First trip to West Africa since Covid lockdowns

Dear friends and supporters,


I am just about to head back to the UK from a trip to West Africa visiting some of our current projects in The Gambia and Sierra Leone. This is our first visit since before Covid and I am delighted to share with you all that the projects are progressing well. 


I am in a reflective mood thinking about all the educators and students I met, and the stories they shared with me. I’m also thinking about my friends and family who are preparing for the festive season in the U.K. Despite extreme challenges; cost of living increases, climate change and inequality, our colleagues are passionately committed to providing access to quality education for all children. 


Despite the traffic jams, the dust as we are nearing Hammatan, and the football focus, we shared some laughter and joy. I had an incredible trip, and I would like to feedback to you the difference your support is making. 


Here are just a few highlights:


The Learning resource centre in The Gambia is providing a vital space for teacher training and for educators to carry out research.



I was honoured to meet with 40 SSF young ambassadors in Banjul and Basse who are campaigning for the right to education for all children everywhere, as well as improved conditions for their teachers. 



We looked at our Change makers Speak Out Challenge - The School I want to Learn In together and the students came up with some inspiring ideas for the future of education. 


Sign up here to get involved in our Change makers Speak Out Challenge: 


Change makers Speak Out Challenge


We visited an SEN school in Banjul and the teachers there touched my heart at their incredible passion and love for the students in their care. 



Inspiring stories


I was nspired by a young woman who shared her story with me. She was married at 15, has a baby daughter and due to violence from her husband she ran away. She is 17 now and living with her aunt and she is attending school every day. She is hopeful for the future for her and her daughter. How incredible is that story and the support you have given to enable us to host training on gender based violence is absolutely having an impact on people lives.


In Sierra Leone, my colleague Isata has just had a baby boy Mohammed, and it was a joy to spend time with them both. 


The learning resource centre in Makeni is really coming together, and Isata now has 1 staff member, and 5 volunteers, who are making great progress.



Positive Periods programme


Meeting teachers and students who benefitted from the Positive Periods and Gender Based Violence training, and hearing their testimonies, assured me that our work is having a huge impact on people’s daily lives. 



I was honoured to meet some of the SSF young ambassadors who told me how the Positive Periods program has not only impacted their own personal lives, but the lives of girls in their wider community as well. 


The Foundation works in a way that fosters trust with our partners, builds ownership and sustainable practice on the ground. We listen and we care about the future and I am proud to say our method is working. 



Support our work


However, the list of requests for replication of the work is long and we cannot expand our work without more support. 


If you could find it in your heart to support some of our projects directly by purchasing one of our eco-friendly charity gifts this December, it would make a big difference to so many people. We have gifts priced to suit all pockets, take a look here: https://www.stevesinnottfoundation.org.uk/gifts/


Or you might want to support us to foster a sustainable future for education by making a monthly donation from as little as £5 to any amount you can afford. Click here for a form.


Finally, a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart to you all, for supporting access to education for all. 


Ann





This page presents country specific information including national reports, country commitments, data, and examples of good practices submitted by partners - Sierra Leone


This page presents country specific information including national reports, country commitments, data, and examples of good practices submitted by partners - The Gambia

Steve Sinnott • December 7, 2022

STEM programs in Haiti

By Ann Beatty • February 14, 2026
On 23rd January at the Cima Community School of Hope (ECEC), the first workshop was held with the first group of students as part of the STEM program. This activity marks a promising start to the program's implementation. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is crucial for children because it fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity from a young age. It nurtures natural curiosity, helps children understand the modern world, and builds resilience through hands-on experimentation. Additionally, early STEM exposure prepares them for future academic and career success. A total of 20 students participated in this first session. The session focused on a general presentation of the importance of computer programming in today's world. The students were also introduced to the Scratch software interface, an educational tool well-suited for teaching children programming. This initial experience went smoothly and generated considerable interest and strong motivation among the students.

Make This Spring the Season You Secure Your Legacy

By Steve Sinnott • February 14, 2026
At the Steve Sinnott Foundation, we know that planning for the future is one of the most important things you can do for the people and causes you care about. That’s why we’re delighted to offer our staff and volunteers the opportunity to write or update their will this Spring. Whether you’ve been meaning to get started for years, or you simply need to make a few updates, this is the perfect time to take that important step. Join Our Free Will Writing Webinar To help you get started, we’ve partnered with expert estate planners Octopus Legacy , who will be hosting a free webinar(s) covering everything you need to know about writing or updating your will. Staff & Volunteers 12pm, Thursday 5th March Online via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uvirWft7S12lJUby6oUtnQ#/registration Supporters 12pm, Tuesday 10th March Online via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xxJNZd6ZQYKMOs-2fNz0Gg#/registration During the session, you’ll learn: Why it’s important to have an up-to-date will What to consider when writing or updating your will The different types of will-writing services available How Lasting Powers of Attorney work and why they matter How to claim your free will this Spring This webinar is designed to make what can feel like a complex process simple, clear and manageable. Why Having a Will Matters Having an up-to-date will ensures your wishes are respected and your loved ones are protected. Without one, the law decides how your estate is distributed and that may not reflect what you would have wanted. A will gives you peace of mind. It allows you to: Provide clarity and security for your family Appoint guardians for children if needed Make specific gifts to individuals or causes Ensure your estate is handled efficiently Updating your will is just as important as writing one. Life changes marriages, children, property purchases, or changes in circumstances can all affect your wishes. Claim Your Free Will This Spring As part of this initiative, eligible staff and volunteers will have the opportunity to claim a free will-writing service. Full details will be shared during the webinar, including how to access this benefit. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. Writing or updating your will is one of the most responsible and caring decisions you can make for yourself and for those you care about. Register Now Spaces are available now, simply register using the link below: Staff & Volunteers - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uvirWft7S12lJUby6oUtnQ#/registration Supporters - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xxJNZd6ZQYKMOs-2fNz0Gg#/registration We hope you’ll join us on Thursday 5th March and take this positive step towards securing your future.

The Foundation supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

By Kaylem James • February 3, 2026
In my time as an assistant at The Steve Sinnott Foundation (SSF), one of my research tasks was looking into how the Foundation contributed to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I really believe in the work of the Foundation and I have also been raising funds as I believe that every child must have the right to education. SSF is a UK-based educational charity focused on promoting quality education worldwide. It plays a supportive role in achieving the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 4: (Quality Education), but its work contributes to several others as well. Here's how the Foundation supports the SDGs: Goal 4 – Quality education (core focus) The Foundation's main mission is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. It supports teachers and educational initiatives in developing countries. It runs programmes like: The Education for All Campaign – advocating for universal access to education. Teacher empowerment projects – providing training and resources to educators in under-resourced countries. Girls' education programmes – encouraging and supporting girls to stay in school and complete their education. Goal 3 – Good health and well-being Through education, particularly health-related programmes, the Foundation contributes to raising awareness about hygiene, nutrition, and mental health. The Foundation has developed a range of webinars to promote health and wellbeing and these can be found on YouTube. Goal 5 – Gender equality The Foundation promotes girls' education, directly addressing barriers that prevent girls from accessing and completing school. It advocates for the rights of women and girls, especially in patriarchal or disadvantaged societies. Goal 8 – Decent work and economic growth By improving access to education and vocational training, the Foundation helps create employment opportunities. Educated individuals have better chances of securing decent work. Goal 10 – Reduced inequalities It supports marginalised groups, including children in rural or conflict-affected areas, contributing to reducing global inequalities in education. Goal 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions Promotes education as a force for peace and conflict resolution. Supports democratic participation and awareness through educational programmes that foster community engagement. Goal 17 – Partnerships for the goals Collaborates with NGOs, unions, schools, and governments to deliver and advocate for education projects. Builds international partnerships to achieve the SDGs through education. Summary While The Steve Sinnott Foundation's primary focus is on Goal 4, it contributes to many of the SDGs by empowering communities through education, particularly: Gender equality (Goal 5), Health (Goal 3), Economic growth (Goal 8), Reducing inequality (Goal 10), Peace (Goal 16), and Partnerships (Goal 17).  The Foundation’s programmes also contribute to the achievement of other SDGs through the power of the provision of education and life-long learning; 1. No Poverty, 2. Zero Hunger, 13. Climate Action. We believe that all of the 17 SDGs are only achievable by ensuring that all children, wherever they are born, deserve the human right of quality education. Over 250 million children are still out of school and the global out-of-school population has reduced by only 1% in nearly ten years, according to the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report 2024. There is still much work to do in achieving equitable and quality Education for All.