Speaking to AYV on arrival at the Freetown International Airport, the Coordinator of Initiative for Capacity Building (ICPAB) that organizes annual spelling bees in Sierra Leone, Isata Harding, explained that the encounter was hotly contested with a total of sixteen African countries participating. She said although the Sierra Leone Team could not win the ultimate prize, “the Sierra Leone Team which comprised of the youngest participants in the senior category made it to the elimination and came fourth which is very encouraging considering the fact that this is their first time to participate in such a huge international event.”

The Sierra Leone Team comprised of three primary participants: Josephine Blessing Berri – Class 3; Mohamed Amza – Class 3; Isatu Turay – Class 6; Godfreyna Favour Kamara – JSS 3; Christopher M’bawa – JSS 3 and Ishmatu Gbateh – SSS 1.

On arrival, each of them explained to AYV that they happy to have had the opportunity to contest in one of biggest clash of brains in Africa, adding that they are looking forward to participating in other spelling bees in Africa and elsewhere on the world and that henceforth, they are more than determined to study harder in order to become more capable to win trophies in spelling bees for Sierra Leone.

They however received medals and certificates presented to them by the organizers of the Spelling Bee in Uganda.