported 77 girls. (That’s more than $26,000!) Children from the church measured the congregation’s progress with apples! Read this story and more at lwr.org/congregations.
Aminata and her daughter Kadiatu have hope in their future now that they are both in school.
Senior Education Advisor Hannah Graham shares how girls in Sierra Leone are making remarkable strides.
PARTNERING FOR SUCCESS
Just as the power of your love is multiplied when joined with other congregations, we can better reach girls through partnerships. While cash assistance helps girls stay in school, complex challenges often require more personalized care. Together with our local partners, girls can reach their full potential both in and out of the classroom
Some of these kids have never had people who showed them that they’re loved and cared for. Through this program ... someone cares.”
– Conrad Sackey, Minister of Education
A strong advocate for the most vulnerable, the minister supports policies that ensure everyone has a chance to learn.
“They see me as a sister, someone they can confide in. I know what it feels like having someone who’s like a mentor to you and who gives you confidence that you can become someone tomorrow.”
– Mary Kamara, LWR Field Officer
Mary is a changemaker, earning her master's degree despite growing up in extreme poverty.
“We do not only focus on girls, we also talk to the boys because they’re there to also listen and know how to treat a woman."
– Jemilatu Koroma, Human Rights Officer
Human Rights Commission Sierra Leone educates citizens about their rights and coordinates with Rainbo Initiative to address and refer cases of abuse.
We follow up not only on their health, but also to make sure that we integrate them back in their society ... If we are not supporting them at home, it will be very, very difficult for them to come out of the abuse.”
– Bob Lamin, Communications & Advocacy Manager
Rainbo Initiative provides free medical services and psychosocial services for survivors of violence and abuse.
Congregations like yours make this and other transformative work possible. THANK YOU!
