25/05/2026
In many farming communities across Sierra Leone, staple produce such as rice, cocoa, coffee, groundnuts, cassava, and pepper plays an integral role in sustaining families and driving economic growth. For thousands of households, agricultural income is the only lifeline for paying school fees and medical bills. However, because farmers lose up to 30% of their harvest due to a lack of adequate preservation and processing facilities, post-harvest losses leave families stranded, depriving children of quality food and education.
Since 2023, we have been working closely with communities across Sierra Leone to construct solar dryers using local resources, while providing vital training in post-harvest management and sustainable agricultural practices. Following five months of extensive community engagement, construction, and training, we are thrilled to mark a major milestone this weekend. As an implementing partner of the UNESCO x Nestlé grant, supporting our Project Lead, Vaffie Umaru, we officially handed over a well-equipped Solar Energy Dryer to the people of the Samie community. This facility will serve as a critical solution to reducing post-harvest losses for a variety of agricultural produce especially rice, cocoa, and cassava, which are the primary crops of this region.
This building marks our fourth facility to date, directly supporting over 2,000 farmers across three communities within the Jongo Section, Bagbwe Chiefdom, Bo District, in southern Sierra Leone. We extend our deepest gratitude to our partners, funders, and supporters like you, whose continuous support brings our impactful work to more communities.
