Sierra Leone Rising (formerly the Kposowa Foundation) is a non-profit organization based out of Long Beach, California, United States. It was co-founded by

Sarah Culberson Princess Sarah Jane Culberson, Lady of Bumpe, Bumpenya (born Princess Esther Elizabeth Kposowa in 1976) is an American philanthropist, public speaker, educator, writer and actress. By birth she is a Mende princess of Bumpe in Sierra Leone. She ...

and John Woehrle. The Kposowa Foundation's purpose is to raise funds to rebuild a boarding school, provide clean drinking water, provide economically sustainable opportunities, and improve the general quality of life for the people of Sierra Leone, West Africa.

History

Bumpe High School (BHS) was ransacked and burned by R.U.F. rebels during the decade-long civil war in Sierra Leone that lasted from 1991 to 2002. Most of the buildings and furnishings were destroyed or stolen. BHS was once a renowned boarding school with an enrollment of over 600 students from as far away as Nigeria.

Projects

The first goal of the Kposowa Foundation was to rebuild Bumpe High School. The second goal was to sustain the children who were educated there.

Completed projects

12 classrooms were rebuilt to help the school start functioning again. Due to significant support from

The Rotary Foundation The Rotary Foundation is a non-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs. It is supported solely b ...

, $50,000 was used to construct new wells so that residents of the high school had access to safe, drinkable water. The Kposowa Foundation helped to rebuild the home economics building at Bumpe High School which was burned down by the rebels during the civil war. Boys and girls dormitories were built so that children who lived ten miles away did not have to walk to school every day. This improvement also helped to ensure that the children attended school on a regular basis. The Bumpe High School library was rebuilt allowing students to have access to books which is rare in Sierra Leone.

Ongoing projects

Because public school is not free in Sierra Leone, the Kposowa Foundation is looking to create a scholarship fund for those who cannot afford an education. The Kposowa Foundation is gathering supplies for the Home Economics Building such as sewing machines, pots, pans, utensils, gas cookers, freezers, etc. The Dining Hall is being rebuilt. When the project is finished it will serve as not only a cafeteria but a central meeting place to share artwork, poetry, and to have discussions.

Media coverage

TV appearances

* Good Morning America 9/19/06, with Robyn Roberts * Inside Edition / Cheryl Lamothe, minute, 9/19/06 with Kim * CNN The American Morning with Solidad O'Brien, 9/20/06 * Southern California Life / KVMD TV Los Angeles, Feb, 28, 2007 * Naomi Judd Morning show, March 13, 2007 * WBOY Channel 12 in Morgantown West Virginia, Nov. 2006 * Intel Campaign filmed 2008 on line "What inspires you", filmed by UNCLE - Rachel North Co-producer UNCLE

Magazines and newspapers

* ''Positive People Magazine'' in London * ''Trace Magazine'' based in London * ''Newsweek'' * ''People'', Maureen Parrington * ''Reader's Digest'' / Ken Miller Nov. 2007 "ken_miller@readersdigest.com * ''Corridor Magazine'' West Virginia * ''West Virginia Alumni Magazine'' * ''Los Angeles Times'' article (Front Page Sept. 2006) * ''Chicago Tribune'' 2006 * ''Singapore News'' 2006

Radio

* BBC/Owen Phillips Sept. 2006 * Atlanta Radio "African Exp. Radio 2006 * Oprah and Friends Radio show with Gayle King 2006 * NPR (National Public Radio) with Farai Chideya May 1, 2007 (listen on the website) "Farai Chideya", * WCLG in Morgantown West Virginia with Becky Hun Nov. 2006 * WAJR in Morgantown West Virginia with Becky Hun with Kay Murray Nov. 2006 * Sarah and the Kposowa Foundation have been featured in various magazines including People

Supporting foundations

Cowboy

Groove Wallets

The LemonAid Fund
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Rotary International Rotary International is one of the largest service organizations in the world. Its stated mission is to "provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through hefellowship of business, prof ...

References

{{Reflist

External links

The Kposowa Foundation BlogThe Kposowa Foundation Twitter Account

The Kposowa Foundation Flickr Account
Non-profit organizations based in California 501(c)(3) organizations Charities based in California Organizations established in 2005 2005 establishments in California