The 2014 outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa was the “largest, most severe and most complex Ebola epidemic” in history.
Sierra Leone
Why World Vision is in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone enjoys overall stability. Agricultural production, the country’s main economy, is coming in at above-average levels. And the government is working to bring stability to families who are still vulnerable, helping them build resilience with food and income so they can thrive. This summer, Sierra Leone experienced one of their worst natural disasters in decades. The capital city, Freetown, was hit by devastating landslides and floods resulting from an unusually heavy rainy season. Thousands of families lost their homes, but a quick response from the government along with medical and rescue teams brought shelter and treatment to the displaced people. Thanks to your support, we brought essentials, including blankets, water purification systems and school supplies, to affected families. With your support, our work in Sierra Leone is bringing improved schools and sanitation to over a dozen rural communities. Collaborating with other local partners, we helped communities build over 200 furnished classrooms, nearly 100 improved pit latrines with hand-washing stations and 10 wells fitted with pumps. All these changes mean kids are learning in healthy and safe environments, so they can grow up strong and well-equipped to continue changing their communities.
We never give up on people
World Vision child sponsorship looks at all the things that prevent children from surviving and thriving in their community, and then works with that community to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to build a better life for all children. For sponsors, it’s a personal way to show God’s love to a child in need in a life-changing way.
Sponsor a child in Sierra Leone ❯
Progress in Sierra Leone
Thanks to the generous support of donors, we’re making great progress toward the well-being of children and their families.
Child Protection and Care
Boys and girls are safe and valued, well cared for by their families, and participating in their communities as agents of transformation.
- Through the formation of new children's groups and participation on the Day of the African Child in Sierra Leone, children are learning leadership and confidence-building skills. Through a collaboration with partners, children were taught about child rights, in particular their right to get an education, and techniques to advocate for these rights.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- To address the high infant mortality rate in Sierra Leone, women were trained on the benefits of giving birth with the help of a medical professional. This training had the added benefit of encouraging pregnant women to register births at health clinics, where all newborns are issued with birth certificates. Birth certificates are necessary in order to access government services, like education and healthcare.
- Organized training's were held in Sierra Leone, where pregnant women learned about safe motherhood practices, including exclusive breastfeeding and newborn care. Baby kits were also distributed to women who attended 4 post natal visits.
Education for Better Lives
Children have opportunities to learn and to develop their talents, young people are equipped for the future, and families and communities support children's education.
- Through awareness campaigns in Sierra Leone, perceptions around education are beginning to change. More parents are sending young girls and boys to preschool, which gives them opportunities to develop essential skills that help them later transition to grade school.
- To improve education quality in Sierra Leone, teachers were supported to improve their teaching methods through completion of a teaching certificate program endorsed by the ministry of education.
Prayer Requests from Sierra Leone
World Vision's staff in Sierra Leone are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:
God to divinely protect all the children we serve from sickness, harm, and abuse.
God to give our staff determination to live out our Christian faith and calling with boldness and humility.
News from Sierra Leone
Prayers
Covering the world in prayer: Pray for West Africa
Pray for West Africa: Pray for political and economic stability, maternal and child health, and sponsored children.
From the Field
Tropical storms, flooding wreak havoc around the world
Hurricane Harvey and flooding around the world is captured in 12 stunning photographs by World Vision photographers as we respond to these natural disasters.
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