June 10, 2026
By Aruna Turay, AYV News
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to Sierra Leone, Norma Sánchez Águila, has officially unveiled three Sierra Leonean students selected to pursue medical studies in Cuba under a scholarship programme.
The beneficiaries, Isha Sesay, Janice M. Josephine Brimah, and Nandama Ramneh Thuray, are expected to depart Sierra Leone shortly to begin a seven-year medical training programme in Cuba.
Under the scholarship arrangement, the students will receive comprehensive support throughout their studies, including free tuition, accommodation, uniforms, learning materials, medical care, and three meals daily.
The programme is part of the longstanding educational cooperation between Cuba and Sierra Leone aimed at developing skilled professionals in the health sector.
Addressing the students during the unveiling ceremony, Ambassador Norma Sánchez Águila congratulated them on their achievement and encouraged them to remain committed to their studies and serve as worthy ambassadors of Sierra Leone while in Cuba.
She emphasised the importance of the opportunity being offered and urged the students to make the most of the training, noting that the knowledge and skills they acquire would contribute significantly to Sierra Leone’s healthcare system upon their return.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the three students expressed profound gratitude to the Government and people of Cuba for the life-changing opportunity. They described the scholarship as a dream come true and pledged to work hard to justify the confidence reposed in them.
The students also thanked the Cuban Embassy in Sierra Leone, their families, and all those who supported their academic journey, assuring that they would remain dedicated to their studies and return home equipped with the expertise needed to serve the nation.
“We are deeply honoured to have been selected for this prestigious scholarship programme. We recognise the responsibility that comes with this opportunity and we are committed to excelling in our studies and making Sierra Leone proud,” the students stated.
The scholarship programme has over the years enabled several Sierra Leonean students to pursue higher education in Cuba, particularly in the field of medicine, helping to strengthen the country’s human resource capacity in the health sector.
The latest batch of scholarship recipients is expected to join other Sierra Leonean students currently studying in Cuba, further reinforcing the educational and diplomatic ties between the two nations.
The initiative continues to reflect the strong relationship between Sierra Leone and Cuba, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, and human capacity development.
Cuban Embassy in Sierra Leone