bumpenya.com

When the trumpet of destiny calls, a journey must be made — Michael Klein

What's new in 2008?

First and foremost we want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have contributed and continue to follow up with our progress. We appreciate the effort and sacrifices you may have made in order to support us.

When Sarah and John first made their journey to Bumpe, Sierra Leone in 2004 the estimated rehabilitation and construction costs of Bumpe High School was $200,000. The scope of the foundation has since grown to include the surrounding community in addition to the school. Increasing costs of materials have elevated and your continued support is needed to reach these goals.  The following is only a brief summary of all that we are currently working on.

Recent Progress

• Reconstruction of the Dorms

  Students that use to walk 9-10 miles have a place to stay on campus

• Construction of the Home Economics Building

  This building will be used for classes such as sewing and cooking

• Teacher’s meeting room is now furnished with books, tables and chairs

• Funds have been raised and we are developing a  supplemental funds program to support students with school fees

Current Projects

• School Construction: The Dinning Hall and Teacher’s Quarters

• Clean Water: Working with Rotary to construct wells for clean drinking water

Our effort to rebuild their community will help these residents of Sierra Leone heal and continue to go forward with their lives.

For any questions or suggestions please contact us directly.

This is a story of a princess

Sarah is a biracial young woman who was adopted as an infant by a middle class white couple, Jim and Judith Culberson, from West Virginia. When Sarah was eighteen she decided to seek out her biological parents only to discover that her birth mother had died of cancer. After suffering the disappointment of her mother's death it was years later Sarah resumed her search and found her biological father. His name is Joseph Konia Kposowa and is a member of a ruling family in the Mende tribe, in the southern province of Sierra Leone, West Africa. Sarah by birthright is a princess and one day could be Paramount Chief.

Sarah had no idea that a trip to Africa to meet her biological father for the first time, would change her life forever.

Bumpe, Sierra Leone, West Africa.  Francis Kposowa, Sarah’s grandfather, was Paramount Chief, the role her Great Uncle, Thomas Kposowa now fills.  Sarah’s father Joseph Kposowa was next in line to be Paramount Chief due to the beloved Kposowa name among the Mende people in the Southern Province (The Bo District).  As Head Master of Bumpe High School, which was ransacked and burned during the decade long rebel war, Joseph could not in good conscience turn his back on his broken school to take on the role of Paramount Chief. His father Chief Francis Kposowa was one of the High School's founding fathers, and understood better than anyone the importance of the school to the people.

The Kposowa Foundation

The Kposowa Foundation is dedicated to rebuilding the essential infrastructure and school buildings of Bumpe High School and the creation of jobs in Bumpe, Sierra Leone, West Africa. Before the civil war, Bumpe High School was a renowned boarding school with an enrollment of over 600 students from as far away as Nigeria. Our first goal is to see Bumpe High School regain its prominence as a shinning star of academic excellence in West Africa.

An excerpt from a letter written by Derwin Aikens (12), a Brentwood student, expresses the Kposowa Foundation’s purpose most profoundly… "If you want the world to be better, you have to train the children of today to think that it can be. The children are the future and they will make the future good or bad depending on what they are taught growing up.  We are trying to help education in the country so that the future of Africa and Sierra Leone will be better."