ACTION FOR CHILD PROTECTION

END OF YEAR REPORT
ON THE WALDORF SCHOOL PROJECT
(DECEMBER 2004)

INTRODUCTION:

The Waldorf school in Sierra Leone currently has an enrolment figure of 50 children, 3 class teachers (classes 1-3), one school-based social worker (also serve as games teacher), a security/care-taker and one administrator who also provides basic waldorf teacher training and supervision. The school has been relocated and an Advisory Body (legal school body) established to support school development initiatives

 

PROBLEMS:

At the beginning of the academic school year in September 2004, the school started with a population of 150 children and 6 class teachers (classes1-6).  The school by then was located at Allen Town in the east end of Freetown. But due to the dilapidated and unsafe condition of the building, we received pressure from educational authorities to relocate or close down the school. This situation resulted in the total restructuring of the school upon our decision to relocate (some of the changes include, classes 4-6 were removed as most of these children and their teachers could not relocate because of social and economic reasons. Also we are not able to meet the educational requirement of children in classes 5 and 6 which should be taking their National Primary Examination early 2005). In Sierra Leone, government does not give financial support to independent schools, which are not subject to direct supervisions in the areas of curriculum and administration. In other words government-assisted schools (benefit from teachers salaries, school supplies and building) must meet stringent measurement and evaluation processes/procedures.

  

RELOCATION AND CHANGES

 The school is now named "Goderich Waldorf School". It is located in the west end suburb (Goderich Village) of Freetown.Goderich is a fishing community; situated between the Freetown peninsular and the atlantic ocean .It is about 13 miles from the heart of Freetown (capital city).

 According to a recent base-line survey conducted by a group of college students, about 98% of inhabitants are poor, a situation which affects the normal development of children in this community. The central preoccupations of people in this community are fishing and fish mongering, petty trading, stone breaking, sex trading and drugs. Many   families are also affected with HIV/AIDS.

 

School Population Analysis

Class	1	2	3	Total
*Children admitted	19	12	9	40
Girls	8	3	1
Boys	11	9	8

Age range: 6-16 years.

 

* All of the children fall under one or more of these categories:

a) Orphan
b) Foster
c) Child labourers/working on the street

 

FUNDING SITUATION:

We have received some support before from friends and organization for the purpose of running the school. Below is the information on donation received in 2004.

Donor	Amount	Purpose	Comment
Freunde der Erziehungskunst Rudolf Steiners (Germany)	4,055 Euros	School	Used for teachers stipends, rents, learning materials and relocation expenses.
Elaine Holt   UK	431 GPB	School	Stipend to staff
Beatrice Antoine (Germany)	400 Euros	School	Bought benches and desks

 

ACTION PLAN:

* Adapt the waldorf curriculum to fit our situation (cultural consideration).

* Seek for sponsorship for teacher training.

* Purchase a land for our school building.

* Seek for sponsorship for our school children.

 

CONCLUSION

We would like to express our thanks and appreciations to all our donors whose generous contributions have kept the school running. We would like to appeal for your continuous support to our school project in Sierra Leone.