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An Introduction to Sierra Leone

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The Alec Russell Education Trust (ARET) SCIO is a grant giving programme that aims to increase educational attainment for children and young adults living in the developing world. Primarily, although not exclusively, ARET will help to fund projects that improve access to education and increase educational attainment within Sierra Leone.The Trust was established in memory of Alec Russell who, through his philanthropic approach, supported many of the children that he encountered on his travels to improve their own futures. In his honour, ARET provides funding to ensure that his commitment to the advancement of education is continued through the generations of his family.

News from Sierra Leone

Alec Russell Education Trust

Naminatu is sponsored by our friends in Shetland. She has been praying for this opportunity for a long time. She looks happy and confident as she sits her first year teacher training exams. Thank you Julia and friends and Unite Oil and Gas Sullom Voe Terminal. Thanks also go to Alpha Kallon who has been mentoring her through the first year.

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Alec Russell Education Trust

Jane has many titles. The most recent is Head Gardner at Shieldra School. There is some fertile land around Shieldra School perimeter which the school rent during sowing seasons. The pupils, led by Jane and teachers, are learning to sow and harvest crops. The children are harvesting cassava and the rice and groundnut shoots are just showing through. The harvest will supplement the children’s lunches.

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Alec Russell Education Trust

For everyone who donates or crafts items for Afri-Scot you may be interested to know how goods are sold to raise funds for Shieldra School Lunches. The lunches not only mean better performance by the pupils but also improved attendance. Two parents, Hawa and Mary, (Hawa is the taller lady in the picture) carry baskets on their heads to various market areas in outer communities. It takes them two weeks to sell all the items. They are given a small percentage of their takings to buy food and water during the working day.They each have a daughter at Shieldra School. Alima is the taller of the two girls. She is Mary’s daughter. Hawa’s daughter is named Aminata. In the final photo they are returning from market accompanied by Mary’s sister Loveta who is also helping.
Unfortunately as the war in Ukraine is having an effect on countries as far away as Sierra Leone inflation is running high and lunches are not provided each day.

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Alec Russell Education Trust

Despite a few hiccups the last shipment has finally reached its destination, Amputee Village. DElivered by Abdulai and received by Jane. We hope the contents of the very large box will be useful.