On the morning of 18 February 2026, the compound of Family Homes Movement (FHM), a Sierra Leone-based NGO that cares for and protects children living on the streets, came alive as community members, partners, and different stakeholders gathered from across Freetown for the official launch of a new child protection project.
The initiative, led by AVSI Sierra Leone, aims to strengthen the protection and support of vulnerable children in the capital.
Holding the event on this terrace, explained Paul T. Larkoh, a key figure at FHM, was especially symbolic. It was here, more than 28 years ago, that AVSI and FHM began developing projects aimed at providing safe homes for vulnerable children in Sierra Leone. That early contribution laid the foundation for a partnership that has continued to grow over nearly three decades, united by a shared commitment to protecting and supporting the country’s most vulnerable children. In many ways, the launch of this new initiative represents both a continuation and expansion of that long-standing collaboration.
Titled “Leh Wi grow”, meaning “Let us Grow”, the project is, as one of the organizers explained, “an invitation to grow our children together.” The project seeks to unite all those involved in the child development, equipping them with the appropriate tools and knowledge to better support and care for children within their communities.
The full title – “Leh Wi Grow … Early care, Early Learn, Stronger Roots” - further reflects the project’s objective: to ensure that children receive the support they need to develop essential skills, values, and attitudes that will enable them to become responsible and valuable adults in their communities.
Abdulai Koroma, representing the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, continued the speech, highlighting how closely the initiative aligns with the Ministry’s strategic plan. The project contributes to ensuring that families are equipped with the right tools to foster their children’s growth and potential. For this reason, the Ministry considers itself one of the main beneficiaries, as the project’s outcomes directly support its institutional objectives From the outset, government involvement is therefore fundamental, ensuring sustainability and smooth transition once the project concludes.
Sierra Leone continues to face profound socio-economic challenges, with nearly 60% of the population living in poverty. Soaring inflation—reaching 54% —has made food, fuel, transportation and other essential goods increasingly unaffordable, pushing families deeper into hardship and affecting almost 70% of children nationwide.
Although the Free Quality School Education Programme, launched in 2018, led to a steady rise in enrolment, structural challenges persist.
Many teachers remain unqualified, school infrastructures often lack adequate sanitation facilities, and school feeding programmes do not reach all children in need. At the same time, children face widespread protection risks, including violence, abuse, exploitation and hazardous labour.
Poverty, low levels of education and entrenched cultural norms contribute to the continued use of corporal punishment as a primary method of discipline, particularly affecting menkpikin* children (*all those children who, following the loss of their biological parents, live with foster guardians who have decided to take care of them.).
In this context, strengthening early childhood care, education and child protection systems is not only urgent but essential to breaking cycles of poverty and vulnerability.
Thanks to the financial support of the Commissione Episcopale Italiana (CEI), AVSI and FHM will implement “Leh Wi grow … Early care, Early Learn, Stronger Roots” over the next two and a half years.
The project aims to the improve the well-being of vulnerable children who do not live with their biological families and prevent the abandonment of children living with their biological families. This will be achieved by strengthening the capacity of all those who influence children’s development. On one hand, the initiative will reinforce the formal foster family network and enhance the case management capacities of Ministry officers. On the other, it will work directly with teachers, menpikin (informal foster children), and biological families with children under eight years old, focusing on Early Childhood Development and Education.
All the activities will revolve around five schools in Western Area Rural and Western Area Urban districts, in urbanized communities surrounding the capital. These are: St. Peter the Rock, in Wellington, St. Theresa, in Allen Town, Holy Family School, in Calba Town, St Michaer, in Kissy Town, and St. Edward in Freetown. From these five realities, 300 families will be selected, together with 25 preschool teachers, 40 primary teachers and 6 head teachers. Moreover, 10 ministry of social welfare officers, and 2 senior social workers and 17 formal foster families will be involved. The objective is to impact at least 317 fostered children, 600 children attending primary school across the region, and over 2000 community members.
Before concluding the event, participants shared their hopes and aspirations for the future, culminating with the following statement: “The Launch of this project symbolizes the relounch of hope in a context where economic crisis and political instability are creating increasing obstacles to the well-being of the local population”.
Finally, with the declaration by AVSI Country Representative Gianni Bagaglia, “Leh Wi Grow” was officially launched.