Overview
After a decade-long civil war and the 2014 Ebola outbreak, the majority of Sierra Leone’s population live below the poverty line – surviving on less than $2 per day.
While the country tries to recover, the agricultural sector has experienced a huge decline. Half of the population does not have reliable access to food, and those most severely affected include orphans, Ebola survivors, widows, the elderly, and those living with HIV/AIDS.
Quick Facts
0
yrs
duration of Sierra Leone’s civil war
0
%
of the population is estimated to live below the poverty line
0
people died from Ebola during the outbreak
Our Projects
Working with The Evangelical Fellowship of Sierra Leone, Tearfund is providing seeds, tools, and training to farmers in an effort to help them increase their crop output. Vulnerable families are able to fight food insecurity and increase their income to look forward to healthier and more secure futures.
Project 1
Food security in Port Loko
Problem
Low agricultural productivity and lack of crop diversification has led to widespread chronic hunger.
Challenges
Farmers lack reliable access to agricultural inputs such as seed and fertilizer. Limited infrastructure (such as roads) inhibits any efforts to bring crops to market. Past tragedies such as civil war and Ebola still loom in the minds of communities.
Activities
Tearfund is working with the local church to train over 300 households in 8 different communities in conservation agriculture where they will learn simple, cost-effective agricultural techniques. Farmers are also being provided small amounts of seed and tools to help them set-up their farms. This project also encourages crop diversification and nutritional education, helping families eat more well-rounded diets to prevent malnutrition.
Details
- Location: 8 Communities in Port Loko District
- Timeframe: 2018-2022
- Funding needed: $660,000
Outcome
Through this project, over 300 households will gain access to reliable, nutritious food - breaking the cycle of hunger in their communities. Local churches will be encouraged and better equipped to reach out into their communities and share God’s love to their neighbours.
Project 2
Hope for Port Loko
Problem
The combined impacts of civil war and Ebola in Sierra Leone have destroyed rural farming communities. Reduced incomes, lack of food and poor nutrition have led to extreme poverty.
Challenges
The tragedies of civil war and Ebola continue to impact communities. Farmers lack reliable access to seed and fertilizer in order to produce crops and make a living. Limited access to roads prevents farmers from being able to sell their crops in markets, and this pushes families further into poverty.
Activities
Tearfund is working with the local church to train communities in conservation agriculture where they will learn simple, cost-effective agricultural techniques. As production continues to grow and the farmers of Port Loko continue to work toward self-sufficiency, economic opportunity, and agricultural sustainability, the demand for cassava processing has grown.
Details
- Location: Port Loko District
- Timeframe: May 2021 – May 2022
- Budget: $25,000
Outcome
10 additional cassava processing machines will be provided to the 10 farming co-ops in Port Loko. Processing and market training will also be provided to help each group mechanize and modernize their farming practices.
Stories of Transformation
Planting Hope and Sharing the Good News
When Aminata heard about six children in their village who lost their parents to the Ebola virus, she determined to help. Aminata decided to welcome the six orphaned children into her home. But with a total of 12 mouths to feed, Aminata was worried. How was she going to provide for so many when they had so little? It was while attending church one day that everything began to change.
Caring for Orphans and Creation
When the Ebola virus hit Kadijah’s village, many children had lost their parents and family members. Kadijah and her husband tried to do everything they could for the community, including adopting six orphaned children. Thanks to an innovative farming program offered by a local church, the family is rising above hunger and extreme poverty.
Partners
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