Gift of University Fees (Digital Download)

How your gift has helped Laughter Africa children in the past:

In 2022/2023, we paid for 12 young people to attend university. For the academic year 2023/2024, we currently have another 21 young people who are in the process of applying for university. They are applying to study a variety of subjects including international relations, banking and finance, procurement and logistics, human resources, public health and nursing.

One of the young people who will benefit from this gift is Sorie F. We first met Sorie living on the streets in Waterloo in August 2015. In fact, Moses and I found him when we were carrying out Laughter’s first night survey in Waterloo (in the pouring rain). Sorie turned to the streets aged 13 after the death of his mother during the Ebola crisis. But ever since his reunification 8 years ago, he has stayed at home

He has just completed his first year at university. He has been studying social work. His dream one day is to work for Laughter Africa. He said that the social workers at Laughter Africa inspired him. He said, “ I want to study social work because Five-O and Laughter Africa have been with me since I was in class 6. They have been supporting me throughout. I want to study social work in order to give back to Laughter Africa and do for other street children what Laughter Africa has done for me. I believe that doing social work will make me be part of Laughter’s life forever.”

At the end of May 2023, Sorie graduated from driving school. He invited me to his driving programme saying that he needed a family member there and I am the closest thing he has to a father. Sorie paid for the driving course himself. He wanted to add another skills set to his repertoire and have another way to generate income.

You can see Sorie in the documentary about Laughter Africa which you can view here.

Meanwhile one of the girls applying to university this year is Aminata. Last year Aminata left Sierra Leone to travel to India, without telling anyone. She thought that all her dreams had come true and that she had gotten a job as a housekeeper. Sadly her dream job turned into a nightmare. The job was a scam and the woman whom she was working for tried to force her into prostitution. Aminata refused to comply so the woman stole her passport so that she couldn’t leave the country. Aminata fled in fear and had nowhere to turn. Luckily she still knew Zombo’s number off by heart. Zombo is the head of the Family Tracing and Reunification department. We contacted IOM straight away and they arranged for Aminata to fly back to Sierra Leone. In October 2023, Aminata was back where she belongs. Aminata is putting the last year behind her and is looking forward to a brighter future at university.   

Another one of the girls who have applied to University this year is Amie. Amie went on the streets when she was 10 years old after the death of her mother and father. Her uncle had stolen all of her inheritance. We see this often, extended family believe the girls have no rights to the inheritance- just because they are under 18 and female. Amie is also a young mother “I gave birth to my beautiful daughter Fatmata on 28th March 2021. Sadly my boyfriend died a few months after Fatmata was born - he was a bike driver. He was involved in a motorbike accident so I am alone with my pikin. I decided to start making country clothes to make money for my daughter. I taught myself how to crochet. My baby gives me pleasure-she is my pride and joy.“ Amie is hoping to study Public Health at University. She is just waiting for her acceptance letter.