Story of Philip S Mansaray

Since joining School for Life in 2003, Philip has taught so much more than curriculum. He gives our students lessons in resilience, courage, and determination by sharing his personal journey

Born in Kenema, Philip was raised by his mother after she has separated. Philip talked about the hardship he and his siblings went through and having to witness his mother carries water to sell so that they can get a good education. He also talked about not having his father around and not knowing his where about makes it hard as the oldest in the family to help his mother and his siblings.

Philip talked about sometimes how he was not allowed in school because the mother was unable to pay school fees for him and his two sisters. Philip watched his friends go off to school every day. He wished he would be able to do the same. Philip would go out and beg for money and save it so he could assist his mother to help provide for his younger sisters. He would sell water after school every day to make sure his sisters do not go through the same experience.

Finally, after a long struggle and many late nights working to sell water after school and doing other labour work on Saturdays and Sundays – he could get himself finish school and went to further his studies at the Teachers College in Free Town and now teaching and helping other students and their families.

"Without Hakeem School Foundation, I and my family would have been left with no education and today, I am able to provide for my family and my sisters are both doing well as we work hard to support our families become self-sufficient."

"We need a hand up not hand out and with your support to provide the kick start we need we will change the entire community and make ignorance a thing of the past," says Philip's Mother.