Allies in Development

Earlier this week, 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, responded to the 𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝟭𝟱-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿-𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹 whose case was referred to us through one of the community schools we support on safeguarding.

This child’s vulnerability was not created by one moment alone. It was shaped by poverty, neglect, and unsafe conditions where survival too often depends on risking one’s safety.
Our team supported the survivor to 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 and 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 at the 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗯𝗼 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿, and we will continue monitoring the case closely.

But cases like this also expose another difficult reality: families often cannot afford the cost of seeking justice, including transportation, medical follow-up, and documentation. Yet local organizations like ours cannot turn survivors and their families away. We carry these responsibilities with extremely limited resources.
Child protection requires stronger investment in safeguarding systems, survivor support services, and community-based organizations already doing this work every day.

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 | 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸, 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 👠 🏢🍼 🥣 🧹 👩🏾

Today, we recognize and celebrate the dignity of work, and the millions of workers whose contributions sustain our economies, communities, and homes.

At 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, we take this moment to especially acknowledge the critical contributions of 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, work that is foundational to society but continues to be undervalued

Evidence shows the scale of this imbalance. According to 𝗨𝗡 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻, women spend an average of 𝟰.𝟯 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝘆 on unpaid care and domestic work, nearly three times more than men, who spend 𝟭.𝟲 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀. This unequal distribution limits women’s opportunities to participate fully in paid employment and economic life.

In Sierra Leone, where women make up 𝟱𝟮.𝟭% 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, labour force participation is relatively high for both 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 (𝟳𝟭.𝟱%) 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗻 (𝟳𝟱.𝟱%). Yet these figures mask a deeper injustice:

• An estimated 𝟵𝟲.𝟲% 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 are engaged in informal employment
• 𝟰𝟬.𝟭% 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 are engaged in unpaid domestic and care work

We must speak honestly: women’s unpaid domestic and care work falls outside the scope of Sierra Leone’s labour laws and policies, yet it is this work that makes conflict-free homes possible, keeps families functioning, and subsidizes the economy every day.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘆, 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗱
Because decent work must include:
✔ Fair wages
✔ Social protection
✔ Recognition of unpaid care and domestic work

The journey toward labour rights and equity in #𝗦𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 continues. We call on policymakers and institutions to advance this work with 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆.

Today, we celebrate Mrs. Massah Mary Kanu, an exceptional leader and a driving force behind our mission at Allies in Development.
Happy Birthday to our remarkable Programmes Director! Your unwavering commitment to ending violence against women continues to inspire us all. Your work not only uplifts communities but also gives hope to countless women and girls.
On your special day, we celebrate you, your achievements, and the powerful difference you make every single day. May the year ahead bring you continued strength, joy, and even greater impact.
Happy Birthday once again—we are proud to have you lead the way!

📢 📢 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹

This week, we marked an important milestone at Friends in Sport School with the official
launch of our 𝗔𝗶𝗗 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗯.

Friends in Sport is a primary and secondary school serving learners from the Kamayama community in Freetown.
The establishment of the AiD club is part of our ongoing collaboration with the school to advance a 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲-𝗼𝗳-𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵, ensuring student safety and wellbeing at the center of learning.

Working closely with the school leadership, teachers, and students, this partnership focuses on:

🔶Strengthening safeguarding and child protection systems within the school
🔶Establishing clear reporting protocols and referral mechanisms
🔶Building the capacity of teachers to act as first responders and safeguarding focal persons
🔶Supporting student-led clubs that promote dialogue, awareness and positive action

The AiD school clubs provide safe spaces where students learn to recognize, prevent and respond to gender-based violence, raise awareness, and contribute to a culture of respect and equality, both within their schools and the wider community.

Through engagements like this, we continue to strengthen school communities and move
closer to our shared goal of safety for women and girls.


WholeOfSchoolApproach CommunityAction

📢📢𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀. 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲. 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲.

International Women’s Day is more than a celebration; it is a critical platform for change. As civil society and government actors in Sierra Leone commemorate progress, we must ask: Are we achieving impact, or are we simply following a routine?

Despite decades of advocacy, the statistics tell a sobering story:

▪️ 𝗔 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁: 22 years after the 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 recommended social protection for survivors of civil war sexual violence, these needs remain unaddressed.

▪️ 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: Government spending on social protection (excluding healthcare) sits at approximately 𝟬.𝟴% 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗗𝗣, well below the regional average.

▪️ 𝗔 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆: Between 2022 and 2023, 𝟮𝟭,𝟲𝟳𝟵 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 were reported, yet 𝗳𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝟴% reached prosecution.

Behind these numbers are real lives. At 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, we are calling on leadership to move beyond rhetoric and prioritize:

1️⃣ 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲: Rigorous prosecution for survivors.
2️⃣ 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀: Immediate support for those at risk.
3️⃣ 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: Economic pathways to help women exit abusive
environments.
4️⃣ 𝗗𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲: Comprehensive long-term physical and mental health support.
5️⃣ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝗥𝘂𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: Safe, institutionalized protection programs. We thank activists and CSOs working tirelessly for gender equality and we urge the government to listen, invest, and act.

Join us. Engage with leaders. The message remains urgent: 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆.

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day — “𝘎𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘎𝘢𝘪𝘯” — 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻. It speaks to the spirit of generosity and underscores a simple but profound truth: 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲.
At 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, we remain steadfast in our commitment to nurturing the growth and potential of women. 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘄𝗲 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲. We firmly believe that meaningful empowerment initiatives are essential to advancing gender equality and building resilient communities.
On this remarkable day, 𝘄𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝘀𝘂𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲. 𝗪𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵, 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻, 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱.
We extend our warmest wishes to every woman on this International Women’s Day, and 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲.

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗭𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯’𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 🎓✂️

Two years ago, 𝗭𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘆 made a courageous decision 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆. With a clear goal of becoming a self-employed tailor, she enrolled in professional training, with support from 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 and today, we are proud to celebrate her achievement.
On Saturday, 21 February 2026, 𝗭𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴. Her graduation marks not just the completion of a course, but the beginning of a new chapter of economic independence and professional growth.
Zainab participated in 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁’𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. Through this intervention, she received a training scholarship, along with targeted financial and material support designed to remove barriers to learning and stability while she focused on developing her skills.
𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. By strengthening professional capacity and income-earning potential, women are better positioned to achieve long-term safety, and financial security for themselves and their families.
Zainab’s journey is a powerful reminder of why this work matters. We remain committed to supporting women and girls to build futures defined by choice, dignity, and opportunity.
Our 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿, 𝗠𝗿𝘀. 𝗞𝗮𝗻𝘂, joined 𝗠𝗿𝘀. 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗧𝗩𝗘𝗧 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, as a guest speaker at the graduation ceremony, celebrating years of partnership in advancing skills development for women in the Grafton community.

Congratulations, Zainab. We are proud of you.

📍 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹

We recently visited 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹, a school serving families in Kamayama community, Freetown.

𝗔𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹-𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 (𝗦𝗚𝗕𝗩) 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲, we are proud to partner with 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 to implement a comprehensive, 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲-𝗼𝗳-𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵.

Through this partnership, we are working together to:
🔶 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹
🔶 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀
🔶 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀
🔶 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗯𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

During this visit, 𝘄𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗯 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲. This partnership is part of our whole-of-school approach to building safer learning environments for every child.

This partnership represents one important step in 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁.

Together, we are building safer schools.

📢 📢 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁: 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 & 𝗦𝗲𝘅 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

We recently hosted 𝗠𝗿. 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗾𝘂𝗼𝗶, Advocacy and External Relations Manager of 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲, at our office for a preliminary visit and discussion on potential areas of collaboration.
The visit focused on exploring opportunities to strengthen 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝘅 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, including reproductive health training for our 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀. These educators would, in turn, replicate the training with young people in our 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗯𝘀, extending accurate information and prevention-focused education to adolescents and youth.
These discussions form part of our broader work to equip schools and communities with the tools needed to support violence prevention, informed decision-making, and the wellbeing of women and girls.
We appreciate the time and openness shared during this initial engagement and look forward to continuing conversations on how our organizations can collaborate to strengthen community-based education and prevention efforts.



Miatta Paula Thomas | Mamoud Bah (BA, LLB, BL, LLM) | Harilyn Brima | Massah Ruth Kailie | Mariam Kamara

📢 📢 𝗟𝗶𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀’ 𝗢𝗻𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽

On Saturday, 𝟯𝟭 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, Allies in Development hosted an onboarding and orientation workshop for 𝟭𝟴 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 from 𝟵 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 across the 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗨𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗥𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 districts of Sierra Leone.
This virtual onboarding and orientation workshop marked the beginning of our collaboration with newly appointed liaison teachers who will play a central role in strengthening school-based safeguarding and violence‑prevention systems. The session focused on:

🔹Introducing teachers to Allies in Development’s school-based violence prevention and response program.
🔹Aligning on safeguarding duties, reporting protocols, and referral pathways.
🔹Sharing our strategic roadmap for school collaboration in 2026 and beyond

We were pleased to be joined by teachers from the following partner schools:
🔹War Wounded Academy
🔹Freetown Secondary School for Girls
🔹Beacon High School
🔹Providence School
🔹All Nations Academy
🔹Samstead Academy
🔹Friends in Sports
🔹Divine Grace Academy
🔹SOS Hermann Gmeiner International School

We look forward to deepening collaboration with our partner schools as we work together to prevent and respond to violence and promote safe learning environments across Sierra Leone.

Merry Christmas to from the AiD community to you.