By Hassan Gbassay Koroma
With a vision to build a society where women can equally contribute to national development, a couple has constructed a multimillion-dollar all-girls boarding school to educate and train the next generation of female leaders in Sierra Leone.
The Olive B. Academy, an all-girls boarding school, has been constructed at Kerry Town, situated between Waterloo and Tombo in the Western Rural District.
The school is set to commence operations in September 2025. Built on over 20 acres of land, the academy aims to empower young women with the skills and confidence needed to excel in all walks of life.
The school will offer comprehensive educational services including primary, junior secondary and senior secondary education, with a particular emphasis on science and other key academic disciplines.
Speaking to the press during an interview session, Olive Favor Baimba, who introduced herself as the co-founder of the school, explained that her experience attending Harford Boarding School in Moyamba Town inspired her to give back to her country by establishing a boarding school for girls. She expressed her commitment to helping girls reach their full potential.
She noted that the school will be inclusive, catering to all children, including those with disabilities. The academy plans to employ trained, experienced, and qualified teachers across all subjects and will maintain a high level of security to ensure that the students are safe and protected within the facility.
Baimba also revealed that the school will be powered by a solar energy system with backup generators. It will feature a medical facility, proper sanitation and hygiene structures, and 24-hour operational CCTV security surveillance.
She further disclosed that the entire project was 100% funded by her and her husband, motivated by a shared desire to create a world where every girl has the opportunity to become a leader and thrive both academically and personally. The school is designed to accommodate over 700 girls, with comfortable living arrangements for all.
Baimba emphasized that boarding schools can help address many of the challenges girls face by offering a stable and supportive environment that encourages learning. By removing them from potentially harmful home situations and ensuring consistent access to education, she believes girls in boarding schools can focus on their studies without distractions.
She concluded by announcing that they also plan to construct a boarding school for boys, noting that the girls’ school is just the beginning of their broader educational vision.
