By Bonnie Williams | Kidsave staff member
When the Love One Another orphanage in southern Sierra Leone closed in March of 2022, 170 children suddenly needed new homes and had just four weeks to find them. Previous GlobalGiving reports shared the good news that nearly all 170 found new families. But eight of the older children did not find families. Until now.
Thanks to the creativity, personality, and perseverance of Kidsave program manager Ibrahim, a collaborative two-part plan evolved that proved very successful.
Part one was a radio conversation with Ibrahim and an officer of Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Gender and Children Affairs. The people of Kenema district who tuned in that day learned about the importance of children growing up with a family and in a community instead of an orphanage. Ibrahim mentioned the eight children who still needed families, displaced by the closing of an orphanage, and that these kids had been living in a hotel for seven months because they had nowhere else to go. Ibrahim told listeners they could come to an event, meet the kids, and learn more about the organization that is helping children find permanent families.
The radio show was immediately followed with two days of public events. Hundreds of key stakeholders and community people came to the Kenema district and Lubebu halls, where children were introduced, and their stories shared. Ibrahim described Kidsave’s reunification model that gives kids a chance to get to know those who might become their permanent family and gives them a voice and a choice.
The Ministry representative appealed to those present to share their love and concern for the eight kids and asked them to find a place in their homes and hearts to host the kids. He promised that the children would be monitored until a loving and permanent home is found.
As the event ended, four people decided to host six of the kids in Kenema township; and two other families in nearby Gofor decided to host the remaining two.
After the event FID and the Ministry representative visited the new families’ homes to meet with them and be sure children will be safe and well cared for. They found all the homes to be safe and gave the kids a few days with the families to be sure they are compatible and happy. All is going well at this writing, and soon a reunification ceremony will take place. The entire community is invited to join in, witness and help the children feel welcome and a part of things and begin a better chapter in their young lives.
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