The Ishmael Beah Foundation (IBF) was founded in 2009 and is named after its Founder and current President, Ishmael Beah.

Ishmael Beah was born in Sierra Leone, West Africa and lived through the country’s civil war, a conflict that devastated people and villages across the nation. At the age of 13, Ishmael was recruited to fight in the war. With help from UNICEF, Ishmael left the army, and he received immense support from organizations, family, and friends during his rehabilitation process. The resources that were given to him helped him manage the trauma from fighting in war. More importantly, he received the support to continue his education and pursue higher learning in the United States. Now, Ishmael lives a thriving life as a celebrated author and activist in the United States.

Filled with the passion to provide children affected by war with the same opportunities that he received, Ishmael created and launched IBF in 2007. By 2009, 50 students from different regions in Sierra Leone, West Africa received grants to continue and improve on their education, an opportunity that would not have existed if it weren’t for the Foundation’s help. 

In 2011, IBF opened its first college chapter at Ishmael’s Alma mater, Oberlin College. The Oberlin chapter engages students on the topics of international affairs and human rights while helping the Foundation achieve its goals to help children affected by war.

To date, IBF has helped more than 150 children—and the work continues. While its work commenced in Sierra Leone, West Africa, the organization is working on expanding to other parts of the world where children and youth are, or have become, victims of conflicts that are not of their making.

Help us continue our work, and make a difference.