Hennepin Plays a Crucial Role in Providing Children an Education at the Ormsby School in Baiwallla, Sierra Leone

By Lori McBride, OC Ministries Director

Education is a powerful tool that transforms lives, strengthens communities, and builds a brighter future.  Yet, for many children in Sierra Leone, access to quality education remains out of reach due to poverty, lack of resources, and underfunded schools.  That narrative is changing in the rural village of Baiwalla, thanks to the Richard Ormsby Secondary School, a project of OC Ministries Minnesota.

In 2019, the Richard Ormsby Secondary School opened its doors in Baiwalla. Since then, generous contributions from members and friends of Hennepin Avenue UMC have played a crucial role in the school’s growth and success. These gifts are directly improving the lives of hundreds of children, their families, and the entire Baiwalla community.

YOUR GIFT MAKES A REAL DIFFERENCE IN BAIWALLA

Meeting Basic Needs

Your support helps provide students with the essentials to learning:

• Uniforms, shoes, backpacks, and school supplies like pens, pencils, and notebooks
• A nutritious lunch every school day, so students can focus on learning instead of hunger.
• Full financial support for enrollment, enabling all children in a family to attend school, no child is left behind due to cost.

Beyond the Basics

Every student has access to basic textbooks and materials covering reading, writing, and math. But Ormsby goes further promoting literacy and problem-solving through:

• Active learning resources such as puzzles, flashcards, wall posters, and educational games like Jenga and Dominoes.
• A new lending library and computer lab, where students can conduct research for class and explore new topics.
• Dedicated, highly qualified teachers who bring enthusiasm and joy to the classroom—at Ormsby, learning is fun!

Community and Celebration

The school also fosters community spirit through events like the annual Track and Field Day, where students compete in races, sack hops, and musical chairs. Teams represent four distinct sections of Baiwalla, each with its own name, color, flag, and uniform. Community members proudly rally behind their teams, offering food, financial support, and volunteer time—even building judge’s booths for the event.

Educational Facilities

Beyond regular maintenance of the primary and secondary school buildings, recent development efforts have focused on constructing specialized facilities — including a new Lending Library, Computer Lab, Home Economics Lab, and a Solar Power Plant to provide sustainable energy for the campus.

Since its founding, enrollment at Ormsby has steadily increased—from just a few dozen students to an expected five hundred students in the 2025–2026 school year.

In May 2024, the school celebrated a milestone: seventeen students completed classroom studies and sat for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), a key requirement for graduation. Thirteen passed and have moved on to university. In May 2025, another twenty-three students completed their studies and took the exam—they now await their results with hope and pride.

What It Takes to Keep the Dream of Education Alive at Ormsby School

Here’s a look at the key expenses that make quality education possible at Ormsby School:

• Student Fees and other expenses (per year): approximately $350 per student
• Student Lunch Program (per year): approximately $150 per student
• Teacher Salaries (per teacher/per year): approximately $2,400

Each of these costs represents an investment in the future of a child—and every dollar helps build a stronger, more educated and vibrant community in Baiwalla.

Join Us in Transforming Lives Through Education

We invite you to be part of lasting change as we launch our 7th Ormsby Campaign—a vital effort to raise the funds needed to support another year of education and empowerment for the students of Baiwalla, Sierra Leone.

With your support, OC Ministries can continue to provide essential resources such as:

• Books and school supplies
• Safe, well-equipped classrooms
• Clean drinking water and nutritious daily lunch
• Trained, dedicated teachers.

These are the building blocks that allow young minds to learn, grow, and realize their potential.

Your gift—no matter the amount—will have a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of children who are eager to learn but face challenges beyond their control.  Together, we can open doors to opportunity and help Ormsby students pursue further education and a brighter future.

For Ormsby School to operate with success in the coming year, we are requesting donations be “undesignated” so that we can evenly apply donations to all the costs associated with educating kids in Baiwalla.

Let’s build hope—one classroom at a time!

Payment Methods:

ONLINE
Visit the OC Ministries donation page HERE to make a payment via credit card.
You may designate a specific category for your donation.
Please select the option: “Sierra Leone: Richard Ormsby School”

MAIL A CHECK
Prepare a check payable to “Minnesota Annual Conference.”
Include a note in the memo line specifying the category of your donation.
Please note: “Sierra Leone: Richard Ormsby School”

Send the check to:
Mn Annual Conference (OC Ministries)
122 W. Franklin Ave. Suite 400, 
Minneapolis, MN 55404

QUESTIONS? Please contact Ann Carlson: [email protected]