So, I had my own 30 seconds of fame, as I suddenly appeared on the cover page of the Schweizer Familie, as well as the article about Sierra Leone being chosen as one of 12 best articles of the year 2018. If you speak German, enjoy:
Artikel in Schweizer Familie: “Ich will hier bleiben”
Nothing feels more satisfying and makes happier than seeing the outcome of an idea that the CIA school and the SCHRAMM Connection had two years ago. Persistent fundraising, generous donors, including Noemi’s old Kantonsschule in Kreuzlingen, and a lot of community efforts contributed to the newly built library at the CIA school in Nyandeyama. The library has received a first stock of youth and young adults books from a book drive in the US, and the SCHRAMM Connection will add textbooks to the selection. Madam Margaret Suwu organised shelves from the local supermarket, and the local carpenter is still working on more tables and chairs, that will allow the students to use the library as a learning and resource center. Watch for yourself: video
This is the annual report submitted by the CIA school:
UPDATE ON THE SCHOOL –April 2015-April 2016
BACKGROUND:
Community Initiative Academy started as a community concern expressed by 80% of parents in the Nyandeyama Community on the following grounds:
ACTIVITIES: The inaugural meeting for the establishment of the school was held by the founding members and key stakeholders of the Nyandeyama community on the 7th April 2010; the founding members include:
Community Stakeholders include:
The foundation for the Three-classroom block was laid on the 8th May 2010, with funds raised from contributions made by founding members.
The structure was raised to wall height and roofed in August 2010 with funds from the proprietor and donations from appeal letters sent to community stakeholders. Initial fund for the fourth classroom was donated by Hon. P. C Madam Mamie G. Gamanga (Le 1,000,000.00). This four-classroom structure was used for classes in it unfinished state for three years.
The payment of stipend for teachers and finishing of the school building remained a huge challenge for the school Management.
The Management of the school continued to send out appeal letters to various organisations and individuals. It was such a letter that was responded to by Noemi Schramm.
They have raised support among friends and family in Switzerland and have subsequently been able to support the payment of stipend to 12 teachers in the school since May 2015 to date. They also funded the finishing of the four-classroom building in April 2015 and supported the one-side facing of the school compound and fixing of the gate at the entrance in 2016.
The generous donors from Switzerland also made a special donation of one million Leones towards the excellent performance of pupils at the 2014 BECE National exams.
In cooperation with Noemi, we have also sent in an application for school Library to African Library Project of Rise Network.
The Section Chief has promised to provide additional land space for the construction of the Library. Several other stakeholders have given their support to the development of the school. Skilled personnel like masons, carpenters, painters and plumbers have rendered their services. Community youths have also provided unskilled labour.
Parents, through their PTA organisations have supported the school in their own way.
The Section Chief has promised the people of Nyandeyama, the provision of quality Education for the children in his community. (I will continue to lobby for support he lamented)
The teachers remain committed to teaching as a result of the payment of stipends. They are still awaiting Government recruitment / approval for payment of salaries. It is yet too frustrating for teachers who have taught for six years without Government approval. Had it not been the support from our good friends, we wonder what would have been the situation. We just say thank you.
There had also being a steady increase in the enrolment of pupils in the school. This could be looked at as achievement, but the other side is the need for expansion; additional classrooms, more furniture and more teachers.
The National exam (BECE) is coming up in July for this year. It is the fourth set of pupils for the exam and with the highest number of pupils. This means more efforts on the side of the teachers, which also demands adequate incentives.
However, amidst all of these there is great hope ahead.
Faithfully submitted
Margaret Suwu
14-4-2016
The brain behind the CIA: Madam Suwu
The CIA school in Kenema has been busy fixing the roof and remaining two classrooms, as well as the latrine. It also gave the whole building a lovely blue coat! Look at the pictures for some impressions.
The teachers received part of their salaries (they shared the money we sent to them) and are super happy – they say THANKS!
Die CIA Schule in Kenema war die letzten Wochen sehr beschäftigt mit der Fertigstellung des Daches, der letzten zwei Klassenzimmer und der Latrine. Sie haben die ganze Schule wunderschön blau angemalt! Schaut euch die Bilder an für mehr Eindrücke.
Die Lehrer haben teil ihres Lohnes erhalten (sie haben das Geld unter sich geteilt) und sind überglücklich – sie sagen DANKE SCHÖN!!!
A first donation of USD 3,500 has been given to the Principal of CIA to complete their construction. The initial donation also coincided with the signature of the partnership agreement between the CIA school and the Schramm Connection.
We aim to be as transparent as possible and will keep bureaucracy at a minimum. We are a small organisation and are connected in passion and love – hence the low-level organisation. Any items that you would like to donate (e.g. mobile phones, glasses, USB sticks, laptops, etc), get in touch with Noemi. Any financial support is always welcome, please donate via paypal or ask for the designated bank account for a standing order setup.
Wir wollen so transparent wie möglich sein und werden daher den administrativen Aufwand so klein wie moeglich halten.
Als kleine Organisation, die vor allem aus persönlichen Kontakten gewachsen ist, wird die Administration klein gehalten – wir bitten um Verständnis! Falls ihr gerne andere Dinge spenden möchtet – Handys, Brillengestelle, USB Speichersticks, Laptops oder ähnliches – meldet euch direkt bei Noemi! Spenden am besten ueber Paypal, einfach hier klicken (fuer Bankdaten fuer Dauerauftraege meldet euch bei mir):
DANKE vielmals, ihr lieben! Merci tuusig!
Ibrahim is a young professional working as a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. He has a one year old son (and obviously future great football player) called Ibrahim Junior and a very smart wife named Hawa. He was quarantined in January 2015 because there were two Ebola cases in his compound. Food was supplied to him during the 21 days, but no provisions were made for Ibrahim Junior, who obviously has different needs as a baby. The Schramm Connection provided him with money for baby food and other needed supplies. They were released out of quarantine after 21 days and Ibrahim is happily playing football again for a local club called FC Plantain – and obviously hoping for Ibrahim Junior to join him soon on the football field.
Ibrahim doing his work as Monitoring & Evaluation Officer
Ibrahim and his baby son receiving donated money during their 21 days in quarantine
We are all part of it: passionate and with high potential. The Schramm Connection wants to foster people with these features in Sierra Leone through different projects. This is our platform – welcome! We love to connect with you!
Wir sind alle Teil davon: leidenschaftlich und mit viel Potential. Die Schramm Connection will Leute mit diesen Eigenschaften in Sierra Leone fördern mittels verschiedenen Projekten. Wir freuen uns, mit dir zu connecten!
the SCHRAMM connection 
