2022 Annual Report
Our partners led their own transformation and impact
We focus our work in these four areas: inclusive leadership, resiliency, social cohesion, and gender equity. Click to see what our collective impact looked like in 2022.
Dear partners,
Our community partners constantly inspire us with their tenacity and creativity, despite the many challenges they face, and 2022 was no different. Remarkably, last year we reached an astounding 38,943 people across 33 communities in rural Sierra Leone! Our partners completed 11 community projects, began four new projects, and 323 women graduated from our women’s economic empowerment and business skills program. And, we grew our network by welcoming four new communities as partners.
Last year, our Board adopted a new strategic plan, which includes our biggest goal yet: expanding our reach to all 15 rural districts throughout Sierra Leone. Through our community-led model and partnerships, we are determined to achieve this goal. In the coming years, we will double down on our focus of investing in people, so that they can reach their full potential.
For our partners, the lessons learned in 2022 were life changing. Our partners led transformation in the four impact areas that drive our work: inclusive leadership, social cohesion, gender equity, and resiliency. We invite you to read Baindu Amara’s story, which is just one of many stories about how OneVillage Partners programming and your generous support are transforming lives in Sierra Leone.
Your support in 2022 made our accomplishments and those of our partners possible. Thank you for your continued partnership and trust in amplifying the power of people and communities in rural Sierra Leone.
In partnership,
— Pete Janzen, Board Chair
— Jill LaLonde, Executive Director
Inclusive Leadership
Inclusive leadership is a key piece to sustainable, community-led development that will improve wellbeing. Empowering leaders within communities creates accountability, representation, and transparency that leads to shared decision-making at the community level.
Fofie B. Kallon, volunteer-leader from Forlu, shares his excitement about partnering with OneVillage Partners with his community
84%
of community members believe that decision-making is shared among leaders and the community
221%
increase in community members holding a leadership position
95%
of community members in attendance at community meetings
Resiliency
Safety nets that support individuals during times of illness, loss of income, or property damage are not a guarantee for many in Sierra Leone. That’s why our programs help communities be better positioned to respond to future crises. Health centers, clean water, food security, and tools to help women save and make money prepare individuals to be ready when emergencies happen.
Women from Kodibu celebrate their graduation from the NOW program
100%
of NOW program participants achieved their first financial goal
99%
of projects are sustained 3 years after project completion
80%
of households were able to respond to an economic shock
"Communities can only overcome challenges if they work [in] unity."
— Ansumana Massaquoi, Kambama community member
Social Cohesion
Through collaboration and networking with one another, communities strengthen their ability to work together to create grassroots action for change. Our programs work together to encourage community members to collaborate, network, and partner with one another to achieve their shared goals.
Hawa Kallon, volunteer-leader from Nyeama, speaking to her community
90%
of community development projects met their project goal(s)
98%
of NOW participants shared the NOW curriculum with other women
80%
of program participants believe their community works together to solve their challenges and meet their needs
Gender Equity
Encouraging women to use their voice and work towards gender equity is essential for families, communities, and countries to create opportunities for everyone. Creating increased access to economic opportunities for women creates a ripple effect that extends to their children, the larger community, and beyond. Our programs start the chain reaction of greater impact by empowering those women.
“Our abilities… are strong as a group.”
— Fatmata Dugba, NOW participant from Mamboma
154%
increase in women with improved confidence after the NOW program
148%
increase in men doing at least one traditional female task
124%
increase in women speaking in public
98%
of women are involved in household decision making and finances
“OneVillage Partners training enhanced my ability to improve agricultural productivity”
Story told by Baindu Amara, volunteer-leader from Magbema
Transcribed and translated by Philemon Vandi McSenesie and Vivian Moigua, OneVillage Partners staff
Baindu Amara, a 40-old farmer lives in Magbema, a community situated in Eastern Sierra Leone with more than 900 inhabitants. Agriculture, especially upland and swampland rice farming, is the main economic activity of the people of Magbema. This is Baindu's story.
