Aruna Turay, AYV News, September 2, 2026
What started in 2022 with just 62 beneficiaries has grown into a major educational support initiative, with the Baba Guru Nanak Scholarship now providing full scholarships to 350 Sierra Leonean pupils in its 5th edition.
The 2026 scholarship ceremony, organised by Shri Gurudwara Sahib SL Ltd., Lumley, in collaboration with members of the Indian Diaspora, was held on Friday, 28 August, at Sierra Palms in Aberdeen, Freetown.
The initiative is helping children from financially challenged families access quality education by covering school fees and essential learning needs, including school bags, exercise books, stationery, lunch boxes and water bottles.
The 2026 package is valued at more than Le2 billion in old Leones, with additional support provided towards school uniforms and shoes.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mukh Sevadar of Shri Gurudwara Sahib and CEO of Jeety Trading Company, Mohinder Bir Singh Sachdeva (Pa Jeety), said the scholarship reflects the Sikh principle of sharing with others and serving humanity.
“I am doing this because Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught us to help the needy, share with them, put a smile on the face of children, love people and love yourself,” Pa Jeety said.
He described the scholarship as one of the ways he continues to uphold and practise those teachings.
Despite his age, Pa Jeety said he remains committed to serving communities and ensuring that children are given the opportunity to pursue their education without financial barriers.
“Even though age is telling on me, when it comes to serving people, I make sure I do my best. I didn’t have enough sleep because 350 students’ future is in my hands,” he said.
Chairing the ceremony, Harwinder Kaur Khalsa (Shina) urged the beneficiaries to work hard, remain disciplined and develop good character.
India’s Charge d’Affaires a.i. in Freetown, NeerajKumar Saini, also commended the initiative and highlighted India’s broader support to Sierra Leone in education, healthcare and development.
He disclosed that 50 Sierra Leonean students received ICCR scholarships in 2026 to pursue higher education in India, while India is also supporting major development initiatives in the country.
Meanwhile, Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Hon. Sahr Edward Nyuma, described the scholarship as an investment in Sierra Leone’s human capital, urging beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity.
Chairman of the Scholarship Committee, Abdulai Bah, said that from 62 pupils in 2022 to 350 in 2026, the Baba Guru Nanak Scholarship is growing into a powerful bridge between opportunity and ambition for Sierra Leone’s children.
The Baba Guru Nanak Scholarship Scheme, he went on, is mainly sponsored by Shri Gurudwara Sahib in Lumley and members of the Indian diaspora. He said this year’s scholarship package is valued at more than two billion old leones, making it the largest number of beneficiaries since the scheme was introduced in 2022.
He said the initiative started with 62 pupils in 2022, increasing to 130 in 2023, 127 in 2024 and 200 beneficiaries in 2025. “This year, the number has risen significantly to 350 pupils, particularly targeting schools across Freetown, with a strong focus on the western part of the city”.
Speaking about the initiative, Bah said the programme was inspired by the teachings of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, particularly the principles of helping the needy, sharing with others and putting smiles on people’s faces.
He said each beneficiary received full-year school fee support, along with school bags, books, pens, pencils and other essential educational materials. “The scholarship package also provided each pupil with NLe500 in cash to support the purchase of school uniforms and shoes.
The growing number of beneficiaries reflects the expansion of the Baba Guru Nanak Scholarship Scheme and its continued focus on supporting children from communities around Freetown.
The initiative is expected to ease the financial burden on families while helping more children remain in school and pursue their educational ambitions.
