- D
Preserve the Legacy of the Annie Walsh Memorial School
For more than 175 years, the Annie Walsh Memorial School (AWMS) in Freetown, Sierra Leone, has been shaping the future of women across Africa and beyond. Founded in 1849, AWMS is the oldest secondary school for girls in Sub-Saharan Africa. Celebrated as a beacon of excellence in education and empowerment, it has produced numerous women leaders and professionals who continue to uplift their communities around the world.
Donations from this fundraising initiative (AWMS Archives Project), which is being spearheaded by the Annie Walsh Old Girls Association (AWOGA), will be used to preserve and protect the school's exemplary history, records, and artifacts from being lost.
Specifically, the project has two main goals:
- Renovate the AWMS Archives Room in Freetown to create a safe, climate-controlled preservation space.
- Build a Digital Archives Platform for global access by alumnae, researchers, and the global community.
A Global Legacy
AWMS has left its mark far beyond Sierra Leone. Its alumnae are part of a vibrant global network with AWOGA branches in:
- Australia
- Canada
- The Gambia
- Nigeria
- Sierra Leone
- United Kingdom
- United States (California, Carolinas, Georgia, New York/New Jersey, Texas)
From West Africa to the diaspora, the Annie Walsh name continues to inspire generations.
Why It Matters
Sierra Leone, once known as the “Athens of West Africa,” was a center of academic excellence in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Institutions like Fourah Bay College (1827), Sierra Leone Grammar School (1845), and the Annie Walsh Memorial School (1849) laid the foundation for modern education in the region.
The story of AWMS is a testament to the power of education to transform lives and communities — especially for girls and women. But much of this remarkable history risks being lost if we don’t act now.
Your Gift Makes a Difference
By contributing to this campaign, you are helping to:
- Preserve historical records for future generations
- Honor the achievements of remarkable women
- Celebrate the enduring legacy of education in Africa
Every donation — large or small — brings us one step closer to safeguarding this extraordinary heritage.
Join Us
Let’s ensure that the voices, stories, and accomplishments of Annie Walsh girls — past and present — are never forgotten.
Donate today and help us build the AWMS Archives.
Thank you for being part of this important journey.
Organizer