The Achieve programme has helped Isatu to find her voice, so that she can thrive in school and beyond.

Fourteen-year-old Isatu lives with her aunt, who works hard to enable Isatu to go to school. But with little formal education herself, she can’t help her niece with reading or homework.

Low in confidence and nervous about speaking in public, Isatu used to struggle at school. She found it particularly hard to read aloud, work with classmates or speak up in lessons or assemblies. The Achieve programme, delivered in Sierra Leone through our partner EducAid, has helped Isatu to find her voice.

‘Before the Achieve programme I found it difficult to read and talk to my colleagues,’ Isatu recalls.

‘All thanks to Achieve I can now read and communicate well.’

Enabling success

Our Achieve programme, active in eight countries, focuses mainly on supporting students who are at risk of underachieving – or even dropping out of school altogether.

Delivered in schools by specially trained teachers, it helps students to build core skills, such as communication and teamwork, through hands-on activities and practice in small groups. There is a strong focus on building confidence as well as skills, identifying strengths and overcoming barriers to learning, so that students can stay and thrive in school.

Generously supported by the Elba Hope Foundation, our Achieve programme launched in Sierra Leone in 2025. In its first year, the programme has reached over 750 students in 12 schools.

Becoming bolder

For Isatu, the most significant changes have been in her communication skills and confidence. With plenty of practice to build her reading and speaking skills, Isatu can now make public presentations, work in a pair or group, and ask and answer questions in class.

‘I have achieved the boldness to stand in front of a large crowd and express myself,’ Isatu explains.

‘I see myself as a good communicator right now… I am proud of my boldness.’

These critical skills will equip Isatu to make the most of her education, and will also stand her in good stead in her future working life. Strong communication skills are critical to both the career paths that Isatu is considering – teaching and nursing.

Now thriving at school, Isatu is keen to encourage other students to seize the opportunities that the Achieve programme offers:

‘I want to encourage all young people to make good use of this programme for them to achieve what they want in life.’