In 2023, One Girl made remarkable strides in empowering girls through education in Sierra Leone's Freetown and Tonkolili Districts.

In 2023, One Girl supported 162 girls across 25 schools, providing them with essential school kits, life skills, and health education. One Girl also ensured scholars had access to crucial resources like sanitary pads and daily meals.

Regular visits from field officers and extra tuition from dedicated teachers helped these girls overcome obstacles and stay on course.

This year, 35 girls graduated from secondary school, with 5 earning top grades and gaining university acceptance. 

One Girl also launched the Girl Power Pilot in Australia, in collaboration with the Yalu Aboriginal Corporation and the Bambuddha Group.

This transformative 5-day camp for 30 adolescent girls provided a space to support and empower young women and girls in Galiwinku. The initiative also laid the groundwork for a future cultural exchange, opening the door for two Yolngu women to visit Sierra Leone in early 2024. 

All of these achievements were made possible by the unwavering support from the One Girl community. We are deeply grateful to the team, volunteers, interns, corporate partners, and One Girl donors who chose to step up and support girls' access to education in 2023. 

We look forward to continuing this important work, ensuring that all girls, no matter their background, can access their right to an education.

Thank you for being part of this journey! Together, we are creating a brighter future for girls through education and empowerment.

 the One Girl Team

Imagine having to walk six hours every day just to get to and from school. It’s a staggering journey, yet this is the daily reality for many girls living in rural Sierra Leone, including Adama* and her friends.

Adama lives in a remote area in the Tonkolili District, where the rugged terrain and seasonal flooding make public transportation nonexistent. Despite these challenges, Adama remains unwavering in her determination to pursue an education.

“I come from a small village in Sierra Leone, and my family could not afford to send me to school, so I was lucky enough to join One Girl,” Adama shares.

“I walk 14 miles a day to get to and from school. It takes me three hours to get to school in the morning and the same to walk back home. My shoes are falling apart and are very uncomfortable. Sometimes, I take them off and go barefoot.

I love going to school because I want to study hard so that I can graduate and go to university one day. It is my dream to become a medical doctor and to inspire other girls.”

Kadiatu, a One Girl Field Officer in rural Sierra Leone, sheds light on just how difficult it is for girls like Adama to access education:

“The situation in Sierra Leone presently is not favorable, especially in that part of the country, Mile 91, where we are based. It's very difficult when it comes to electricity, food, everything is so expensive, and it's very difficult. Most girls go to school without even eating anything. And also, they travel miles to get to school. Sometimes, before reaching the schools, their feet are covered in dust from the roads and everything.”

Adama’s sheer determination to make the journey to school every day leaves us in awe. She is quite literally walking through the barriers that make accessing an education so challenging.

Thanks to our wonderful donors, in hearing about Adama's journey, together we raised $137,000 in our EOFY Appeal, enabling us to continue providing holistic support to scholars both inside and outside the classroom.

We were able to quickly provide comfortable walking shoes, school materials, lunch money, sanitary pads, and assistance with getting to school.

Additionally, your donations allowed us to continue supporting scholars by offering extra support through our monthly meetings, empowering girls to overcome challenges, break down barriers, and reach their full potential.

Your support is making a world of difference for girls like Adama, who are determined to change their future despite the odds. Thank you for helping them take each step forward.

*Name changed to protect identity.

Introducing One Girl Alumni, Yenor, whose journey from a hopeful student to a determined advocate for girls and women is a testament to the impact of the One Girl program.

During her seven years as a One Girl scholar, Yenor received crucial support that enabled her to thrive:

“One Girl gave me lunch, paid my school fees, lesson fees, provide all my needs, including bags, shoes, uniform per academic year, two uniforms per academic year, socks, geometry set and all of my materials used in school,” Yenor recalls.

This support helped her achieve many of her dreams and provided stability during her formative years.

“Throughout the 7 years of being a scholar for One Girl, it has been an amazing experience. One Girl helped me to achieve most of my dreams, and helped me to pay all of my bills and assist me when I go to school. If not for One Girl, I don’t know where I would be now.”

Yenor’s passion for supporting girls and advocating for women drives her future aspirations.

“Right now in my life, I am a student of IPAM, studying Public Sector Management. I have the passion to work for girls, stand for them and talk for women.”

While pursuing her degree, Yenor has also ventured into cake decorating, a side job she took up after being inspired by a training organised by One Girl.

“The training encouraged us to learn a side job, and cake decoration has helped me earn money and pay my university fees,” she says.

Thanks to the incredible support of our donors, Yenor is now at University fearlessly pursuing her dreams.

With her blend of savvy, bright spirit, and determination, Yenor embodies the One Girl effect—empowering young women to create positive change in their communities and beyond.

We couldn’t be prouder of this smart and determined young woman. Go Yenor!