Jeneba Kappia, a young woman from West Africa, aspired to get her bachelor’s degree in international relations at Webster University in the hope of becoming a lawyer in her home village of Bumpe, a small town in Sierra Leone, West Africa. The journey so far has been relatively smooth, but not without its obstacles.
Nonprofit Sierra Leone Rising Foundation funded Kappia’s college education for two years at Webster University’s Ghana campus until it closed at the end of 2023. Kappia, now 23, was allowed to continue her studies at the Webster Groves campus during the 2024 spring semester.
But the foundation could not afford to send her back this fall, due to the death of one of its primary benefactors. With two years left to complete her bachelor’s degree, Kappia was devastated.
Wanting to help Kappia continue her education, the Webster Groves community rallied to help.
As recent empty nesters, Webster Groves residents Sarah and Jeff Smith had been considering hosting an international student when Sarah Smith saw a post on the Webster Groves Community Connect Facebook page seeking room and board for Kappia.
“That seemed like the stars aligned,” Sarah Smith said, noting she and her husband then connected with Kappia to discuss more details, as well as learn about her plans for school and her family.
“Jeneba had done everything in her power to continue her education and, as the only female in her family to pursue a college degree, that was incredibly inspiring,” Sarah Smith said. “She is a joyful, smart and interesting young woman. Her desire to help her country improve with her knowledge, rather than leave her country permanently, impressed us. How could we not help her?’”
The Smiths began corresponding with Jennifer Klein, a Rotarian from Colorado, and Sierra Leone Rising Foundation co-founder, Sarah Culberson of Los Angeles, who had been instrumental in Kappia’s journey to the United States. They discussed how to get Kappia back to school to finish her degree. The “village” was instantly expanded and a plan was formulated.
The Smiths’ network included a Webster Groves resident, who volunteered 100,000 frequent flyer miles toward the 125,000 miles needed for Kappia’s return flight to the U.S. When the logistics got complicated, the resident (who wishes to remain anonymous) graciously offered to cover the entire flight. Kappia was back!
Sierra Leone Rising Foundation co-founder, Culberson, was adopted as a baby. In a 2004 ancestry quest, Culberson learned she was related to African royalty, a ruling Mende family in Sierra Leone, and was considered a “mahaloi,” — the child of a paramount chief, with the status of a princess.
“I knew Sierra Leone had been through an 11-year civil war, but didn’t know what that meant,” she said. “Two years after the war, people were still fearful, missing arms and legs from war, and lacking clean drinking water.”
Culberson’s birth father was the Principal of the school in Bumpe, where teachers and students would go to hide and study.
Culberson saw the struggles and heard the stories of those in the village. As an actress in her 20s, trying to make ends meet in L.A., she thought: “I can’t go back to the U.S. acting as if I didn’t see this. This is my family.”
In 2006, Culberson and her brother, Hindogbae Kposowa of Sierra Leone, started the Sierra Leone Rising Foundation. Initially established to support education and rebuild Bumpe High School after the Blood Diamond War, the nonprofit has since expanded its mission and initiatives to include women’s empowerment programs, clean drinking water and health care to work toward sustainable development in the Bumpe Ngao Chiefdom.
Kappia was born in Bumpe. The daughter of Lucy Kappia and William Sapso Kappia, she is the youngest of seven children. Her father was a teacher and Vice Principal at Bumpe High School but died unexpectedly from a heart attack when Kappia was just 13.
Her mother, a petty trader, impressed upon her that she’d have to make her way.
“My whole life, I was taught by my mum to fight hard to become a successful woman,” Kappia said. “She encouraged me to pursue my passions by working with organizations that helped my community.”
Kappia worked with organizations including Sierra Leone Rising and World Vision. She participated in a program addressing teenage pregnancy in the fifth grade, learned about solutions to early marriage, attended a workshop on climate change and more. Her kids club presented a play about how young girls are affected by poverty and lack of parental care.
Kappia and her colleagues also developed a program to provide access to feminine hygiene products and taught local girls about hygiene and how to avoid sexually transmitted diseases.
“Doing this work makes me proud that I have an African parent, who is not educated, but values my interest in education and my urge to take a stand on issues that affect my community,” she said.
Kappia’s mother also believed an international education would help her be successful.
“Following my father’s death, I was fortunate to be offered a scholarship to continue my education in Canada because of my dedication to education and contributions to the community,” said Kappia.
After two years at Bumpe High School, she completed her schooling at Appleby College, a prestigious Canadian high school.
Enter Sandy Burkhart of the Boca Raton Rotary Club. Burkhart went to medical school with Culberson’s adoptive father and both were professors at Webster University.
Following the death of Culberson’s mother, Burkhart vowed to help Culberson with the foundation that sponsored Kappia and became a huge benefactor. But difficult financial decisions had to be made when Burkhart died, resulting in what appeared to be the end to Kappia’s education in the states.
Kappia’s passion for improving lives sparked her interest in international development studies, law and policy.
“After university, I plan to use my degree to serve my country as a lawyer and, if opportunities arise, would like to work in the United Nations system in the area of human rights,” she said. “I want to become an advocate for the needy, and the voiceless, and help improve the lives of members of my little village in Sierra Leone.”
Culberson gave Kappia kudos for her determination.
“It’s incredible for an African woman to finish high school, much less go to high school and college in another country,” said Culberson. “Her getting an education in America will support her when she goes back to Sierra Leone — respect, credibility and employment opportunities.“
Community members can help provide a fitting end to this inspirational trilogy, with Kappia achieving her dreams. The biggest challenge now is funding her tuition and daily incidental expenses over the next two years. Donations can be made to Sierra Leone Rising at sierraleonerising.org/donate. Earmark “Jeneba Kappia” in the notes.
