By: Audrey Raymonda John
The Unity Forum/Love Flows Empowerment Organization on Monday, September 7, 2026, handed over four renovated classrooms and two hand sanitizer stands to the management of SOS Hermann Gmeiner International School in Lumley, Freetown.
The handover ceremony, held at the school compound along Beach Road, brought together school authorities, teachers, pupils, members of the Unity Forum/Love Flows Empowerment, and other stakeholders.
Unity Forum/Love Flows Empowerment was established by former SOS children who benefited from the SOS Children’s Villages programme and later decided to give back to the institution that supported them.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice Principal of SOS Hermann Gmeiner International School, Mr. Bailey, expressed appreciation for the initiative, saying the school would remain grateful to everyone whose efforts and support had contributed to strengthening the school community.
He said the teachers would demonstrate their commitment through collective efforts and financial contributions to help sustain development initiatives undertaken by the Unity Forum/Love Flows Empowerment.
Mr. Bailey further stated that the national directorate of SOS Children’s Villages remained committed to supporting initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development in education.
According to him, the renovated classrooms would enable teachers and pupils to conduct teaching and learning in a safer, more comfortable, and conducive environment.
He described the handover as an important milestone in the school’s academic development and encouraged stakeholders to continue working together to create an environment that promotes quality education and the overall development of pupils.
Mr. Bailey also expressed satisfaction that renovation work on other blocks of the school was already underway, noting that teachers looked forward to their completion. He thanked the Unity Forum/Love Flows Empowerment for its support and commitment to the development of the school.
The National Coordinator of SOS Children’s Villages Sierra Leone, Mr. Perarie, also expressed appreciation on behalf of the school management, staff, and pupils, describing the project as a remarkable contribution to the development of the institution.
He said the renovation of the classrooms demonstrated the Unity Forum/Love Flows Empowerment’s commitment to giving back to SOS Children’s Villages and supporting quality education.
Mr. Perarie noted that the renovated classrooms would provide teachers and pupils with a safer, more comfortable, and conducive learning environment, which he said would positively contribute to the pupils’ academic performance and well-being.
He assured the organization that the school would properly maintain the classrooms and ensure that they were used for their intended purpose.
He also called on other alumni members, stakeholders, partners, and well-wishers to join the initiative and contribute to the continued development of the school.
Meanwhile, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Unity Forum/Love Flows Empowerment, Madam Aminata Koroma, in a statement read on her behalf by Onette Turai, expressed gratitude to God for bringing members together to celebrate what she described as a memorable occasion.
Madam Koroma said members of the organization had demonstrated the importance of giving back and playing their part in the development of SOS Children’s Villages.
She said the project was a clear demonstration of what could be achieved through unity, teamwork, and collective commitment.
According to her, the collaboration would help create a brighter and more sustainable future for pupils by providing them with a safer, more comfortable, and conducive learning environment.
Madam Koroma reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting SOS Children’s Villages, noting that renovation work on other blocks of the school was already in progress.
She said the forum would continue to contribute its energy, commitment, and resources towards the successful completion of the project.
Madam Koroma described the gathering as a celebration of a memorable achievement and expressed hope that the project would continue to bring hope, opportunity, and a brighter future to pupils and the wider community.
The ceremony concluded with renewed calls for continued collaboration among alumni, school authorities, stakeholders, partners, and well-wishers to support education and improve the learning environment for pupils.
The renovated building was dedicated by Reverend Dove, after which the keys to the classrooms were formally handed over to the school authorities.