SEND began working in Sierra Leone in 2004, when it was contracted by the Government of Sierra Leone and the World Bank as an Intervention Management Agency (IMA) participating in the implementation of the Sierra Leone HIV/AIDS Response Project. Our mission in Sierra Leone is to promote good governance and equality for women and men in Sierra Leone. Our Strategic Direction aims to improve liveliho
ods and promote good governance in the Kailahun District of Sierra Leone with a Vision of having a Sierra Leone where people’s rights and well-being are guaranteed"
The UNDP Human Poverty Index ranks Sierra Leone amongst one of the ten poorest nations in the world. It has one of the highest maternal and child mortality rates, and over 60 percent of the population is illiterate. From 1994 to 2003, the country was gripped by a destructive civil war. Though the conflict ended in 2004, Kailahun District, which was the worst affected by the war, continues to experience economic hardship, heightened by its remoteness from Freetown. The region has primarily received relief aid, but now requires significant development assistance to rehabilitate farms and revitalize economic activities. Women and girls in particular continue to suffer from lack of access to education, productive resources and health services. They remain the most impoverished and vulnerable members of society. As an IMA, SEND was responsible for the appraisal of micro-project applications and monitoring the implementation of successful applicants. In December 2007, SEND carried out a feasibility study and needs assessment of Kailahun District. It found that, due to extreme poverty and food insecurity, there was great demand for interventions that aimed to improve incomes and agricultural practices. Based on this assessment, SEND developed the Livelihood Security Development Project, with support from CORDAID and Christian Aid. The Livelihoods Project aims to increased income and food security, as well as promote modern family planning practices and behaviours that prevent the spread of HIV. As a first step in the programme, three community credit unions have been established to provide savings and loan services. These credit unions are the hub through which other programme activities, such as microfinance and agricultural development, are implemented. In 2009, SEND expanded its programming to include the Kailahun Women in Governance Project, aimed to increase the participation of women in local and national governance. The programme works with the local political parties, the District Council, and grassroots women’s groups, with support from the Global Transparency Fund of DFID. SEND-SIERRA LEONE has an office in Kailahun.
