About Education with Heart Sierra Leone e.V.
Founded on a genuine friendship between two teachers in London.
History & Motivation
Philipp Herzberg and Yoni Sesay met while teaching together at a school in London. That summer, Yoni invited Philipp to visit his home country, Sierra Leone. Traveling through rural villages and witnessing community resilience inspired them to create an association built on mutual dignity and long-term partnership.
Board of Directors & Initiators
Philipp Herzberg
Son of a German diplomat (most recently Ambassador in Lima, Peru). Grew up relocating to a new country every three years. This upbringing shaped his core conviction: immersing oneself in unfamiliar cultures is vital for personal growth, grounding oneself, reflecting on privilege, and discovering alternative life perspectives.
Barbara Nicholson
Dedicated educator at Private Kant-Schulen Berlin and co-founder. She has co-led the educational trips and school development initiatives from day one.
Yoni Sesay
Educator living and teaching in London for over 20 years. Originally from the village of Mafabaneh, he serves as an indispensable cultural bridge, interpreter, and on-the-ground organizer with deep community trust.
Our Local Partners
Juliet Jeneba Fornah & Welfare Alert Sierra Leone
Partner for Mamoru Primary School • Makeni
Leading child welfare advocacy and school construction oversight in the Bombali district since 2015.
Yoni Sesay & Kaprr Yoni Global Learning Hub
Partner for Mafabaneh Learning Hub & Field Journeys
Native to Mafabaneh, coordinating educational programs and inter-community peace accords.
Official Legal & Charity Governance Documents
As a registered charity in Germany, we publish our core legal and financial governance documents for complete transparency.
Articles of Association (Statutes)
Official statutes detailing the nonprofit educational mandate and governance framework.
Tax Exemption Certificate (Gemeinnützigkeit)
Official tax-exempt certification for educational philanthropy issued by the Berlin tax authority.
Register of Associations Excerpt (VR 41272 B)
Certified court registration excerpt from the Local Court of Charlottenburg (Berlin), VR 41272 B.
Annual Financial Audit & Grant Accountability
Audited receipts and disbursements verifying zero administrative overhead deducted from donor funds.
Transparent Civil Society Commitment
Voluntary public disclosure framework detailing leadership, source of funds, and project expenditures.