By Foday Moriba Conteh
In an effort to support children living with disabilities across various sectors such as health, education, livelihood, and social inclusion, One Family People (OFP) organization, with support from Liliane Fonds, has allocated over 3 billion Leones on Friday, March 10, 2023. The said funding will be divided among six partner organizations in the country. The allocation ceremony, which also involved the signing of POs contracts and agreements, took place at the One Family People’s Office on Congo Cross, in Freetown.
The six partner organizations benefiting from this fund include Dorothy Springer Trust, Kono Cheshire Services, Disability Awareness Action Group, Welfare Society for the Disabled, Polio Person’s Development Association and Sierra Leone Autistic Society.
Samuel POV Macaulay, the Program Manager of One Family People, explained that the allocations fulfil one of their core responsibilities as the strategic partner organization of Liliane Fonds in Sierra Leone. Among these responsibilities include signing and renewing contracts and agreements with partner organizations within their network. Additionally, the initiative aims to promote transparency and accountability by informing the public about their 2024 Child Empowerment Annual Plan and budget allocations to partner organizations.
He emphasized that this funding will enable partner organizations to support the development of children and youngsters with disabilities across various sectors, using an inclusive development strategy to make their environment more accessible.
The Program Manager highlighted the importance of partner organizations designing annual plans that align with the Community Based Inclusive Development Strategy and submitting them to One Family People for assessment. Samuel Macaulay also stressed the significance of compliance with OFP-PO Agreement, the eligibility criteria, communication guide, child protection policy and reporting requirements.
Furthermore, he called for stakeholders’ support in mounting a sustainable campaign against all forms of stigma and discrimination against children and youngsters with disabilities. He emphasized that creating a barrier-free society requires collective effort and encouraged everyone to contribute to this cause.
In his keynote address, the Director of One Family People expressed gratitude to partner organizations for their invaluable support in implementing the Child Empowerment Program across the country.
He emphasized that in line with the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, One Family People remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering an inclusive society where no one is marginalized. Stressing the importance of networking, he highlighted its pivotal role in achieving this goal.
“Did you know that one of our beneficiaries from the Child Empowerment Program, supported through the Dorothy Springer Trust, is now an adviser to the UN Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone? If she hadn’t received support through university, she might have been on the streets. Today, we take pride in her achievements, all thanks to our program,” he revealed.
Taking the opportunity, he expressed appreciation to the Sierra Leonean Government for enacting laws aimed at protecting persons with disabilities. However, he noted that the implementation of these laws still poses a challenge in the country due to resource constraints.
He urged partner organizations to collaborate closely with line Ministries and Agencies in their respective communities to address these challenges effectively.
Speaking on behalf of the partner organizations, Abdulai Dumbuya, CEO of Dorothy Springer Trust, expressed gratitude to One Family People and Liliane Funds for their continuous support in implementing programs aimed at the development of people living with disabilities across the country. He emphasized the pivotal role of this support in addressing disability-related issues in Sierra Leone.
Dumbuya explained that Dorothy Springer Trust is registered in both the UK and Sierra Leone to provide support to children with disabilities in the country, focusing on four key areas: ICT training for children with disabilities, employment creation, advocacy, and the implementation of the Child Empowerment Program.
Over the past four years of implementing the Child Empowerment Program, Dumbuya stated that they have successfully supported over 170 Children and Young Stars with Disabilities (CYWDs), highlighting the organization’s efforts to train parents in literacy and local financial fundraising to support their children after they exit the program.
Additionally, Dumbuya mentioned a unique impact of the program: supporting university-bound girls with disabilities. He explained that this initiative stemmed from their findings on the challenges faced by women with disabilities and their decision to support them in pursuing higher education. Out of the eight girls supported, four have already graduated, two hold high-powered jobs, and the remaining four are on track to graduate soon.
Representatives from all partner organizations also showcased their achievements for 2023 and outlined their plans for 2024 during the event.
The ceremony concluded with the official signing of the agreement between One Family People and the six partner organizations.
