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

Since 2001, the British Red Cross has worked in partnership with the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society to develop a programme for children that helps to rebuild communities and heal the trauma of conflict.

A key aim of the programme is to develop reading and writing skills that are often absent in children who have lost a part of their youth to conflict. Professional skills like tailoring and shoe making are also taught to enable children to support themselves and their families in the future. Specialised psychological assistance and intensive counselling help children to talk about and come to terms with their often brutal experiences of war. The Red Cross also reaches out to the children’s families and communities, mediating and advising to help re-integrate children who have been ostracised by conflict.

The British Red Cross Society aims to promote healing and supportive child-friendly communities and to counter the stigma and suspicion that many war-affected children face when hostilities cease. The Sierra Leone Red Cross has taken an innovative approach to reintegration through activities ranging from drama groups, home visits, sports and music, all aimed at rebuilding trust between children, their carers and the wider community. Trauma in children and young people between the ages of 10 and 18 is dealt with through healing sessions, games and sporting activities, cultural competitions, talent showcases and drama.

The programme also promotes health awareness and self-reliance through education and skills training. Since its inception, around 600 children have been trained in skills including carpentry, agriculture, tailoring, brick laying, baking and catering, cane craft, weaving, hairdressing, gara tie-dying and soap making.

In 2007, some 750 children and young people benefited from the programme at four centres around the country, in Kambia, Kabala, Port Loko and Kailahun. As a result of the efforts of the British Red Cross, and with financial assistance from the StratREAL Foundation, 29 of these children were able to progress into mainstream education, 238 were placed into apprenticeships, 128 were engaged in group work and another 90 went on to work individually with their new vocational skills.