Sponsor a Child in Sierra Leone

 

Located on Africa’s west coast at about the size of South Carolina, Sierra Leone is still recovering from a ruthless 10-year civil war that ended in 2002. Tens of thousands of lives were lost and about a third of the population was displaced. The country ranks 180 out of 182 countries on the UN Human Development Index.

Sierra Leone’s maternal and infant mortality rate is among the world’s highest because of malnutrition and lack of access to healthcare. It is one of the world’s poorest countries. Almost three out of four people live on less than the equivalent of $2 a day.

“ChildFund Sierra Leone remains committed to reinforcing its position as one of the leading child agencies in Sierra Leone.”

The Impact of War

To assist the post-war healing process, we’re working with community partners to reintegrate thousands of people. More than 1,000 adults have been trained to support children’s rights and psychosocial education. We also provide vocational training for unaccompanied and internally displaced children, children of adult amputees, teenage mothers and unemployed boys. We’ve provided skills training and income-generation projects for more than 400 ex-soldiers and youths in 16 communities in 100 villages.

A Brighter Future for Young Women

Untold numbers of girls and young women were sexually exploited during the war and are now alienated and separated from their families and communities. We work to improve their emotional and physical health by bringing them back into society and providing skills to help them return to their lives and their futures. More than 1,000 girls have already received psychosocial training and 600 are enrolled in income-generating programs.

Child Protection

ChildFund Sierra Leone remains committed to reinforcing its position as one of the leading child agencies in Sierra Leone. We support sexually abused girls through the Sealing the Past, Facing the Future project, supporting unaccompanied children in refugee camps, family mediation, unification and fostering and creating child friendly spaces. Our Child Well-Being Committees help protect the rights of children and keep them from further abuse. “Drop-In Centers” targeted toward street children are safe places with clothing, food and school supplies. They can also take advantage of informal education and skills training as well as counseling.

Children Need to Learn

Nearly 60 percent of Sierra Leone’s school-age children do not attend school. Because education is undervalued, we raise awareness of the importance of literacy and skills training and have created informal schools so that children have access to learning. With the help of our community partners, we are rebuilding schools, providing teaching and learning materials and training educators.

Help a child grow into a productive adult and community leader.
Sponsor a child in Sierra Leone.
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