We are an NGO and DPO dedicated to improving the lives of disabled and vulnerable children and their families in marginalized communities of Sierra Leone.
About Us: Lifeways Sierra Leone is a disabled person’s organization (DPO) dedicated to empowering children with special needs and the vulnerable, including their families and caregivers, who live in deprived and hard-to-reach communities across Sierra Leone. We believe in building a more inclusive society where every child, regardless of their abilities or socio-economic background, has the opportunity to thrive, learn, and achieve their full potential.
Our mission: is to improve the quality of life for children with disabilities, vulnerable children, and their families/caregivers by providing access to education, healthcare, social services, and community support. We are committed to advocating for the rights of the disabled and vulnerable, ensuring they are given the opportunity to live dignified and meaningful lives within their communities.
Our Vision: We envision a society where children with disabilities and other vulnerable children are fully included and actively participate in all aspects of life, free from discrimination, and have access to the resources and support necessary to fulfill their potential.
Core Values:
Inclusive
Empowerment
Advocacy
Collaboration
Sustainability
WHAT WE DO
Transforming Communities, Giving Hope
Education and Training
The "Love Despite Disability" program, held annually in December, provides essential items like wheelchairs, diapers, food, and psychosocial support to vulnerable children, families, and caregivers in Kroobay and Susansbay, Freetown. The initiative benefits hundreds and garners local and international support.
Healthcare and Psychosocial Support
On Valentine’s Day, Lifeways promotes inclusivity by raising awareness and love for children with disabilities in community schools. This year, Orthodox Pre-Primary (Kroobay), St. Joseph’s Primary, and Kulafai Rashidun Primary (Susansbay) embraced the message of love and inclusiveness, with gifts distributed to the children.
Community Engagement and Advocacy
On Valentine’s Day, Lifeways promotes inclusivity by raising awareness and love for children with disabilities in community schools. This year, Orthodox Pre-Primary, St. Joseph’s Primary, and Kulafai Rashidun Primary embraced the message of love and inclusiveness, with gifts distributed to the children.
Social Protection and Livelihood Support
On the Day of the African Child, we honor children with special needs and marginalized communities, celebrating their resilience and talents. LIFEWAYS advocates for inclusivity, believing disability is not inability when equal opportunities are provided.
Sponsor a Project
1. Promoting Inclusive Early Childhood Education for Vulnerable and Children with Disabilities in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone faces significant challenges in providing equitable and inclusive access to quality early childhood education (ECE). Children with disabilities and vulnerable children from marginalized communities, such as those living in urban slums and rural areas, are disproportionately excluded from formal education. Barriers include stigma, lack of trained teachers, inaccessible learning environments, and limited availability of inclusive educational materials.
Early childhood education is a critical foundation for lifelong learning, social inclusion, and economic empowerment. For children with disabilities, early intervention and inclusion in ECE can significantly improve developmental outcomes and foster societal acceptance. However, Sierra Leone’s National Education Policy and related frameworks require enhanced implementation to address the needs of these vulnerable populations effectively.
This project seeks to address these challenges by promoting inclusive ECE in selected communities, ensuring that vulnerable children and children with disabilities have equitable access to quality education in safe, supportive, and inclusive environments.
The goal of this project is to improve access to inclusive and equitable early childhood education for vulnerable children and children with disabilities in Sierra Leone, fostering their development, social integration, and future opportunities.
2. The Need for Incorporating Sign Language Education among Healthcare Practitioners in the Western Area of Freetown
This project is geared towards providing persons with speech and hearing-impairment to access proper and equal health care services. The project is set to improve and bridged on the communication gaps which serve as a hindrance mainly between health care practitioners and their speech and hearing-impaired patients in accessing proper health care services in our most deprived and hard-to-reach communities in the western area of the republic of Sierra Leone. This project will serve as a step in mainstreaming speech and hearing-impaired disability in the health sector.
At the very end of the project, it is expected to absorb a substantial number of healthcare practitioners with the knowledge of sign language and make it easy for communication between them and the literate (in sign language) speech and hearing-impaired persons.
3. Community Engagement Program for Disabled and Families Affected by Kush and Other Substance Abuse in Kroobay and Susansbay Communities, Western Urban Freetown
The increasing prevalence of Kush and other substance abuse in the Kroobay and Susansbay communities has led to a surge in addiction-related health and social issues. These communities face a cycle of poverty, crime, and stigma, particularly affecting disabled persons and their families who already grapple with challenges related to exclusion and lack of access to resources.
The lack of tailored support services for these vulnerable groups further exacerbates their challenges, leaving them at a high risk of neglect and exploitation. Families are broken, children are left unprotected, and the disabled population is increasingly marginalized. Immediate and sustainable intervention is necessary to break the cycle of addiction, promote recovery, and restore dignity to the lives of those affected.
The aim to reduce the impact of Kush and other substance abuse on disabled persons and their families in Kroobay and Susansbay through active community engagement, rehabilitation, and support.
4. Empowering Families and Caregivers through Livelihood Skills Development and Economic Support
Empowering Families and Caregivers through Livelihood Skills Development and Economic Support Many families and caregivers in Kroobay and Susansbay, two of the most deprived and hard-to-reach communities in Freetown, face severe economic challenges. Poverty, unemployment, and a lack of skills hinder their ability to provide adequate care for their children, particularly those with disabilities and other vulnerabilities. Caregivers, often women, have little or no access to income-generating opportunities, leaving them dependent on sporadic aid or informal work.
This situation significantly affects the well-being of the families and their ability to care for special needs children, who require more attention and resources. Without a sustainable source of income, these caregivers often cannot afford essential services like healthcare, education, or rehabilitation for their children.
To address this challenge, Lifeways Sierra Leone proposes a Livelihood Program for Families and Caregivers, aimed at equipping them with the skills and resources needed to become financially independent. This program will provide targeted vocational training, financial literacy, and small business support to improve household income and create a more stable environment for both the caregivers and the children under their care.
The project aims to empower families and caregivers of vulnerable children, particularly those with disabilities, by providing them with the skills and resources to become financially independent, thereby improving their overall quality of life and the care they can provide for their children.
5. The Empowerment of Women and Girls with Disabilities as Primary Sufferers and Caregivers of Children with Disabilities in Sierra Leone
In Sierra Leone, women and girls with disabilities face multiple layers of discrimination and exclusion due to their gender, disability status, and socio-economic marginalization. Many of these women and girls are not only primary sufferers of stigma and inequity but also serve as caregivers to children with disabilities, creating a dual burden that limits their opportunities for education, economic empowerment, and active participation in society.
The challenges they face include limited access to healthcare, education, and vocational training; societal stigma; lack of legal protections; and economic vulnerability. Moreover, caregiving roles often go unrecognized and unsupported, further entrenching these women and girls in cycles of poverty and dependence.
This project aims to empower women and girls with disabilities by enhancing their socio-economic status, improving their caregiving capacity, and fostering their inclusion in decision-making processes. By doing so, the project contributes to addressing gender inequality, reducing poverty, and improving the well-being of children with disabilities.
6. Training for Primary School Teachers on the Detection and Management of Vulnerable and Special Needs Children in Early Childhood Education
The Kroobay and Susansbay communities in Western Urban Freetown are characterized by poverty, limited access to essential services, and high levels of vulnerability among children. Many children in these communities’ face challenges such as disabilities, trauma, and other special needs, which significantly hinder their educational development. Primary school teachers in these areas often lack the necessary training and tools to identify and manage vulnerable and special needs children, particularly in the early stages of their education.
To address this gap, this project aims to conduct a one-day training session for teachers from Orthodox, Kulafai, and St. Joseph Primary Schools. These schools serve the most deprived children in these hard-to-reach communities, making it crucial that teachers are equipped to detect and support children with special needs early on. By doing so, we can enhance the educational experience and development of vulnerable children, ensuring they receive the appropriate attention and resources needed to thrive.
The overall goal of this project is to improve the ability of primary school teachers to detect and manage vulnerable and special needs children during early childhood education in Kroobay and Susansbay communities.
Our Mission
Improving Lives for Children with Disabilities
Our Mission is to improve the quality of life for children with disabilities, vulnerable children, and their families/caregivers by providing access to education, healthcare, social services, and community support. We are committed to advocating for the rights of the disabled and vulnerable, ensuring they are given the opportunity to live dignified and meaningful lives within their communities.
Education
Access
Community
Support
Healthcare
Services
Advocacy
Rights
Testimonials
Voices on Lifeways Sierra Leone
“Lifeways Sierra Leone has been a beacon of hope for my family. My son, who has a disability, has been able to attend school thanks to the inclusive education programs they offer. The teacher training and caregiver support have transformed our lives. We no longer feel isolated, and my son's future now seems brighter. I am so grateful to Lifeways for their dedication to empowering children like mine."
Mariama Conteh
Mother of a child with a disability
“As a healthcare provider, I’ve witnessed firsthand the tremendous impact that Lifeways has had on the local community. Their healthcare support programs have not only improved access to medical care but also provided rehabilitation services that many of our children desperately needed. Their advocacy work has also helped reduce stigma and encouraged more inclusive practices in our society."
Dr. Solomon Koroma
Pediatrician at Freetown Medical Center
“Working with Lifeways Sierra Leone has been a rewarding experience. Their commitment to social protection programs, such as livelihood support and financial independence for families, is a game-changer. I’ve seen families in our community grow stronger and more self-reliant thanks to their programs. Lifeways truly makes a difference in empowering vulnerable families.”
