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A Day in the Life of Sallay

Sallay’s teacher told us he can always hear her coming because of the distinctive sound of her old, broken school shoes.

For girls like Sallay, education is the key to breaking down barriers and unlocking a brighter future. We’re so grateful to Sallay for inviting us into her home and sharing a glimpse into her life. Despite the daily hardships she faces, Sallay is determined to go to school and get an education.

Meet the Photographer: Hickmatu Leigh, Sierra Leone

Hickmatu is a dedicated public health professional and award-winning photographer with a passion for storytelling and raising awareness of social issues. She seamlessly merges her expertise in public health with her artistic abilities to craft compelling visual narratives that resonate with audiences and drive positive change.

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Sallay’s smile stood out to us as we approached a group of children in Allen Town, Sierra Leone. Her energy shone through the curious faces that had gathered to greet us.
Sallay, aged 11, is one of the thousands of children who you can directly support through this year’s CODE #Giving Tuesday Campaign!
Sallay was forced to leave home to go live with her Auntie when she was just seven years old, moving over 350 kilometers away for a chance to go to school.
Even still, she walks nearly an hour each day – through rough terrain and facing the threat of violence – to reach her school.
Sallay’s teacher told us he can always hear her coming because of the distinctive sound of her old, broken school shoes.
Because Sallay is a girl, she’s burdened with responsibilities that get in the way of an education. Worldwide, UNICEF estimates that only 49 per cent of countries have achieved gender parity in primary education.
While living with her brother, she was expected to miss classes to do chores. Now that she lives with her Auntie, school attendance is a priority, but chores and caregiving still come before homework.
Sallay’s family depends on the meagre income from her Auntie’s porridge sales. In this household, tummies are often empty because there simply isn’t enough money or food to go around.
Their home has no running water or electricity, meaning that Sallay does her homework using a flashlight after the sun has set.
Despite being 11 years old, Sallay struggles to read – and it’s not for her lack of trying. Like so many other children, she’s at high risk of falling through the cracks!
The guidance of a well-trained teacher and access to books could go a long way toward building her literacy skills.
Learning to read without books, is like learning to ride a bike….without a bicycle. This campaign is all about books, books, books – a critical tool in helping children learn to read.
You can help children like Sallay learn to read, complete their education, and build a better future. Please donate today to help develop, print and distribute 55,000 copies of 12 brand-new locally written and illustrated books. For just $320, you can help print 400 books and for $3,184, you can provide a school with an entire mobile library!
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