Rebuilding in Sierra Leone, following the civil war of the 1990’s, has restored much of the country infrastructure. Reconstruction of housing, village roads and water and sanitation systems, however, continues to be a major priority.
Christian Reformed World Missions is working with worshipping groups established during the 25 years of CRC presence in Sierra Leone. CRWRC collaborates with these efforts by working in partnership with Christian Extension Services and the Christian Health Associaion of Sierrra Leone.
For a description of current programs, see below.
Fast Facts
Population: 6,440,053 (July 2009 est.)
Area Comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina
Literacy rate: 35.1%
Life expectancy: 41.24 years
Population below poverty line: 70.2% (2004)
Gross Domestic Product per capita: $700 (2008 est.)
Religions: Muslim 60%, Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs 30%
Languages: English (official), Mende, Temne, Krio
(From the World Factbook. Click here for more information on Sierra Leone)
Partners
Christian Health Association of Sierra Leone (CHASL)
Work with CHASL is in the area of community based primary health care. Mothers in rural and urban communities learn to take simple measures to ensure the healthy growth of their children. Traditional birth attendants trained and supplied by CHASL provide pre-natal supervision, referring mothers with potential birth hazards to local health institutions. Working with village development committees, CHASL aims to improve health and hygiene through village self-directed and self-funded improvement of water points, latrines and waste disposal. Marion Morgan (national) is the director of the Christian Health Association of Sierra Leone (CHASL), working with a local staff of 10.
Christian Extension Services (CES)
Christian Extension Services is a national NGO, originally established by CRWRC and CRWM in the early 1980’s. CES’s programme in Kabala this year has reached 70 women and girls with training to establish small businesses in tie-dyeing, tailoring, soap making, and hairdressing. Working with village development committees in 22 villages, CES encourages community transformation through leadership development, food security, and micro-enterprise development. Ten of these village development committees carried out planned activities to strengthen village infrastructure such as road repairs, wells and seed banks. Robert Jawara (national) is the director of Christian Extension Services (CES), working with a local staff of 22.
Wyva Hasselblad
(CRWRC staff in Senegal) provides consultation in planning, reporting, board development, and program management.
Email: sencrwrc@orange.sn
Mary Crickmore
(WAMT team leader) assists with budgeting, reports, financing and relationships with other CRCNA agencies.
EMAIL: MaryCrickmore@compuserve.com