CRC student named senior prefect of school

Reported by Victor Kanu, CRC Case Manager

Hannah Smith has been named Senior Prefect of Methodist Girls High School in Bo.  We are so proud of this Child Reintegration Centre student, and how she has overcome insurmountable obstacles in her young life.

Senior prefect is a big honor, but also a huge responsibility, roughly equivalent to being the president of the student body in a US high school. As senior prefect, Hannah represents the students before the administration, organizes events, helps maintain discipline and academic performance, and mentors other students.  Hannah was selected on the basis of a written examination, a verbal interview with the school administration, and her excellent academic performance.  

"I am very happy for this position," Hannah says.  "I can now talk to my colleagues in school on issues affecting their education and other related activities.  This has motivated me to study more to maintain my performance in school.  

Hannah comes from a very vulnerable family, and her childhood was not easy.  For several years, she and her brother Paul were separated from their handicapped father, who was unable to care for them until his situation was stabilized with the help of the Child Reintegration Centre's family strengthening program.  Hannah and Paul were reunited with their father Paul Sr after living for several years in the residential centre during a very precarious time for their family.  You can read more about their story in our Fall 2018 magazine.  

Hannah has always wanted to be a leader in her home, community, church and school.  "My aim is to be president of Sierra Leone," she says.  Her best friend Elizabeth is proud of her friend.  "I am blessed to have a friend like Hannah," Elizabeth says.  "She has helped me change my negative behavior to a positive one.  She is like a mentor to me."

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