Elder Gilbert Tells Sierra Leone Vice President: ‘We Are Here for the Long Term’

In his first visit as an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Sierra Leone, Elder Clark G. Gilbert met with His Excellency Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh in Freetown on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

Much of their conversation focused on ways the Church of Jesus Christ and the Sierra Leone government can improve the country’s education.

“We love your people, and we are here for the long term,” Elder Gilbert told the vice president. “We have friends of all faiths and are invested in your country. We expect God to bless this country, and we will do our best to help in that.”

Vice President Jalloh expressed gratitude to the Church for bringing BYU–Pathway and Succeed in School, an after-school program for youth, to Sierra Leone.

“The Church is not new to us, and we see the added value of the Church. It fits squarely in the vision for this country,” the vice president said. “We believe that if you provide opportunities to young people, they will be the engine to transform the country.”

Others participating in the meeting were Honorable Haja Ramatulai Wurie, minister of technical and higher education; Sia Fasuluku, deputy chief technical and higher education officer; Sister Christine Gilbert, Africa West Area President Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran; and Elder Kenneth Pambu, an Area Seventy from Sierra Leone whose relationship with these government leaders has played a key role in the Church’s work progressing.

Honorable Wurie, who participated last year in the Church’s Strengthening Families Conference, appreciates the faith’s collaboration on projects that have provided more than 67,000 students with better learning environments and supplies.

“The Church has been a valuable partner,” Wurie said. “The population of Sierra Leone is very young, and we want to provide education and remote jobs for them that will be fulfilling and dignified.”

She also said the Church’s efforts align with the country’s “Big Five Game Changers” program, a series of initiatives aimed at accelerating economic growth, reducing poverty and transforming social structures.

After hearing about Succeed in School, the vice president related a story about a similar type of program he participated in as a young boy. He credits that program for encouraging him to pursue an education, and he is happy the Church is providing youth with that opportunity.

“By giving educational opportunities, you are building a peaceful society,” Vice President Jalloh said. “A girl or a boy will have an opportunity to be a more responsible citizen who can build a strong society.”

Download Photo

He offered to visit the Succeed in School program and share his story with students.

“Your story is inspiring, and we would love to have you speak to Pathway and Succeed in School students,” Elder Gilbert said.

The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to explore future ways of educating the people of Sierra Leone.