Bikes in Bumpe

Bumpe High school has just acquired fifteen bicycles for use by students who have been walking long distances to the school.  When we learned here in Morgantown, WV, that the Village Bicycle Project was distributing bikes and training in Ghana (and Sierra Leone!), we contacted them to inquire about some Bikes for Bumpe!  Dave Pelham responded quickly with information about their bike workshops and sales programs.

It was fortuitous that some dedicated donors at Wesley United Methodist Church in Morgantown had a buckful of pocket change they had collected to help make "Change in Bumpe".  A generous anonymous donor added some larger bills to the pot and the total contribution was adequate to fund costs of a full day bicycle workshop in Bumpe including purchase of the bicycles.  Hindo Kposowa assisted as Dave (VBP)  arrived with bicycles and tools to spend the day teaching students and others how to maintain, repair and ride bicycles.  Bikes can now be checked out by responsible students who will use them for their trip to and from school. The smiles in the photos make it clear that everyone is delighted with this new program.

Sierra Leone Celebrates 50 Years of Independence

On April 27th Sierra Leone celebrated her 50th Independence Anniversary. Celebrations will continue throughout the year to commemorate the golden jubilee. The theme of the anniversary is "50 Years Forward-Celebrating a New Sierra Leone" and encompasses a vision of unity in diversity focused on development and growth. The festivities celebrate the unique attributes that set Sierra Leone apart as a nation, reinforce a sense of pride and patriotism, and help people rediscover the things that keep Sierra Leoneans united.

We at the Kposowa Foundation wish the nation of Sierra Leone a very happy anniversary!

Radio Interview with Sarah Culberson

This month Sarah Culberson was interviewed on the Joy Keys radio show along with actor and activist Isaiah Washington. Like Sarah, Washington has a genetic link to the Mende people of Sierra Leone and works to promote positive improvements for the people of Sierra Leone. Listen to the interview here!

The Dominion Post features the Kposowa Foundation

The Dominion Post in Morgantown, WV featured an article about Sarah Culberson and the recent trip to Bumpe. The article highlights the Foundation and the wonderful experience enjoyed by the Oakwood students. View the entire article here!

Connecting Oakwood & Bumpe Students

The Kposowa Foundation would like to thank you for your continuing support and involvement. Your investments make a tremendous difference in the lives of young people in Sierra Leone and allow us to positively impact the lives of Bumpe students. With your support, they can enter a hopeful and happy future with growing optimism. Thank you for being a valuable part of this journey! 

This January, the Kposowa Foundation, in partnership with Oakwood School in Southern California led a global service learning trip to Sierra Leone. The eight-student delegation along with representatives of Oakwood School and the Kposowa Foundation toured the major urban centers of Bo and Freetown. However, the primary activities involved engaging with students at Bumpe High School; together students painted a large world mural on the outside library wall, constructed a new Bumpe High School sign, and worked with primary school students on an art project. Connecting students from two different countries was a life changing experience for everyone.  Teenagers and primary school students from different parts of the world came together through art, soccer, and games. It was wonderful to watch them as they connected, almost as if they already knew each other.

 The project was truly an extraordinary educational encounter for all the students, including those from Oakwood School in California and those at Bumpe HS in Sierra Leone.