Our programmes

AfCiC entered Sierra Leone in 2001, even while the conflict continued. When hostilities ceased AfCiC carried out much needed post conflict reconciliation and rebuilding work, concluding in December 2005. Initially working with sexually abused and vulnerable young women and girls in the capital Freetown, and war-affected amputees, the work expanded in 2003 to programmes for street kids and vulnerable girls in Makeni, Northern Province All our programmes provided basic literacy, numeracy and counselling, and promoted community re-integration and reconciliation.

FREETOWN

AfCiC Youth Bank

An innovative project that provided small grants to officially registered youth organisations that promoted the well being of young people through income-generation and skills training. The project empowered participating organisations and developed their capacity to act independently.

Amputee Empowerment and Reintegration Project

AfCiC worked closely with the Sierra Leone Single-Leg Amputee Sports Club (SLASC), whose members include many young men who suffered limb amputation during the civil war. Sport was the entry point for promoting psychosocial rehabilitation and social reintegration. AfCiC has provided assistance for capital costs and regular training sessions.

Since 2003 SLASC has grown to 3 teams and around 90 team members with plans for further expansion. AfCiC organised a successful tour to the UK in 2003 – under the banner of 'Play 4 Hope' - where the first team played matches against English club teams from Bolton, Liverpool and Southend, culminating in an international match against the English National amputee team in London. Playing in the teams gave the young team members great joy, helped heal the wounds of their trauma and facilitated their reintegration into the community.

MAKENI

Street Kids Programme

In January 2003, AfCiC established an Interim Care Centre for street kids in Makeni. While providing for the child's basic needs, the child's family was traced and their reunification facilitated or foster care arranged. Approaching the problem of street children holistically, we sensitised community members about the causes, issues and rights of street children; promoted street children's re-integration into society through community Kid's Clubs; and encouraged families to develop sustainable income generating activities to help support their re-unified children. Over 120 children since 2003 were successfully reunited with their families or placed in appropriate care within the community.

Sexually and Physically Abused Girls Programme

Violence against girls and women reached extremely high levels during the civil war. Rather than receiving support from family and community these women were often shunned and despised. From March 2004, with financial backing from UNICEF, AfCiC ran a rolling programme of 6 weeks of literacy, numeracy and counselling for abused girls. These sessions were often the first time the girls had their needs recognised and had an opportunity to learn in a supportive and non-judgemental environment. A Crèche was provided to encourage those with children (often as a consequence of rape) to attend the classes. The programme workers devised and delivered community sensitisation events covering issues of rape, child sexual abuse, gender awareness, human rights and equality.

LUNSAR

Cycle Breaker Programme

This 12-month programme provided literacy, numeracy and skills training to 50 sexually abused and vulnerable young women and girls based in and around Lunsar. Sport, drama and singing were used to promote participants' social and emotional rehabilitation, and facilitated community education.

Please note: With the immediate post-war recovery period in Sierra Leone now over, our work there is now at an end. The information in this section is provided as archived AfCiC background material only. We do not currently direct any of our funding or resources to Sierra Leone.