About the J T Reffell Memorial School
The Reffell Primary School was established by James Thomas Reffell, to help the less fortunate children of Sierra Leone whose parents could not afford expensive school fees. The school opened its doors in 1940 to twenty seven boys and twelve girls from the ages of seven to twelve. The school was very successful and by 1952 the number of students had increased to over three hundred. For several years his wife Phebean Reffell led the school in the role of Proprietress and Head Teacher. After many years of hard and dedicated she handed that work over to her daughters Pearl and Daisy in 1986.
In 1989 the school acquired its new name of JT Reffell French Friendship Memorial School as a reflection of the contribution of the French Government who gave substantial financial assistance toward the school. However because of the protracted war in the country, the project was not completed.
Today the school has an enrolment of nearly 600 students and is located in cramped temporary classrooms at Tower Hill. As a non-assisted school, funds are urgently needed in cash or in kind to continue construction of the new building and for the improvement of the current facilities at Tower Hill.
Our Founders
J T Reffell
Phebean Reffell
