Guardians of the Earth: Johnretta Primary School Leads Local Environmental Action in Waterloo

At WorldEd Foundation, we are honored to spotlight the inspiring work of Johnretta Primary School, located in Morabie Waterloo, Freetown, Sierra Leone, for their active and heartfelt participation in the Guardians of the Earth project.

Under the visionary leadership of Hon. Emissary Dr. Carlos Richard Sankoh and coordinated locally by Mrs. Lauretta N. Reffell, the students of Johnretta Primary School embraced every phase of this global initiative with passion and determination—despite the many challenges they face.

Project Overview & Activities

Phase 1: Tree Planting & Nursery Development - The students began by planting and nursing seeds on school grounds, caring for them until they sprouted. Their dedication to watering and monitoring the seedlings led to successful growth and transplantation—bringing life and greenery to the school compound.

Phase 2: Environmental Art Creation - In the second phase, students created drawings of their entire school compound and its surroundings, using art to highlight key elements of their environment and the beauty of their community. These artworks served as both education and expression.

Phase 3: Reflection & Awareness - The project concluded with powerful reflections from the students and community. They spoke of how Guardians of the Earth opened their eyes to environmental responsibility and inspired greater awareness within the community about the importance of protecting nature.

“This project has opened the eyes of our children and the entire community. It has helped us realize how we can work together to protect our environment.”— Mrs. Lauretta N. Reffell, Project Leader

Why This Matters

Through tree planting, creative expression, and community education, Johnretta Primary School has become a beacon of local action with global impact. These students are not just learning about sustainability—they’re living it and inspiring their peers and elders to do the same.

This meaningful work is a testament to what can be achieved when education, creativity, and environmental purpose come together. Even in the face of limited resources and difficult circumstances, the students and educators at Johnretta Primary rose to the occasion for the future of our planet.

Show Your Support

The dedication shown by Johnretta Primary School is extraordinary—but they cannot continue this work alone.

We warmly invite you to support these young changemakers by donating:

• In-kind: Stationery supplies, art materials, gardening tools, reusable water bottles

• Financially: To help fund local environmental education efforts and expansion of the project

Your donation, no matter the size, will go directly toward strengthening sustainability education in underserved communities like Waterloo.

To donate, please contact Hon. Emissary Dr. Carlos Richard Sankoh https://wa.link/qr7nmq

Together, we can empower the next generation of Guardians of the Earth and help them protect the future they deserve.

Guardians Of The Earth; Youth For The Planet; Environmental Education; Sierra Leone; Support Education; Donate For Change; Climate Action; Johnretta Primary School; Local Action Global Impact; Life on Land