By Leanne Greenfield | Development Intern
We are delighted to report the recent progress of the women in our Go-Bifo group. Go-Bifo, meaning “Moving Forward” in Krio, is a group of ex-detainees who we work with to help rebuild their lives post-prison.
In December, AdvocAid launched “Kolonko,” a documentary about the lives of sex workers in Sierra Leone and the abuse they face at the hands of clients and the police. Following the press conference, we held a public screening at a cinema in Freetown to great success. At the event, we arranged a stall to exhibit the hard work of our beneficiaries and sell the jewellery made by our Go-Bifo women; the necklaces and earrings had disappeared by the end of the evening! It was fantastic to see the work of our beneficiaries admired and appreciated, and has been so rewarding seeing the positive effects that this has had on the women and their lives. One member told us that, with the proceeds from the sale, she was able to buy new clothing for her 7-month-old son.
Through the money raised from the jewellery sales at the film screening, the Go-Bifo women were able to spend time with, and provide for, their families over the festive period, something which they may not have been able to do otherwise. When we returned to the office in January, we were thrilled to see the women had also used the money they made to purchase more beads and materials with which to make new jewellery and beaded tote bags. AdvocAid is exceptionally proud to see these women developing their talents and reaping the benefits of such dedicated work; by focusing on building a better future for themselves and their families, our Go-Bifo women are reducing the possibility of running into conflict with the law again and are developing sustainable livelihoods to feed and care for themselves and their families.
It is the through the support we receive from our donors that we are able to maintain and develop the Go-Bifo group and provide them with more materials and opportunities to make their jewellery and tote bags. Last year, the donations we generously received on GlobalGiving enabled us to expand the Go-Bifo group by 20 women, almost doubling numbers! Often, women face extreme challenges following detention in prison, with many ostracised from their communities, out of employment, and unable to support themselves. AdvocAid would like to thank you, our donors, for enabling these women to rebuild their lives after prison. We encourage you to circulate this report with your contacts so that they too can help women in Sierra Leone prosper following their release from prison.
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