It was 1999 and after fleeing a coup in his native country, Sierra Leone, to neighboring Guinea West Africa Samuel Thoronka was a man without a country. After several days of sleeping under the sky in the Guinea Capital,Conakry, he met an old friend from Sierra Leone who wanted to start a school for the refugee's children. They rounded up 35 English-speaking children and began teaching them. They made a school out of a porch and shack.

In the years since, the Sabu International School has grown to K-7 school with 150 eager students, 11 staff members, and a group of involved parents. The school now leases two buildings in a fenced in compound and teaches not only refugees from Sierra Leone, but children from Guinea, Ivory Coast, Gambia and Liberia.

Thoronka is the principal and today is in Asheville for a short visit to raise operating funds and resources. "We are making a difference", Thoronka said. "It will be the next generation that goes through Sabu who will spread the message of mutual respect and non-violence" I invite you to a make a difference on child's life."