A SYMBOL OF HOPE

In Sierra Leone it is custom for all the students to wear uniforms and matching shoes. I believe it is a practice they inherited from the British who colonized Sierra Leone for many years and ultimately initiated their formal education system. While I understood the reasons for CAUSE Kids to provide these items to the students, it wasn’t until I was in a classroom that I understood their significance. Surrounded by grade one students, who like grade one students everywhere can barely contain their energy, we began to call out names to come receive the new uniforms and shoes. Mr. Bangura had carefully measured all the students and local tailors had sewn the small blue and white outfits to fit each individual child. While both the uniforms and shoes were bright and very cute, it was the students who walked carefully to the front of the room that really touched me. As soon as both items were checked to fit, the small grade one kids would clutch them closely to their chest, hurry back to their seat and show their friends. And the next day as the kids wore their new gear to school, their pride was obvious and beaming – especially with the girls. New uniforms and shoes alone will not make a difference for these children and their country, but they are undoubtedly a symbol of the hope and confidence that education provides.



Photos: A few of our future leaders, proud of their new uniforms and ready to take on the world