Rotary Foundation at Work in Bumpe

Rotary International is a service club with about 1.2 million members and a commitment to community service around the world through its charitable wing, The Rotary Foundation. Rotary recently joined the Kposowa Foundation's efforts to improve life in Bumpe, Sierra Leone with a grant for a water project. When East Bremerton (WA) Rotarian Kim Zook met Sarah at a meeting and heard about the foundation's work, he invited her to travel to the Seattle area for a brief but successful series of talks and fundraisers. When Sarah's Dad (a Morgantown North Rotarian in WV) heard about this effort, and also learned that one of Sierra Leone's two Rotary Clubs is in Bo, just 25 km from Bumpe, he wondered if a Rotary Foundation matching grant might be feasible. Matching grants require 'hands-on' cooperative work by a host (In-country) club and one or more International partner(s).

After Jim and Kim discussed possibilities, Jim reached Dr. Andrew Muana of the Bo Rotary Club in Sierra Leone. When he expressed interest in a water project on behalf of Bo Rotary, we had then, the makings of a Matching Grant project; two interested U.S. clubs and a host club located quite near the Bumpe chiefdom where clean, available water is among the many pressing needs.
Contributions from the two U.S. Rotary Clubs were matched by Rotary District funds, and the total was matched by The Rotary Foundation. The project was recently approved and provides just over $50,000 to fund construction of new wells. Currently the Rotary partners are working with Joseph Kposowa and the Bumpe chiefdom to get work underway. These wells will supply safe, accessible water for many Bumpe residents who now spend many hours carrying water long distances.

Holiday Wishes 2008

[click on photo to see a larger version]

The Kposowa Foundation would like to wish everyone
a Happy Holidays!!

We'll see you in 2009!

Julie Veronica Anne Basu (Part II)

Last week we introduced you to Julie Veronica Anne Basu, a student at Bumpe High School. She is 19 years old, loves studying government, and dreams of becoming a lawyer. Watch the video to learn what a typical day is like for her. Continue reading to learn more about Julie's inspiration- Christina Thorpe.

You may not be familiar with Christina Thorpe, but in Sierra Leone- a country with a female youth literacy rate of 37% (in comparison to a 60% literacy rate for male youth)- she is a hero for many girls like Julie.

Ms. Thorpe has spent her life educating many in Sierra Leone. She began as headmistress at a Catholic secondary school (and also was a nun), later became Minister of Education and the only woman in a government cabinet of 19, and went on to found Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), which raises awareness about the impact of education for women and works with NGOs to promote access, retention and performance of girls in schools.

In Sierra Leone, women with even a few years of basic education have smaller, healthier families; are more likely to be able to work their way out of poverty and are more likely to send their own children- girls and boys- to school.

BBC article on Christina Thorpe (click here)

Meet Our Bumpe High School Student

We are excited to introduce Julie Veronica Anne Basu. She is 19 years old and attends Bumpe High School. Watch the video to learn about her dreams for the future.

Some of you may be wondering why some of the students we have featured on the blog are older than 18, as in the U.S. nearly all students have graduated by that age. As most schools were closed during the 11 year war, it is common for high schools in Sierra Leone to have students as old as 20.


Holiday Gift Idea: Make a donation to The Kposowa Foundation on behalf of a loved one this year. Click the PayPal icon below to donate today.

Q&A: How do you say "Kposowa"?

Thank you to everyone who visited our blog and to those who gave us feedback!

We hope this blog will provide all of you with the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about The Kposowa Foundation and let us know what you think about the foundation and topics presented here on the blog. We also hope to feature some Q&As on here in the near future.


One of the questions we frequently receive is: How do you pronounce "Kposowa" and what does it mean?

PA-SOW-AH. The trick to correctly pronouncing "Kposowa" is remembering that the "K" is silent.

The name Kposowa was chosen for the foundation because it is Sarah's family name in Sierra Leone. The Kposowa Foundation was founded with the intention of rebuilding Bumpe High School. Sarah's grandfather, Paramount Chief Francis Kposowa, was a co-founder of Bumpe High School and today Sarah's father, Joseph Konia Kposowa is the principal.



Holiday Gift Idea: Make it count! Make a donation to The Kposowa Foundation on behalf of a loved one this year. Click the PayPal icon below to donate today.