By Hassan Osman Kargbo
In a landmark event to improve education in rural Sierra Leone, local non-governmental organization Little Steps on Friday, May 30, 2025, officially handed over a newly constructed primary school to the people of Gbonkoboh Kayaka Chiefdom in Koinadugu District, Northern Sierra Leone.
The colorful ceremony attracted chiefdom authorities, community members from surrounding villages, government officials from the education sector, and other well-wishers who gathered to witness the transformation of a once-deprived community into one that now boasts a modern learning facility.
Funded by the Petrucci Family in Rome, Italy, through their partnership with the Italian NGO Fonte Di Saprenza and implemented by Little Steps Sierra Leone, the project has provided the chiefdom with its first proper school structure. Prior to this intervention, Gbonkoboh Kayaka lacked not only a school building but also basic water and sanitation facilities. Pupils previously had to walk long distances to fetch water and used nearby bushes as toilets.
Giving the history behind the project, Peter Bayuku Konteh, former Minister of Works and Public Assets and the pioneer of this initiative, recounted how the vision was born. He shared that during a trip to Italy, he persuaded a friend to support the construction of a school in his home chiefdom. That appeal resulted in the funding provided by the Petrucci Family.
“This is a day of fulfillment for me,” Mr. Konteh said during his address. “With the support of my Italian friends, we have built 10 primary schools, one secondary school, three health centers, several water wells, granted scholarships, and facilitated free surgeries for the poor—all within Koinadugu and Falaba Districts. Rural communities deserve attention, and this is proof that with love and commitment, change is possible.”
The newly built Kawa Catholic Primary School consists of three fully furnished classrooms, an office, a store, teaching and learning materials, a hand-dug water well, and toilet facilities. The school was completed in record time after construction began in February this year.
In addition to handing over the school building, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education presented a set of learning materials to the school. Speaking on behalf of the ministry, Deputy Director for Koinadugu District Yusufu Abdulai Kamara praised Little Steps Sierra Leone for complementing the government’s effort to improve rural education.
“This is impressive work that truly supports our Free Quality Education initiative,” Kamara said. “We now have the task of ensuring qualified teachers are approved for this school. A facility of this standard deserves competent staff to provide the best education to our children.”
The Teaching Service Commission’s representative, Abdul Conteh, also pledged the commission’s commitment to work with the school in managing teachers’ welfare and professional development.
Program Manager for Little Steps, Amadu Tantan Conteh, explained that the organization was established in 2000 to help uplift deprived rural communities in Koinadugu and Falaba. “This project has changed the face of education in this community. Our mission remains to bring development to the doorstep of rural Sierra Leone,” he remarked.
The Paramount Chief of Gbonkoboh Kayaka Chiefdom, PC Almammy Fanah, expressed profound gratitude to Little Steps and the Petrucci Family, describing the project as a “brilliant initiative” that will uplift not just the chiefdom but the entire region. He assured the gathering that his leadership will closely monitor the school’s maintenance and proper use.
Speaking on behalf of the pupils, Class 4 student Adama Kamara shared a heartfelt testimony. “Before today, we sat on sticks under a palm-leaf-covered shelter. Now we are proud owners of a modern school with clean water and toilets. This is a dream come true for all of us.”
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of educational materials, marking a new chapter for the children and people of Gbonkoboh Kayaka Chiefdom.
