By Foday Moriba Conteh
As part of their efforts towards safeguarding children with disabilities and promoting inclusive child protection for them across the country, One Family People (OFP), with funding from Nadia Onlu through the Il Giardino di Ngali 2-NGA 2 (2023-2025) project, on Friday, March 28, 2025, successfully concluded a one-day education and awareness program on the protection of children with disabilities from sexual offenses and child labor in Sierra Leone.
The event, held at the Milton Margai School for the Blind, specifically targeted visually impaired pupils and aimed to equip them with knowledge and awareness of their rights and protection. Sessions were facilitated by representatives from One Family People, the Sierra Leone Special Court, and the Rainbow Initiative.
Addressing the gathering, Ibrahim Sorie Koroma, Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor at One Family People (OFP), emphasized the importance of raising awareness on the protection of children with disabilities from sexual offenses and child labor as part of the implementation of the Giardino di Ngali 2-NGA 2 (2023-2025) project in Sierra Leone. He stated that the organization saw it necessary to organize this education and awareness program, specifically targeting pupils of the Milton Margai School for the Blind, to equip them with knowledge on their rights and protection.
He highlighted that the awareness session focused on key issues such as sexual offenses, child labor, human trafficking and violence, drawing particular attention to the devastating effects of Sierra Leone’s civil war and its lingering impact on vulnerable communities. Ibrahim Sorie Koroma stressed that cases of sexual offenses and violence have been on the rise, not only among children with disabilities but across society, underscoring the urgent need for action to address those challenges.
Ibrahim Sorie Koroma further revealed that One Family People has already conducted similar awareness campaigns in 25 secondary schools across Western Urban and Rural districts, with plans to extend the initiative to other districts nationwide.
He also called on parents, teachers, policymakers and community leaders to take an active role in protecting children with disabilities by fostering inclusive and safe environments for them. He emphasized that tackling sexual offenses, child labor and violence requires a collective effort, including stronger enforcement of child protection laws, increased community awareness and improved support systems for survivors.
The Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor at One Family People (OFP) further encouraged continued partnerships with Government institutions, civil society organizations and international partners to sustain and expand the impact of such initiatives across Sierra Leone.
Ibrahim Sorie Koroma concluded by reaffirming the organization’s commitment to ensuring the safety and empowerment of children with disabilities, urging stakeholders to join efforts in combating those pressing issues.
Abubakar Koroma, Education and Outreach Officer of the Sierra Leone Special Court, focused his session on the devastating consequences of violence, using Sierra Leone’s 11-year civil war as a sobering example.
To help the pupils understand the long-term impact of conflict and cruelty, he played an audio recording of real-life testimonies from war victims. The harrowing stories included experiences of children being forced to watch their family members murdered, others coerced into committing incest, and many being conscripted as child soldiers.
He highlighted that countless victims now live with physical disabilities, bearing permanent reminders of the horrors they endured.
Addressing the pupils with heartfelt sincerity, Koroma urged them to recognize violence in all its forms physical, verbal, emotional, and psychological and to understand that such behavior should never be normalized, even among children. “Violence in any form is never acceptable,” he stated. “As children, you must learn to resolve conflicts peacefully and treat each other with dignity and love.”
He further emphasized the role of education as a powerful tool for liberation and protection, especially for children with disabilities.
Encouraging the pupils to embrace their worth and potential, he advised them to speak out against abuse, report any incidents to trusted adults or authorities, and never allow their impairments to make them feel less than others. “You are not alone, and your voice matters,” he added.
He said that the awareness session was a vital component of One Family People’s broader mission to promote inclusion, protection, and empowerment for children with disabilities in Sierra Leone of which he concluded by commending One Family People for the initiative.
Isha Success Sankoh, Outreach Intern at Rainbow Initiative, commended One Family People for organizing the awareness-raising session, particularly on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), which she facilitated. She emphasized that her organization has been actively addressing such issues across the country.
She highlighted that Rainbow Initiative has recorded numerous cases of sexual and gender-based violence over the years, many of which affect children also adding that such awareness sessions are crucial in tackling such issues at both the community and national levels.
During the session, Isha Success Sankoh informed the children about the services provided by Rainbow Initiative, including the distribution of dignity kits for rape survivors, counseling, medical assistance and other support available at their one-stop centers. She also encouraged the children to report cases of SGBV to Rainbow Initiative by calling their helpline 599.
Mr. Jalloh, a teacher at the Milton Margai School for the Blind, emphasized the importance of protecting children with disabilities from sexual offenses and child labor, noting that children with disabilities are among the most vulnerable in society and often face exploitation and abuse. He commended the organizers for prioritizing the welfare of these children and ensuring that they are informed about their rights.
He further stated that many cases of sexual abuse and child labor involving children with disabilities go unreported, either due to a lack of awareness, fear or societal neglect, stressing that raising awareness within communities and schools is essential in addressing these challenges and ensuring that children with disabilities are protected from harm. He called on parents, caregivers and stakeholders to be more vigilant and proactive in safeguarding these children.
Mr. Jalloh encouraged the pupils to speak up and report any form of abuse they might experience or witness. He also urged authorities to strengthen laws and enforcement mechanisms to protect children with disabilities from exploitation. The teacher concluded by calling for continued advocacy and educational initiatives to empower children with disabilities, ensuring that they can grow and thrive in a safe and inclusive environment.
The event concluded with an interactive segment where pupils asked questions and reflected on what they had learned. Many expressed a renewed sense of awareness and hope, acknowledging the importance of standing up against violence in their communities and among their peers.
