By Development Team | Kidsave Staff
On June 11, 2025, in the village of Luawa, a quiet but powerful moment unfolded: 25 children were reunited with their biological and extended families after years of separation.
Thanks to the partnership between Kidsave and Integrated Development Initiatives (IDI), with support from Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, these young lives are beginning a new chapter—one centered on family, love, and a sense of belonging.
These 25 reunifications—8 boys and 17 girls—are more than numbers. They represent healing after loss. Many of these children lost their parents during the Ebola crisis or other hardships and had been living in orphanages ever since. But with family tracing, home assessments, and a thoughtful transition plan led by IDI’s dedicated social workers, they’re finally returning to their roots.
“Children need to grow up in communities, surrounded by culture, traditions, and family,” said Ibrahim Kawa, IDI’s Executive Director and Manager of the Kidsave Program in Sierra Leone. “Orphanages can provide shelter, but not the emotional foundation that comes from family life.”
The reunification event was filled with emotion as caregivers, local leaders, and relatives gathered to welcome the children home. Each family received essential items including mattresses, food, school supplies, and hygiene kits—ensuring that the transition would be safe and supported.
Voices From the Day
One of the most powerful moments came from Jestina Mimoh, who was just six years old when Ebola took her mother’s life. Now a teenager, Jestina met her half-brother for the first time in over a decade.
“For years, I didn’t even know I had a brother. But now I have someone to call family again,” she shared with tears of joy. “Life in the orphanage was hard. Today, I feel like I can finally start living with hope.”
Government leaders from the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs and the Bonthe District Council praised the reunification effort. They noted the challenges of overcrowded orphanages and the risks children face when not in family care—especially girls exposed to hawking or domestic labor.
“This is what we’ve dreamed of doing for years,” said Mohamed Turay from the Ministry. “But it’s Kidsave and IDI that brought it to life.”
What’s Next
Reunification is just the beginning. Ongoing monitoring by IDI’s social workers will help ensure that each child is safe, healthy, and attending school. The journey ahead will require continued support, but thanks to this powerful collaboration, these kids are no longer alone.
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