SHERBRO ISLAND, BONTHE DISTRICT SIERRA LEONE 2025

HOPE POWER
PROJECT

A transformative 3-year journey to empower communities through sustainable development

Rooted in Hope,

Powered by Purpose

The Elba Hope Foundation (EHF) is an international grantmaking public charity founded by Idris and Sabrina Elba. Our mission is to foster transformative, community-led change in the U.S., U.K.,and Africa.

As proud descendants of African immigrants, Sabrina and Idris are committed to leaving a lasting, positive legacy, one that expands opportunity and access for future generations.

The Values That Drive Us

In collaboration with partners, institutions, and social justice organizations in the United States, United Kingdom, and across Africa, the Elbas are advancing educational and economic opportunities, answering the call to educate, organize, and train youth, working for and with future generations.

A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR SHERBRO ISLAND

TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH RENEWABLE ENERGY

Sherbro Island, located two hours from Sierra Leone’s mainland by ferry, is home to approximately 30,000 people. This vibrant community, reliant on fishing and rice farming, faces a significant challenge—lack of reliable electricity, clean water, and internet connectivity.

Most residents have no access to mains electricity, while others depend on costly, polluting diesel generators. The island's students, for example, can only study during daylight hours, limiting their opportunities for success. While energy remains a large issue, clean water is also limited with over 50% of the population without safe, consumable water sources.

Communities have shared they would like context specific, tailored, and low-cost alternatives to address these issues such as solar power; however, the initial costs of installation are out of reach for most.

The Elba Hope Foundation and HOPE POWER partners are working to address this challenge.

This three-year program aims to

Power schools, and central community centers with reliable, clean solar energy.

Enable educational access
through lighting and
connectivity

Support livelihoods by powering cold storage, reducing post-harvest loss, and unlocking digital opportunities.

Preserve ecosystems such as mangrove forests and sea turtle nesting areas by cutting reliance on diesel

Empower women and girls by reducing time spent fetching water through solar-powered clean water systems

A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR SHERBRO ISLAND

OUR APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

In a phased approach informed and co-led by the communities themselves, the Hope Power Project will provide Sherbro island with a dependable power source, education and employment opportunities for years to come.

Together, EHF and our partners are not just building infrastructure, we’re empowering communities, protecting delicate ecosystems, and laying the foundation for a brighter, more sustainable future.

Phase : 1

Solar Power & Classroom Connectivity

Broader Public Solar Infrastructure . Addressing digital access - Closing the global digital divide

Phase : 2

Community Ownership & Skills Development

community involvement and skills development for long-term maintenance of systems

Phase : 3

Clean Water

Implementation of safe water systems (e.g., boreholes, filtration).

Energy

PHASE 1: POWER & CONNECTIVITY

Streetlight Rehabilitation & Broader Public Solar Infrastructure

Solar Market Shade Structure & Community Power Access

Solar powered labs

Local management model piloted for shared resources in market

Energy infrastructure in Sherbro Island is in urgent need of alternative, sustainable energy options. During an in-depth needs assessment, EHF engaged over 400 community members to understand local energy challenges and priorities. Residents consistently emphasized the need for affordable, reliable, and context-specific alternatives to the current grid.

Grid power is only available for a few hours daily, limiting nighttime study, business operations, and safety. Nearly 25% of those surveyed had no energy access at all, relying instead on fuel lamps or portable solar lights.

INTERNET CONNECTIVITY

PHASE 2: COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP, EDUCATION, AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Connectivity tied to education and digital skills, help close the global digital divide

Sherbro Island faces a compounded challenge: unreliable electricity, limited internet connectivity, and few local job opportunities. Mobile data is expensive, and network coverage is inconsistent across the island.

Fewer than 3% of public schools have computer labs, and many students complete school without ever using a computer , limiting access to digital skills and remote opportunities.

These barriers contribute to youth migration, as young people leave in search of education, training, and employment elsewhere.

The Hope Power Project proposes targeted interventions to improve digital inclusion through solar-powered computer labs, connectivity in schools, and foundational training—to expand opportunity and help youth thrive in place.

CLEAN WATER

PHASE 3: CLEAN WATER SOLUTIONSPHASE

Rehabilitate current water systems to provide solar-powered, clean water to communities

Access to water in schools remains limited. Approximately one-third of schools have basic water access, while the majority do not have handwashing facilities, and fewer than 10% offer menstrual hygiene support.

Our study found that 55% of households lacked access to improved sources of water such as protected wells, springs, rainwater collection, or bottled water.

SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE

CATALYTIC OPPORTUNITIES

At the heart of the Hope Power initiative is the belief that access to reliable energy and essential infrastructure can empower communities, transforming lives and unlocking long-term potential.

Solar Energy represents a transformative opportunity for Sherbro Island. By providing clean, renewable power, we’re not just lighting homes and schools—we’re enabling participation in a digital economy, 
connecting communities to greater opportunities and resources globally. Reliable energy is the foundation for education, healthcare, and economic growth, driving a shift from dependence to empowerment.

Clean Water is equally transformative. The global water and sanitation crisis disproportionately impacts women and girls, who collectively spend 200 million hours each day fetching water time that could otherwise be spent on education, employment, or community leadership. By integrating solar-powered water systems into our initiative, we aim to free women and girls from this daily burden, opening doors to education and economic participation while improving overall community health.

Our Impact

Over 20,000 lives on Sherbro Island will be transformed through improved energy access, educational opportunities, and economic growth. The project is informed by and will contribute to larger UN Sustainable Development Goals including a strong alignment with Sierra Leone’s renewable energy goals, setting a precedent for sustainable, scalable progress.

Together, EHF and our partners are not just building infrastructure, we’re empowering communities, protecting delicate ecosystems, and laying the foundation for a brighter, more sustainable future.

06 CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

04 QUALITY  
EDUCATION

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

07 AFFORDABLE AND  CLEAN ENERGY

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

17 PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

13 CLIMATE  
ACTION

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

14 LIFE BELOW
WATER

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

09 INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

“A people first approach to sustainable development solutions.”

Lyndsay Harris-Kyei

Head of Social Impact, Service Now

Join us in shaping what’s possible- one community, one solution, one future at a time.

At the Elba Hope Foundation, we are advancing a bold, practical vision: building a sustainable future, starting with Sherbro Island, and extending far beyond.

The Hope Power Project is more than a single intervention. It’s a blueprint for inclusive development - rooted in community, powered by partnership, and designed to scale. By addressing urgent needs in energy, water, and connectivity, we’re laying the groundwork for long-term resilience and opportunity.

We can’t do it alone.

We invite you to learn more, lend your expertise, and partner with us. Whether you bring capital, creativity, technical skill, or advocacy—your talent and voice have a place in this movement.

Catalytic opportunities

Impact

Get Involved