Our Projects
Sierre Leone
Sierre Leone is one of the poorest countries in Africa and currently it is recovering from the affects of an eleven year war which, despite ending in 2001, has displaced half the population and left villages
in devastation.
In both Freetown and Bo, Charles visited communities to discuss development projects in the slums.The projects include youth training schemes, improvment of living conditions and access roads. This was also an opportunity to speak to community members about their roles and encourage them to take out bank loans so they can achieve the necessary development.
The water supply systems in Sierre Leone have been largely neglected due to the lack of basic services to maintain them. In Freetown repairs of the disused water pipes has begun and new wells are being dug so that communities can have access to clean water.
Improvements to housing, repairs to access roads and the rehabillitation of local businesses are all done by the communities themselves, with the support of Transform Africa. In particular, young people are given an allowance so that they can work for the community and take part in apprentiships and workshops.
Isatu Kamara, a widow with five children, who had received a loan of Le300,000 (the equivalent of £60) to rehabilitate her bakery, had this to say about the scheme:
"We used to make bread for the people of this town. However, the rebels killed my husband and the bakery was vandalised. I fled to Guinea with the children, where we lived for one year. When we returned, we expected the Government to help us to re-establish our business but that help did not come. When I was told about this loan scheme, I applied and received Le.300,000. With the help of my children, we rehabilitated the bakery and bought wheat flour and other ingredients. I have been able to repay the loan, send my children back to school and we are assured of a good meal every day. This scheme has transformed our lives."
