The Kposowa Foundation

PEN PALS, BACKPACKS & CODING: Supporting education in Sierra leone

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 16:31:00 +0000

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Before this week, students at Bumpe had to carry computers on their heads from the office to the lab. Having 12 backpacks makes it safer and easy for students to carry computers.

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At the computer center, girls at Bumpe learn coding using Python Software. Students have accomplished Lesson 1, can locate a PDF book and perform the first program on Coding.

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Girls recieve replies from theri pen pals in the GLI (Girls Learn Institute) chapter at the Girls Middle School in Palo Alto, CA. Students share stories about their lives and about their findings in computer studies!

Bump Up Bumpe

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 19:34:00 +0000

By Carina Kaplan

On May 15, 2015 the Kposowa Foundation in conjunction with Oakwood School’s Girls Learn International (GLI) chapter, put on an event entitled “Bump Up Bumpe” to raise money and awareness for the Bumpe High School in Sierra Leone.

GLI is an international organization under the Feminist Majority Foundation that helps spread awareness about women and girls’ issues. Each GLI chapter raises money and communicates with a partner school, and Oakwood’s partner school is the Bumpe High School in Sierra Leone, Africa. In the wake of the Ebola crisis, the Bumpe School was in need of aid kits and school supplies. Girl students were particularly impacted. Families tend to send their boy children to school first, while girls became caretakers. In addition, many girls were married and became pregnant during the prolonged period of time that the Bumpe School was shut down due to the Ebola outbreak. The Oakwood School GLI chapter committed itself to raising sufficient funds for the Bumpe students, including scholarship money for girl students.

The event took place at one of our chapter members home. At the event, there was food including cupcakes with inspiring women on them, a raffle for fun gift baskets, a yoga class, an African drum circle, and we screened the short film “A Girl’s Rite,” which was made by a few Oakwood students and focuses on menstruation as a taboo in modern society.

Most importantly though,the event was centered on a panel discussion with many distinguished women in the media industry including Sam Taylor Johnson, director of Fifty Shades of Grey, Mimi Kennedy, actress in the television show Mom, Aline Mckenna, writer of many movies including Devil Wears Prada, Patricia Resnick, writer of feminist play 9 to 5, and Erica Huggins, president of Imagine Entertainment. The panelists discussed topics such as how education enabled them to succeed in an industry so often riddled by sexism and inequality, how they believe the media can be used as a tool for change, and how gender has impacted their academic and professional career.

Overall the event raised over $5000 and helped fully fund 8 girls’ education for a year. The event not only raised money for an incredibly important cause but raised awareness about the sexism and inequality that still exists in our world.

Poda Poda Brings Sustainability to Bumpe

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 18:46:00 +0000

The Kposowa Foundation would like to thank its gracious donors who helped purchase a Poda Poda, a minibus that will help bring sustainability to Bumpe. The Poda Poda will be used to not only transport students to Bumpe High School that walk long distances but also to generate income for the community. For a small token, community members can ride the Poda Poda to travel to Bo to sell their goods. The proceeds from the Poda Poda will be used to award student scholarships and also pay teachers’ salaries. The Kposowa Foundation is excited by this development opportunity and means to bring sustainability to the Bumpe community.

Bumpe Students Strive for Excellence

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:59:00 +0000

Last year, 62% of 9^th grade students at Bumpe High School passesd the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) – a public exam taken at Junior High School that qualifies the students to enter Senior High School. The school has implemented a new program involving weekly night study sessions for students from 7-10pm. In rural areas in Sierra Leone most people do not have electricity and cannot afford a generator. With the $3 contributions of students and their parents, the school has provided a generator and daily petrol to provide power during the evening sessions. This was a great investment for families as many cannot easily afford the $3 contribution toward fuel.

As mentioned above, people in the Bumpe community do not have generator light in their villages and the students walk (2-9) miles to BHS, so it was essential that these study sessions provide meals for students to stay focused and productive. Bumpe High School provided $90 towards the provision of a bag of “Gari” a product of cassava, two bags of corn flour, half bag of sugar, three drinking buckets, 48 pieces of cups and spoons.

We have 80 excited students who are enthusiatics about studying every night during the week. The students can boast of food during study and they are excited and zealous to obtain the best grades to be among the high flyers in the country.

It is our hope that we continue to encourage these students in attaining quality education, high academic excellence and to help rebuild Bumpe High School in the future.

Joseph Hindo Kposowa heads Environmental Education Project in Bumpe

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:21:00 +0000

As a participant of TakingItGlobal's Global Encounters program, Joseph Hindo Kposowa combined his passion for his community and his skill to begin an Environment Education Project in Bumpe. Hindo's program aims to raise awareness about environmental degradation and waste management by providing workshops for teachers, students, and community members. Such training will educate the community on safe waste management practices to combat outbreaks of deadly disease like malaria and cholera. The project aims to raise $500 and will undoubtedly empower the community to take action. You can support the project here!

A Bumpe Student Receives A Scholarship

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 19:57:00 +0000

The Kposowa Foundation would like to acknowledge the generosity of a gracious donor who provided a four-year scholarship to Bumpe student, Nyanda Kakegbeh. Nayanda is in the 8^th grade and shows great academic promise. She has five siblings and her parents are subsistence farmers in Bumpe Chiefdom. Nyanda is hard-working, respectful and loved by her fellow students.She is also President of the Cultural Group at Bumpe High School.

Nyanda, along with the Foundation, deeply thanks our donors for their contribution and supporting her bright and happy future!

Woodburn Gives to Bumpe

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 18:49:00 +0000

In May, Judy Culberson met with students and their teacher at Woodburn Elementary School in Morgantown, WV. The students presented a check for $300.00 to the Kposowa Foundation. As a unit of study, six students ran a café for teachers throughout the school year. A kindergarten class baked muffins each week, and these fourth-grade students sold them and water to the teachers and administration at the school. Proceeds from this project are dedicated to a charity of their choice. This year the students chose to give the money they earned to Bumpe High School. During the presentation, students talked to Sarah by conference call, asked questions, and learned a few Mende words.Three students from Woodburn also participated in a pen pal exchange with 3 Bumpe students and their teacher, Amy Ellis, hopes to continue the exchange in the upcoming year. The Kposowa Foundation thanks the students of Woodburn for their amazing contribution!

AIDS Awareness Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 19:30:00 +0000

In March 2012, the Berkeley Carroll School in partnership with the Kposowa Foundation sponsored an HIV/AIDS and STD awareness workshop at Bumpe High School. The workshop included 90 participants from various schools and medical practitioners taught students about the causes, symptoms, and prevention of HIV/AIDS and other STDS. From the campaign, students were able to learn about the hazards of HIV/AIDS, STDS, and teen pregnancy.

Bikes in Bumpe

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 23:12:00 +0000

Bumpe High school has just acquired fifteen bicycles for use by students who have been walking long distances to the school. When we learned here in Morgantown, WV, that the Village Bicycle Project was distributing bikes and training in Ghana (and Sierra Leone!), we contacted them to inquire about some Bikes for Bumpe! Dave Pelham responded quickly with information about their bike workshops and sales programs.

It was fortuitous that some dedicated donors at Wesley United Methodist Church in Morgantown had a buckful of pocket change they had collected to help make "Change in Bumpe". A generous anonymous donor added some larger bills to the pot and the total contribution was adequate to fund costs of a full day bicycle workshop in Bumpe including purchase of the bicycles. Hindo Kposowa assisted as Dave (VBP) arrived with bicycles and tools to spend the day teaching students and others how to maintain, repair and ride bicycles. Bikes can now be checked out by responsible students who will use them for their trip to and from school. The smiles in the photos make it clear that everyone is delighted with this new program.

Sierra Leone Celebrates 50 Years of Independence

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 19:15:00 +0000

On April 27th Sierra Leone celebrated her 50th Independence Anniversary. Celebrations will continue throughout the year to commemorate the golden jubilee. The theme of the anniversary is "50 Years Forward-Celebrating a New Sierra Leone" and encompasses a vision of unity in diversity focused on development and growth. The festivities celebrate the unique attributes that set Sierra Leone apart as a nation, reinforce a sense of pride and patriotism, and help people rediscover the things that keep Sierra Leoneans united.

We at the Kposowa Foundation wish the nation of Sierra Leone a very happy anniversary!

Radio Interview with Sarah Culberson

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 21:07:00 +0000

This month Sarah Culberson was interviewed on the Joy Keys radio show along with actor and activist Isaiah Washington. Like Sarah, Washington has a genetic link to the Mende people of Sierra Leone and works to promote positive improvements for the people of Sierra Leone. Listen to the interview here!

The Dominion Post features the Kposowa Foundation

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 19:10:00 +0000

The Dominion Post in Morgantown, WV featured an article about Sarah Culberson and the recent trip to Bumpe. The article highlights the Foundation and the wonderful experience enjoyed by the Oakwood students. View the entire article here!

Connecting Oakwood & Bumpe Students

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 21:04:00 +0000

The Kposowa Foundation would like to thank you for your continuing support and involvement. Your investments make a tremendous difference in the lives of young people in Sierra Leone and allow us to positively impact the lives of Bumpe students. With your support, they can enter a hopeful and happy future with growing optimism. Thank you for being a valuable part of this journey!

This January, the Kposowa Foundation, in partnership with Oakwood School in Southern California led a global service learning trip to Sierra Leone. The eight-student delegation along with representatives of Oakwood School and the Kposowa Foundation toured the major urban centers of Bo and Freetown. However, the primary activities involved engaging with students at Bumpe High School; together students painted a large world mural on the outside library wall, constructed a new Bumpe High School sign, and worked with primary school students on an art project. Connecting students from two different countries was a life changing experience for everyone. Teenagers and primary school students from different parts of the world came together through art, soccer, and games. It was wonderful to watch them as they connected, almost as if they already knew each other.

The project was truly an extraordinary educational encounter for all the students, including those from Oakwood School in California and those at Bumpe HS in Sierra Leone.

Restoring the Heart of Bumpe

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 20:48:00 +0000

Extrerior - Paint Up2, originally uploaded by The Kposowa Foundation.

It is said that the heart of any home is the dinning room. It is where the inhabitants can share a meal, a discussion, and some quality time together. The Kposowa Foundation had this and so much more in mind when they took on the project of rebuilding the dinning hall at Bumpe High School. With a private grant and the support of the Institute of Human Development, the dinning hall was completed and furnished this summer. Students and staff are now able to fellowship and enjoy arts programs in a beautiful space. The hall also provides a valuable resource for the community as it can be rented for weddings, conferences, and other events that additionally benefit revenue sources for the school.

In addition to the dinning hall, there has been major progress in completing the bathrooms. This is tremendously exciting, especially for female students who need proper facilities to feel comfortable in their learning environment. Although toilets and plumbing have not been installed, Bumpe students and staff are enthusiastic about the progress. Thanks to everyone involved in this project!

Newly Constructed Bathrooms

The Kposowa Foundation in Hermosa Beach, CA for Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars Concert!

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:28:00 +0000

Hi Family,

The California branch of The Kposowa Foundation will be represented at the Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars concert in Hermosa Beach, CA - Wednesday, August 10th!

Come out and support the foundation and this amazing Sierra Leone/Liberia group!

Time: August 10, 2010 at 9pm.
Location: Saint Rocke
Street: 142 Pacific Coast Highway
City/Town: Hermosa Beach, CA
Website or Map: http://saintrocke.marqueehq.c…

Purchase tickets for the show and get more information here: http://refugeeallstars-audience.fm/events/hermosa-beach-ca

A Big Gift from a Young Donor

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:25:00 +0000

Mackenzie, 13 years old, decided to share her birthday with the students of Bumpe. Rather than receiving gifts, Mackenzie asked her friends and family to donate to the Kposowa Foundation. With the help of her loved ones, Mackenzie purchased two sewing machines for the Home Economics block at Bumpe High School. Now the students can learn a valuable trade and share their skills with the community.

We thank you Mackenzie and your friends for opening your hearts to the students in Sierra Leone!

Success with Bumpe's Pen Pal Program

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:37:00 +0000

This year Bumpe students were able to find distant friends with students at Vistamar School in California. The pen pal program allowed students to connect with one another on a personal level as they shared their interests, hobbies, and daily lives. The students received the letters via email, and for Bumpe students, whose lives have been ravaged by civil war, the letters were a real snapshot of life here in America.

We are grateful for the success of the program and hope to continue the correspondence between students here in America and Sierra Leone. We would like to especially thank the students, faculty, and staff of Vistamar for their involvement and participation.

Rotary Helps with Clean Water

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:24:00 +0000

Back in 2009, Jim Culberson, a North Rotarian in WV, and Kim Zook, a Bremerton Rotarian in WA, partnered with the Rotary Club in Bo, Sierra Leone to establish a water project that would bring clean and accessible water to the residents of Bumpe. Together the partners secured a $50,000 grant from the Rotary Foundation to fund the construction of new water wells. Today, the project has completed 8 wells in various communities including:

· Bumpe

· Mongayba

· Mojibba

· Gibbu

· Solima

· Bo

Thanks to the generosity and partnership of the Rotarians, the residents of Sierra Leone can be confident that they are receiving safe water within their own community. Parents can live without the worry of water borne diseases killing their children and children can enjoy their health and childhood. The Kposowa Foundation would like to extend a special thank you to all that were involved in this project!

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:33:00 +0000

A Message from Sarah Culberson

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:38:00 +0000

Miracle -
The Kposowa Foundation and Rotary Club partnered, and as a result my dad Jim, Kim Zook, and many other Rotarians raised $50,000 for wells in Bumpe Chiefdom. My father Joe in Sierra Leone said "Oh Sarah, the women in a neighboring village are dancing and singing because they don't have to drink dirty water any more. They don't have to walk miles for clean water anymore. Their children don't have to die because of water born disease." This all happened because my dad in West Virginia and my birth father in West Africa did this by working together, and because of Rotary Foundation Matching Grants!

Brownie Troop Donates!

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:41:00 +0000

We are so proud of the Brownie troop who donated $200.00 from their cookie sales to help to rebuild a school in Sierra Leone, West Africa.

Stay tuned for the story next week!

Body O Soul Fundraising Event

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:48:00 +0000

Body O Soul Fundraising Event
5233 E 2nd Street
Long Beach, California
(562) 856-1600

Friday, February 26, 2010
6:00pm - 10:00pm
* DJ * Door Prizes * Food & Beverage *

Body O Soul is hosting a fundraising event to benefit The Kposowa Foundation. 10% of all sale proceeds will go toward the Foundation. Be part of our party to benefit a good cause - shop, eat, drink and join the fun!

Bumpe School's First Pen Pal Program

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:48:00 +0000

Several months ago a few students and faculty members of Vistamar School collaborated a simple pen pal program involving their freshman with the freshman students of Bumpe High School. Under the direction of humanities and economics teacher, Blair Bowman, the students of Vistamar wrote their first drafts in October of 2009.

After a few weeks of correspondence with The Foundation office, it was agreed that the safest and speediest way to send the letters was through email. Final letters were then scanned and sent to the attention of Joe Kposowa in Bumpe the beginning of December 2009.

Last week, The Foundation office was overjoyed to have received the first wave of pen pal letters from Bumpe students to Vistamar students. The first circle of the pen pal program was complete.

We are grateful to the students and faculty of Vistamar who initiated this idea. We are also very excited for the freshman students of Bumpe High School. Pen pals are typically exciting for students of any academic level, but in Sierra Leone, where war had been prevalent for so long, an outreach like the pen pal effort Vistamar had put into place is a special treat to our students in Africa.

We encourage more schools to become involved with Bumpe High School and hope this will be a staging point for other students across the nation to share a correspondence with a student in Africa.

For information about how to get your school involved, please contact the Foundation office at (562) 432-7019. We will be happy to share and receive any ideas you may have.

The Angel Rock Project Book of the Month - A Princess Found!

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:59:00 +0000

Check out "A Princess Found" as The Angel Rock Project book of the month! The Angel Rock Project is an online e-village promoting volunteerism, social responsibility and sustainable change. The founder and director is Malaak Compton-Rock, wife of actor and comedian, Chris Rock.

A Princess Found Book Signing in the Long Beach Area!

noreply@blogger.com (The Kposowa Foundation Blog) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:48:00 +0000

Friends of Signal Hill will host "A Princess Found" book signing in Signal Hill, California this coming Monday, January 25th at 7:00pm. Below are the details.

Monday, January 25, 2010
7:00 p.m.
The Signal Hill Community Center
1780 E Hill Street
Signal Hill, CA 90755
Call (562) 989-7323 for more information