Stories of Sierra Leone | LKBF Academy | Arman Azad | Sony A7C

In a small town in Sierra Leone, a free school is quietly transforming hunger, trauma and doubt into courage, leadership and hope.​

The Lamin and Kadie Bah Academy was founded by Lamin and Kadie Bah, Sierra Leoneans who built a life in the US and returned to give children what war and poverty tried to take from them: education, integrity and a chance to lead.​

In this short documentary, students share their dreams of becoming doctors, engineers, economists, human rights advocates and leaders who will change their country from “poor to good.” They speak about walking long, difficult roads to school, studying while hungry, and discovering their own voice through public speaking, mentorship and a computer lab they once mistook for televisions.​

This film is an invitation: to see their potential, to feel their determination and, if you can, to stand with them.​

🤍 Get involved/support the Academy:


Directed by: Arman Azad
Produced by: Arman Azad, ISOlation Films
Filmed in: Makeni, Sierra Leone​

Thank you to Br. Sulaiman Bah for inviting me into this exclusive opportunity and constantly opening new doors for me.​

ThanhonorhonoringLamin and Sr. Kadie Bah for embracing me like family, showing me around, generously gifting and caring for me, and giving me the greatest trip of my life, alhamdulillah.​

Thank you to Ousman Camara honoringng every moment vibrant and full of laughter with the corniest dad jokes.​

Thank you to Kai and Katrin for sharing wisdom that transcends generations and keeping me endlessly engaged with your stories.​

And finally, thank you to the students, teachers and staff of the LKBF Academy, and the surrounding communities and tribes, for honoring us as guests and gifting us inspiration, hope and memories for a lifetime.​

Alhamdulillah.

Shot on Sony A7C