After spending four years working as a househelp in Dubai, Salla Tourist made the courageous decision to return to her home country, driven by a deep desire to make a difference.
Despite the challenges she faced, including societal expectations and personal sacrifices, Salla embarked on a journey to pursue her dream of providing quality education to the children in her community.
Salla’s journey began humbly, with her teaching children in her mother’s house. What started as a small initiative soon grew into something much larger as more and more children flocked to her makeshift classroom.
“I was teaching my daughter before the neighbors’ kids flocked at home, and the number grew. My mother is also a teacher, so we helped each other. She followed her career at the expense of her marriage because my father thought she was too beautiful to be around men and had killed her dreams of being a teacher,” Salla told Lynne Zaabu.
With the support of her mother, who is also a teacher, Salla laid the foundation for what would eventually become Salla Academy.
The decision to open a school was not solely driven by Salla’s passion for education but also by her concern for the safety and accessibility of schooling for the children in her community.
Recognizing the risks children faced while traveling to distant schools through sugarcane plantations, Salla saw the urgent need for a local educational institution.
Thus, Salla Academy was born, offering education from baby class to PP3 in a safe and conducive environment.
Salla’s determination and resourcefulness were evident as she rallied support from her YouTube community and people around her to bring her vision to life.
With their help, she was able to establish a modern school building and create an environment that fosters learning and growth.