The Context

Tens of thousands of people died during Sierra Leone’s 11 year Civil War (1991-2002). More than 2 million were displaced, many becoming refugees in neighbouring countries, and over 15,000 boys and girls were kidnapped and forced to fight or used as sex slaves. Children were not only victims of violence but also forced into becoming perpetrators of it by the armed groups. Once hostility ceased, many of these children, although victims, were rejected by their families and communities for their involvement with the rebel forces. Girls who became pregnant by soldiers were ostracized and many were prevented from attending schools. There are very few services available to these children to help them deal with the trauma they have faced and offer them support for their future.

 

The Project

ChildHope has worked with Help A Needy Child (HANC – pronounced “Han-see”) since 2004, supporting vulnerable girls and boys in Bo and Makeni. ChildHope and HANC are working to reintegrate marginalized boys and girl-mothers with their families and communities. Many of these children have been child soldiers, displaced during the war and used as sex slaves by the rebels. The project works very intensively to provide individual and tailor- made support to these children. In order to successfully reintegrate children into society the project provides emotional and educational support and attention, whilst raising awareness about their rights and situation, and trying to change attitudes at the community level. Since the work started:

• Over 600 vulnerable girls and boys have been reunited with their families in Makeni and Bo.
• Children receive counselling, medical services and are supported to return and stay in education or other vocational courses.
• Girl-mothers benefit from the project’s childcare facilities which allows them to attend school, or other vocational courses or apprenticeships.
• Meetings, workshops and other awareness-raising events have taken place with community members, community and religious leaders, parents, and teachers in order to sensitise them to the needs of these boys and girls, and change their attitudes.
• The radio is used extensively to broadcast discussion programmes on this issues publicise the project and its services.
• Through its lobbying and working with government officials it is advocating for children’s and women’s rights.

Challenges and lessons learnt:

• The project has realised the importance of following a community based approach and employing all-local staff, who truly understand the issues facing their community, who are trusted, and so are able to interact successfully.
• By advocating for forgiveness and reconciliation HANC has secured the support of local chiefs and religious leaders, who are now actively participating in the project.
• The project’s innovative use of popular community radio stations to broadcast discussion programmes featuring girls, parents and community leaders has had an important impact not only on community attitudes but also in giving a voice to these boys and girls, and making the work known to a much wider audience.