“Girls who are not in school can easily end up married young, and that’s not the life I want for myself..” 

Jebbeh Rogers, a 14-year-old girl from Pujehun District, was once a top student, full of dreams for her future. "I sat for the National Primary School Examination in 2021 and passed with flying colors," she recalls. But her life took a heartbreaking turn when her father, the family's breadwinner, passed away leaving Jebbeh's mother to care for her and her six siblings. The family’s financial situation forced her to drop out of school.

"I was heartbroken. I didn’t want to stop going to school," Jebbeh says. "Every morning, I would watch my friends put on their uniforms and head to class, and it broke my heart."

For Jebbeh, leaving school felt like the end of her dreams. She knew the risks that came with being out of school—early marriage and a life of hardship. "Girls who are not in school can easily end up married young, and that’s not the life I want for myself," she explains.

Across Sierra Leone, children can face significant barriers to education, including poverty, early marriage, and pregnancy. Recognizing this, the Government launched the National Policy on Radical Inclusion in Schools in 2021 to reintegrate vulnerable children into education.

To support this goal, UNFPA partnered with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and Irish Aid to help girls like Jebbeh return to school. The programme provides comprehensive support, including school enrolment "starter kits" containing essential supplies and pre-reintegration classes on numeracy, literacy and life skills. 

Thanks to this effort, over 3,000 girls like Jebbeh have been reintegrated into formal education in 2024 alone. For Jebbeh, this opportunity has been transformative. "I'm so grateful to be back in school," she says, her face beaming with hope. "I want all girls to have this chance. When girls are educated, it's a great thing." Jebbeh's aspirations extend far beyond the classroom. 

Jebbeh’s aspirations now extend far beyond the classroom. Inspired by her mother’s struggles, she dreams of becoming a nurse to care for those in need. “I want to help people, especially those who can’t afford healthcare,” she says. “I’ve seen how hard life can be, and I want to make a difference.”

Jebbeh's story exemplifies the power of education to empower girls, break the cycle of poverty, and create a brighter future for individuals and communities. By investing in girls' education, we invest in a more just and equitable world, where every girl has the opportunity to reach her full potential.

Media Contacts: Islander Kabia | Communications Unit| UNFPA Sierra Leone | ikabia@unfpa.org