By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In a remarkable display of philanthropy and commitment to grassroots educational development, the Bai Bureh Heritage Foundation has provided much-needed seating accommodation for 200 students at the Muhammad-Muhammad Quranic School in Port Loko City. The transformative gesture was made possible through the generous financial support of Musayeroh Barrie, Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority.

Before the intervention, pupils at the school, located on Kambia Road, endured poor learning conditions, sitting on bare, dusty floors and using tarpaulins during lessons. The situation not only posed health risks but also severely hindered the pupils’ ability to concentrate and learn. The intervention forms part of the Foundation’s “Grass to Grace Education Program,” which is designed to uplift Quranic schools struggling with inadequate infrastructure and to promote the value of education among underprivileged children.

The Muhammad-Muhammad Quranic School was selected after a detailed needs assessment conducted by the Bai Bureh Heritage Foundation, which prioritized institutions in critical need of support. The Foundation found the school’s condition to be among the most urgent in Port Loko and acted swiftly to make a difference.

The formal handing-over ceremony took place on Sunday, April 20, 2025. In his keynote address, Amb. Unisa Totti Fofanah, Executive Director of the Bai Bureh Heritage Foundation, thanked Madam Musayeroh Barrie for her compassion and unwavering dedication to community upliftment. He emphasized that her support would have a lasting impact on the children’s educational and spiritual growth.

“Donors like Madam Musayeroh Barrie are the real catalysts for change in our society,” Amb. Unisa Totti Fofanah stated. “By supporting grassroots institutions, they help plant the seeds of knowledge, discipline and hope that will grow into a brighter future for these children.”

The school’s administration and local community leaders expressed deep appreciation for the timely intervention. They praised the Bai Bureh Heritage Foundation’s commitment to community-based development, noting the organization’s consistency in advocating for vulnerable schools and ensuring that critical needs are met through strategic partnerships.

“This donation goes beyond furniture,” said a member of the school’s Management. “It represents dignity for our children. It’s a message that they matter, that their education matters.”

The joy among the pupils was palpable as they sat comfortably on their new desks for the first time. In a touching moment, the children offered heartfelt prayers for Madam Musayeroh Barrie Musayeroh and the Bai Bureh Heritage Foundation, expressing gratitude and invoking divine blessings for their benefactors.

The impact of this initiative goes beyond the walls of the Quranic School. It serves as a powerful reminder of how meaningful and well-directed support can elevate entire communities. By ensuring access to dignified learning spaces, the initiative also contributes to national efforts aimed at improving education in both Islamic and secular institutions.

As more public-spirited individuals and organizations like Musayeroh Barrie join hands with credible community-based Foundations, there is renewed hope for bridging the educational divide in rural and underserved areas. The partnership between the Bai Bureh Heritage Foundation and Madam Musayeroh Barrie exemplifies the power of community-led development in addressing disparities and building a more equitable Sierra Leone.

In the words of Amb. Unisa Totti Fofanah, “When we invest in children, we invest in peace, in progress and in the promise of a better tomorrow.”

  https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/musayeroh-barrie-uplifts-quranic-education-with-seating-for-200-children-in-port-loko/