Connecting Threads of Impact: Impact Sierra Leone Brings Hope, Culture, and Community to Baltimore’s Back-to-School Rally
Dr Adama Kalokoh at the Back-to-School Rally hosted by Speak Life Tour, held at Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore
“The gift of giving is not in what we give, but in the hope we ignite in another’s heart.”
Back-to-School Season: More Than School Supplies
For Impact Sierra Leone, back-to-school season is about more than new backpacks and school supplies. It is about creating opportunities, celebrating culture, and reminding children that their dreams matter. It’s about Spreading Hope.
During August, Impact Sierra Leone was honored to participate in the Back 2 School Rally hosted by Speak Life Tour, bringing together families, children, community leaders, and amazing organizations for a day centered on giving, connection, and hope.
Held at the beautiful Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, the event was filled with joy. Children received school supplies, participated in fun activities, and experienced an afternoon designed to help them begin the new school year with confidence and excitement.
For Impact Sierra Leone, it was also an opportunity to build a bridge between the DMV community and Sierra Leone as we created cultural connections.
Bringing Sierra Leone to Baltimore
Through our participation, we had the privilege of showcasing the beauty of Sierra Leonean culture and designs while sharing the story of our journey of impact in Foindu Village, Northern Sierra Leone.
We call this journey Connecting Threads of Impact.
The cultural designs we showcased represent more than beautiful patterns and craftsmanship. They represent a future we are working to create through the Impact Vocational Skills Training Center in Foindu Village.
The center will provide women with opportunities to develop practical vocational skills, including fashion design, culinary skills, jewelry and bead making, floral design, and digital literacy.
The designs we celebrated in Baltimore are a glimpse of what can be created when skills, culture, opportunity, and community come together.
Today’s cultural connections can become tomorrow’s livelihoods.
More Than 30 Backpacks. More Than School Supplies.
As part of our July 2026 Spread Hope Campaign, Impact Sierra Leone assembled and distributed more than 30 backpacks filled with school essentials to children at the rally.
But we wanted to make the experience personal.
To accompany each backpack, we created personalized “Threads of Impact Sunshine Cards” for the children.
Each card was created to serve as a small reminder that they are seen, valued, and capable of making an impact of their own.
Because sometimes, a child needs more than supplies to begin a new school year.
They need encouragement.
They need someone to believe in them.
They need hope.
And that is what we wanted each child to carry with them.
Spreading Hope Across Communities
Impact Sierra Leone is deeply grateful to everyone who supported our Spread Hope Campaign.
Every contribution, every volunteer hour, and every act of generosity helps us create moments of possibility for children and families.
When we give, we are not simply providing an item.
We are creating hope.
We were especially grateful to have our Champion of Impact volunteer, Emmanuel, join us in serving the community.
His presence was a beautiful reminder that impact is never created alone. It takes people who are willing to show up, serve, give, and believe in something bigger than themselves.
Dr Adama Kalokoh, ISL CEO, alongside our Champion of Impact Volunteer Emmanuel at the event.
From Baltimore to Foindu Village
The Back 2 School Rally also reminded us why the work we are doing in Sierra Leone matters.
From a child receiving a backpack in Baltimore to a woman learning a new vocational skill in Foindu Village, these moments are connected.
They are threads in a much larger story.
A story about opportunity.
A story about culture.
A story about community.
A story about hope.
At Impact Sierra Leone, we believe that when we connect these threads, we rise together.
But our work in Foindu Village continues to require your support.
The Impact Vocational Skills Training Center is being built to create a space where women can learn, create, and build sustainable livelihoods. Every brick brings us closer to that vision.
Help Us Build Together
You can be part of this journey by supporting the construction of the Impact Vocational Skills Training Center.
Buy a Brick. Build a Future.
Your support today can help create a place where skills become opportunities, creativity becomes income, and hope becomes a pathway to a brighter future.
Because the threads we connect today can shape generations tomorrow.
Together, We Rise.
Together, We Build.
Together, We Impact. 🇸🇱
Visit www.impactsierraleone.org to join the movement and support the journey.
ISL, United We Stand, Together We Rise