From Bricks to Books: A Giving Tuesday Conversation That Can Change A Child’s Future

Most people think Seattle-based NGO, Schools for Salone (SfS), builds schools. That’s true, but that’s only 10 percent of the story. The real impact lies in what happens after.  

As the year draws to a close, SfS is calling its community of supporters to mark their calendars for a vital moment of reflection, connection, and impact. A Giving Tuesday webinar will be held on December 2nd, 2025 at 9:30 AM under the theme, “From Bricks to Books: Driving Academic Excellence in Last-Mile Communities.” 

The webinar aims to explore how real academic excellence can reach children in Sierra Leone’s hardest-to-reach communities and why now is the moment to double down on support. 

“We want to talk about our integrated approach to helping kids get a great education. That means we don’t only talk about building schools but looking at what happens inside the classroom as well. We want kids to have access to a safe school building, trained and qualified teachers and support girls to stay in school and finish their education,” Allison Sinning, the Executive Director of SfS explained.  

Why This Giving Tuesday Webinar Matters

For SfS, building schools has never been the finish line. As Sinning says, “Our support for school communities goes beyond construction. We offer professional development for teachers,  and  provide essential resources like school supplies  and bicycles for long-commuter students. Another key focus is to ensure  girls have  menstrual hygiene  resources, which helps them stay in school and continue their education, alongside other initiatives.”

SfS is passionate about reaching last mile communities. These communities are difficult to get to with limited resources . This makes SfS’ support to the teachers, students, and school communities even more vital and Sierra Leone’s education landscape underscores just how pressing this work is. 

Students in SfS partner school riding to school in Koromasilaia

Many children in rural areas face steep hurdles when it comes to education. UNICEF reports that 18 percent of primary-aged children, 19 percent of junior secondary school children, and 36 percent of senior secondary school students remain out of school. In rural districts like Falaba, where SfS has presence, school access is even more limited. 

Furthermore, despite progress, only about 61 percent of primary school teachers in Sierra Leone are trained, with rural areas disproportionally affected. These statistics make SfS’s emphasis on teacher training and community support all the more urgent. 

Who Are The Speakers for the Webinar

This Giving Tuesday event will be hosted by Sierra Leonean Digital Communications Expert, Vickie Remoe. Executive Director Allison Sinning will also be speaking and joining her will be:

Clinton Caulker

Caulker is SfS’s Program Manager who works directly with schools, teachers and communities in Koinadugu and the Falaba Districts. He supports SfS in providing school supplies, bikes, and helping schools deal with their challenges especially in the beginning phases. 

Ken Lans

Lans is a longtime SfS supporter and donor who has funded and supported two schools in the Falaba District. With Lans’s experience and generosity, his voice will remind the audience of the powerful role donors can play in transformational change. 

Why You Should Give And Join the Conversation

SfS is also looking to raise funds to help support various projects coming up next year. The goal is to raise $45,000 by the end of 2025. These funds will support: 

• SfS’s partner, The Learning Foundation’s work to train teachers in effective literacy and reading comprehension skills and also support reading clubs to help struggling readers in primary and junior secondary schools.
• Sexual and reproductive health education, including menstrual hygiene via partner organization Uman Tok,  engaging both students and parents. 
• Practical support to SfS-partnered schools by providing school supplies, bikes, and other problem-solving items throughout the academic year. 

Participating in this Giving Tuesday webinar offers more than just a view of SfS’s impact and a chance to connect; it is an opportunity to actively contribute to a system that positively transforms a child’s life. By supporting SfS, donors help enable not just physical buildings but academic excellence, teacher capacity, and community infrastructure needed to unlock full potential in remote Sierra Leonean communities. 

Some students in an SfS partner school in Koromasilaia

How Can You Participate

• Register here:https://shorturl.at/oEOL1
• Spread the news: Invite friends, family, and peers who care about education, girls’ empowerment, and sustainable development.
• Tune in: December 2nd, 2025 at 9:30 AM EST
• Give: Contribute towards the $45,000 goal. Every gift matters, especially in communities where a single bicycle can mean a child stays in school and completes their education with little hurdles. 

We can’t wait to see you there!