The StratREAL Foundation will provide financial assistance to enable the Red Cross to further fund its Child Advocacy and Rehabilitation programme in Sierra Leone.

Helping children overcome brutality

MixingThe programme focuses on developing reading, writing and health awareness, as well as professional skills like tailoring and shoe making to enable the children to support themselves and their families in the future. Specialised psychological assistance and intensive counselling helps the children talk about and come to terms with the brutalities they have experienced. The Red Cross also undertakes a unique level of liaison with the children’s families and communities, mediating to help re-integrate the children.

For the children that have graduated so far, the programme has been essential in enabling them to overcome their harrowing past and feel positive about the future. Throughout the programme, the children will be encouraged to identify their own particular needs, and the activities will then be tailored to meet these. The involvement of community leaders and family members is also essential to the programme’s success.

The Sierra Leone Red Cross runs Child Advocacy and Rehabilitation centres helping children reintegrate into society in five districts of Sierra Leone: Waterloo, Kambia, Port Loko, Kabala and Kailahun. These centres provide children aged 10 to 18 years with education and skills training, trauma healing and community awareness-raising activities.

Funding from The StratREAL Foundation will support the centres in Waterloo, Port Loko and Kailahun.

Looking ahead to a more positive future

Happy kidsFor the children that have graduated so far, the programme has been essential in enabling them to overcome their harrowing past and feel positive about the future. Throughout the programme, the children will be encouraged to identify their own particular needs, and the activities will then be tailored to meet these. The involvement of community leaders and family members is also essential to the programme’s success.

The funding from The StratREAL Foundation will enable the British Red Cross to provide funding for 56 children and young people to enrol on the programme. Vulnerable children will be given the skills to make a contribution to society and thereby help restore their dignity and provide them with hope for the future. These skills will be transferred from generation to generation and the involvement of The StratREAL Foundation will continue to make a difference year after year.

Find out more about The British Red Cross