10/03/2026
In August, World Hope International’s Enable the Children program (ETC) and the Lady Ellen's Women's Aid Foundation (LEWAF) 🎊 celebrated the second annual Village Savings Box share-out ceremony. Many caregivers have faced uncertain futures as caring for a child with a disability often limits opportunities to earn an income; it leaves families heavily dependent on external support. The group was first established in 2024 with 26 caregivers and today, those same caregivers are running small businesses, saving regularly, accessing loans, and investing in their futures. 💛
The impact was evident throughout the celebration. The amount borrowed and reinvested into businesses had doubled compared to the previous year.
One caregiver's story captured this transformation perfectly. When she was first invited to join the savings group, Reginia asked why she had been selected. She did not believe she could succeed in business. Through business skills training, encouragement, and access to savings and loans, she became one of the group's most active members. As her child, who has severe cerebral palsy and has been part of the program for 13 years, prepares to graduate she said ‘‘I am not afraid for when we leave the ETC program, because I have a means of my own now. In the past, the thought of leaving ETC would have caused me great anxiety. Today, I believe I have the skills, resources, and resilience to continue support my family independently.’’
The event brought together community leaders and a representative from the Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues, who commended the caregivers for their determination and encouraged them to continue building on their success. After 2 years of implementation and learning with caregivers, our team is now exploring opportunities to expand this initiative across the wider program. This partnership with LEWAF helps families move beyond dependence and towards lasting self-reliance. For these caregivers, the Village Savings Box is more than a financial initiative. It is a pathway to dignity, opportunity, and hope for the future.
