The leadership of Maloma was male dominated. Decision-making power was solely in men’s hands. This culture was noticed by women in the community. As a result of this, women were not respected.

Hawa Saffa is a 45-year-old business woman and a Nurturing Opportunity for Women (NOW) participant. She is also a widow with five children who lives in Ngolahun with her family. Before the NOW program in Ngolahun, Hawa lacked knowledge in savings and budgeting and household financial management.

The leadership system in the community of Majoe displayed an unfair governance and social discriminations against women. Baindu Samu, a 30-year-old community member is one of those that went through this repressive and non-transparent leadership system. This is her story.

Mattu Vandi is a 32-year-old volunteer teacher married with three children. At a young age of 16, economic hardship forced her to drop out of school. Despite this situation, she was determined to bring about change in her and her family’s life.

As is typical in Sierra Leone, Grima’s leadership was restricted to men from traditional ruling families; women held just two leadership positions in 2015 when the community started working with OneVillage Partners.

Three communities that have been working with OneVillage Partners since 2015, and have completed the Community Action and Nurturing Opportunities for Women programs, were evaluated through the lens of OneVillage Partners’ Theory of Change components: Inclusive Leadership, Gender Equity, Social Cohesion, Resiliency, and Wellbeing.

Mamboma is a village located in the Peje Bongre Chiefdom of Eastern Sierra Leone’s Kailahun district. It was known for its corruption, embezzlement and unfair treatment of community members by their leaders. After the civil war, the community held elections, but were disappointed with the results; leaders continued to be self-serving.

Watta Moriba is a 46-year-old single mother of five who lives in Gbeka. Like many mothers, Watta wanted to educate her children and save for the future.

Lucy Baion, a 30-year-old farmer and single parent of three, lives in the small farming village of Grima in Kailahun district, Eastern Sierra Leone. Read her story of building financial security.

Follow Hawa’s story as her community of Gbeka gains self-reliance from outside support.

Meet Mustapha Moma and hear his family’s story of resiliency and unity

Meet Henry Gbevo. He led 150 members of his community to become income stable.

Meet Jenneh Musa. Along with her fellow NOW participants, changed their image and contributed to community development at the same rate as their male counterparts.

Meet Mohamed Amara. Along with his community of Madina, invested in the youth of the community.

Meet Pa Foday. He started as a skilled worker, and motivated his community to make him a Town Chief.

Meet Matu Mohamed. Through the NOW program, she and her family have become financially self-reliant.