Hundreds of young girls’ access to STEM education has been affected following a severe fire at Sierra Leone’s first technical school for women. We are sending two volunteer engineers to support the rebuilding efforts, so that teaching can return to normal as quickly as possible.
– says Secretary General Peter Horne Zartsdahl.
The fire broke out in the early evening of February 3, 2026, at The Nyapui Senior Secondary School of Excellence in the town of Kenema in eastern Sierra Leone. The fire destroyed large parts of the girls’ dormitories before it was brought under control. Fortunately, no students or others were physically injured during the rapidly spreading fire.
The students depend on being able to live on site, in the school’s hostel facilities, which were partially destroyed by the fire. As a result, the incident is also severely disrupting their education. A complete reconstruction is required, along with improvements to fire safety.
Engineers Without Borders Denmark already has a close relationship with the school, which opened in 2021 as Sierra Leone’s very first science school for girls. Just a few years ago, our volunteer engineers, in collaboration with our local partner SEND Sierra Leone, helped develop the education program and establish an ICT Hub (Information and Communications Technology) for 650 girls and 21 teachers. In addition, Danish companies, including Peter Eduard, have donated a range of technical machinery to the students.
For young women in particular, access to technical education has previously been almost impossible in Sierra Leone. Our project at the STEM school in Kenema has helped change this, with support from CISU – Civil Society in Development.
– emphasizes Secretary General Peter Horne Zartsdahl.
You can easily support the relief mission via MobilePay 79443. Please write “STEM school” in the message field.
Every donation makes a difference. Thank you very much for your support.
(Approved by the Danish Fundraising Board)
