WOFHRAD Moves to Address School Furniture Shortages in Karene District
Aminata Koroma The Women’s Forum for Human Rights and Democracy (WOFHRAD), with funding support from ActionAid Sierra Leone, has donated 200 fabricated wooden benches to three schools in Sella Limba Chiefdom, Karene District, as part of efforts to address furniture shortages and improve learning conditions.
The donation was presented on Thursday, 29th October 2026, benefiting schools in Kakamba, Masankorie and Kadimba communities.
Under the distribution arrangement, Kakamba received 100 benches, with 50 allocated to its primary school and 50 to its secondary school. Masankorie and Kadimba communities each received 50 benches.
Speaking during the presentation, WOFHRAD Project Officer Henrietta M. Bangura said the intervention followed concerns raised by schools during community engagements over inadequate furniture for pupils and students.
She explained that the shortage had affected teaching and learning, particularly at a school approved as an external examination centre, where students had previously been forced to travel long distances to Kamakwie to sit some examinations.
Bangura said the initiative aligns with the Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to promoting quality and inclusive education, reaffirming WOFHRAD’s determination to work with partners and communities to create better learning opportunities for children.
“Together, let us invest in education and build a brighter future,” she urged.
Meanwhile, Albert Allen Kargbo, Proprietor of Magbonkoni II Community Secondary School in Kakamba, welcomed the intervention, describing it as significant relief for the institution.
He recalled the difficulties the school encountered during recent external examinations, when it had to borrow benches from the primary school to accommodate examination candidates.
According to Kargbo, the situation sometimes forced primary school pupils to miss classes because their benches were being used by examination candidates.
He expressed appreciation to WOFHRAD and ActionAid Sierra Leone, while calling for further support to schools facing similar challenges.
“Investing in schools like ours through this intervention is a massive deal, and we look forward to more support,” he stated.
WOFHRAD and ActionAid Sierra Leone have also collaborated on similar interventions in Bombali District as part of their broader efforts to support communities and contribute to national development.