Koinadugu district is both the largest and poorest district in Sierra Leone. People there have the lowest access to clean water, sanitation and health services. There is no electricity and the roads linking villages together are battered and difficult to travel. Malnutrition and child mortality is very prevalent in the area. Children and their families face many barriers daily.

The student population in this region exceeds 50,000 children and youth. Sadly, however, many of these students (and especially girls) are unable to attend school due to the extreme poverty of the family or because of their domestic or farming chores. Further, many children in this region have been orphaned due to disease and war, leaving extended family members responsible for providing for their basic needs.