The Sierra Leonean Writers Series (SLWS) is delighted to announce a partnership with Stichting Henk Arts, a foundation based in the Netherlands dedicated to supporting educational development in Sierra Leone. Through this collaboration, Stichting Henk Arts has generously funded the printing of 50 copies each of nine notable SLWS titles. Of these, 30 copies will be donated to schools in Port Loko, where the foundation provides educational support, while the remaining 20 copies will be provided to the authors for their own use and distribution.

The titles included in this initiative represent the diverse voices and rich literary heritage of Sierra Leone, offering students valuable perspectives on their culture and contemporary issues. The nine titles are:

1. Gomna’s Children by Siaka Kroma

2. The New Disease by Frederick Borbor James

3. To Cross for a Daughter by Elizabeth Kamara

4. Fireside Short Stories edited by Thulla and Taqi

5. Fireside Poems edited by Taqi and Thulla

6. Over the Line by Manty Tarawalli

7. Her Name was Aina by Yema Lucilda Hunter

8. Secret Fear by Mohamed Sheriff

9. Thursday’s Child by Peagie Foday

These books, covering a range of genres and themes, will enrich students’ literacy, critical thinking, and cultural understanding. By making locally authored books accessible in classrooms, SLWS and Stichting Henk Arts aim to inspire a love of reading and provide young people with stories that resonate with their lives and identities.

“Education is one of the most powerful tools we can give to the next generation,” said Mark Arts, Chairman of Stichting Henk Arts. “By supporting SLWS and distributing these books, we hope to contribute to a brighter future for the students of Port Loko and support Sierra Leonean authors who are shaping the country’s literary landscape.”

Professor Osman Sankoh COR, publisher of SLWS, added, “We believe in the transformative power of books. This partnership with Stichting Henk Arts brings meaningful stories to students in Port Loko and recognises the contributions of Sierra Leonean authors to our nation’s literary heritage. We are deeply grateful to Stichting Henk Arts for their support in helping us achieve our mission of promoting local literature and supporting our authors.”

For more information about this initiative or SLWS, please visit www.slwritersseries.org. 

To learn more about Stichting Henk Arts and its work in Sierra Leone, visit www.helpsierraleone.com.

Contact:

Sierra Leonean Writers Series (SLWS)

University of Management and Technology (UNIMTECH)

Kissy Dockyard

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Email: publisher@slwritersseries.org