Every morning, Idrissa Bangura sets off for S.D.A. Primary School in Maforeka, Sierra Leone.
He takes a bicycle when available; otherwise, he walks long distances under the hot sun. Yet his heaviest burden is not the journey—it is knowing what awaits him in the classroom.
The S.D.A. Primary School in Maforeka is the first school Schools for Salone built in Sierra Leone and Bangura has been there since the beginning. As one of the teachers who has been there from the start, he has witnessed the school and community grow while continuing to show up for his students.
For Bangura, being a teacher means seeing challenges that reach far beyond the classroom. Sometimes Bangura faces challenges with his work, but he doesn’t give up. His reason is simple: He believes in what happens when a teacher keeps showing up.
“One of the moments that makes me proud to be a teacher is when one of my students goes out there to take a public exam and does extremely well and passes that exam. That motivates me because I know that if I continue, I will develop this child and develop the country as a whole,” Bangura shared.
Teaching Through Systemic Challenges
Bangura is a government-paid, PIN-coded educator, yet his official earnings are stretched thin across his large household. “I am a father with nine children, so the money I receive from the government is not enough for me to educate my children because I have so many problems,” he shared.
His situation highlights a systemic reality across Sierra Leone. According to the Teaching Service Commission Sierra Leone, there are approximately 83,000 teachers working across the country. Ensuring these educators receive adequate resources and support to help children learn remains a critical national challenge.
In last-mile rural communities like Maforeka, infrastructure gaps exacerbate these daily hurdles. The village lacks electricity, healthcare facilities are limited, clean water is scarce, and essential teaching supplies from the government frequently arrive late or not at all.
“Teaching materials sometimes do not come on time, so I go the extra mile to improvise,” Bangura noted. “For example, chalk may not come on time, but I use my own method to continue my teaching.”
Yet amid these challenges, Bangura points out another source of motivation: the training and support he received from The Learning Foundation (TLF).
“What gives me motivation to come to school is the training I received from TLF. I learned so much, especially through the Learning Foundation. They have impacted so much knowledge in me for me to continue this learning process in my school and in my class.”
For Bangura, the combination of practical training and continued support gives him another reason to keep showing up.
Why Investment in Teachers Matters
Despite these daunting circumstances, Bangura remains steadfast in his commitment.
“Because I have passion for the work, I continue to do all these things because I want to develop my community and my country as a whole,” he said.
He firmly believes that empowering educators is foundational to every sector of society: “If you want to have a lawyer, doctor, or engineer, they must first be taught by a teacher. I encourage the world to invest in teachers.”
It Takes A Teacher: Stand with Educators
Classrooms need more than four walls—they need dedicated professionals who show up despite every obstacle.
This October, Schools for Salone is hosting It Takes A Teacher in Seattle. This inspiring event brings supporters together to celebrate community heroes like Bangura while raising essential funding for teacher training, literacy programs, and vital learning materials.
You can make a direct impact on classrooms in Sierra Leone. Join us in Seattle this October by securing your early bird tickets. If you cannot attend in person, you can still champion teachers and their students by making a donation to our campaign. Together, we can ensure every teacher has the resources to help children succeed.
