Royaume ~ Realm Of The Free

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! @visaofoundation does a lot of work with children in #SierraLeone. Find out more and how you can get involved HERE… 

In 2005, philanthropist L. A. Renner established the Visão Foundation with the goal of providing a safe-haven for children to learn, explore and be challenged as they engage in more productive activities. Visão believes that a firm educational foundation is a direct source of empowerment. In Sierra Leone however, this is a struggle for many children. Most children attend schools of poor educational standards, and unfortunately don’t receive adequate grounding to prepare them for higher education. Evidence suggests that continuous support can significantly improve a child’s academic outcome, reduce the wide gaps in achievement, and produce a higher percentage of children completing school. To address the gaps in education, the Visão Foundation established a FREE enrichment program called Camp Visão to provide disadvantaged children with the social, emotional and academic support they need. Camp Visão started with only twenty-five children, but today more than one hundred and fifty have been served over the past five years. Camp Visão strives to build children’s self-esteem and confidence, and motivate their ambition for future career goals. Scholarships are awarded annually to deserving participants, and the children are continually encouraged to work hard.

Given the history of war which led to the destruction of schools and colleges, this project is essential as it presents a place for young people to go. I honestly believe that one of the ways in which corrupt and inefficient governments tend to thrive is by keeping their nations uneducated and misinformed. Education is ammunition! It is the gross lack of education and enlightenment that creates a lot of unnecessary conflicts. When you push an uneducated man’s back up against the wall, their only means of communication is violence so in order to prevent certain situations from reoccurring through generations, it is important that we arm our children with books and pens and not guns and machetes! We need to give them the education they need to preserve their future. A project like this helps children to develop their individuality, self esteem and confidence which are all attributes that will enable them to be good citizens of tomorrow.