Caritas Freetown Board Visits Kush Rehabilitation Centre, Reaffirms Commitment to Youth Recovery
The growing abuse of the deadly synthetic drug known as “kush” continues to destroy the lives of young people across Sierra Leone, particularly in Freetown and surrounding communities. The dangerous substance, commonly made from a mixture of tramadol, cannabis, and synthetic cannabinoids, has become a major public health crisis, leaving many young girls homeless and vulnerable to exploitation, violence, family rejection, and the loss of educational and economic opportunities. In response to the growing epidemic, Caritas Freetown established the Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Youth Affected by Drugs (REAR) Project to provide long-term rehabilitation, counselling, healing, and empowerment opportunities for young people struggling with addiction. As part of efforts to strengthen support for the initiative, the Board Chairman of Caritas Freetown, Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles, together with board members and management staff, paid an official visit to the REAR rehabilitation centre at Makomba Village, off Newton, on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. The purpose of the visit was to assess the progress of the project, interact with staff and beneficiaries, and reaffirm Caritas Freetown’s commitment to helping young people recover from substance abuse and successfully reintegrate into society.The rehabilitation centre provides psychological care, counselling, rehabilitation services, and vocational skills training for young people affected by kush addiction. During the visit, board members engaged directly with beneficiaries to better understand the impact of the programme and the challenges faced by recovering youth. Among those present during the visit were Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh, Thomas Sheku Kenah, and Peter Menjor, alongside other representatives and staff of Caritas Freetown. Between January and May 2026, sixteen young girls were enrolled in the residential rehabilitation programme at Makomba Village. Out of the sixteen beneficiaries, twelve are currently on track for successful reintegration into society through counselling, rehabilitation, and vocational skills training. One of the twelve beneficiaries, Esther Mustapha, shared her emotional story of addiction and recovery during the visit.Esther explained that after successfully passing both the National Primary School Examination (NPSE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), she was unable to continue her education because her father could not afford her school fees. During that difficult period, a friend introduced her to kush. She later moved from Bo to Freetown without family support, where her addiction worsened. To survive and sustain her dependency on the drug, she engaged in survival sex work and often slept in gutters and shop verandas, facing severe hardship and exploitation. “The project has given me the courage to reintegrate into society and pursue a productive future. It has helped me become a person in society again,” Esther said. Her journey toward recovery began when she was identified by a Caritas project staff member in Funkia and referred to the rehabilitation programme. Through counselling, psychological support, and vocational training, she successfully stopped using kush. She is currently receiving tailoring training at the centre and rebuilding her life with renewed hope and confidence. Her story demonstrates the importance of early intervention, community referrals, professional rehabilitation services, and vocational empowerment in helping young people recover from addiction and rebuild their lives. Speaking to staff and beneficiaries during the visit, Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles expressed appreciation to the project team for their dedication and commitment to restoring hope among vulnerable young people. He also commended the beneficiaries for choosing the path of recovery and transformation despite the many challenges they have faced. The Archbishop described the initiative as an important effort in restoring dignity, healing, and hope to young people affected by drug addiction. He emphasized that the project reflects Caritas Freetown’s mission of supporting vulnerable individuals to rebuild their lives and become productive members of society. Delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of the staff and beneficiaries, Murray Massaquoi, the project Manager of the REAR project, thanked the board members and guests for their continued support. He noted that the visit strengthened the confidence and motivation of both staff and recovering youth at the rehabilitation centre. The visit highlighted Caritas Freetown’s continued leadership in addressing substance abuse and strengthening rehabilitation programmes for vulnerable young people across Sierra Leone. Through compassion, professional care, counselling, and empowerment opportunities, the REAR Project continues to restore hope, dignity, and a second chance to young people affected by drug addiction.
Casa Leone Hospitality Project Holds First Graduation Ceremony in Bureh Town
The Casa Leone Hospitality Project, sponsored by Fundación MAGA and implemented by Caritas Freetown, on Wednesday, 20th May 2026, held its first graduation ceremony at the Casa Leone Hospitality Training Center in Bureh Town. The event commenced with a procession by the graduates, followed by prayers offered in thanksgiving for the successful occasion. Delivering the welcome address, Eliza Sillah, Programs Manager of Caritas Freetown thanked attendees for their presence and expressed appreciation to Fundación MAGA for supporting the hospitality project and making the first graduation ceremony possible. Giving an overview of the training centre, Project Coordinator Andreas Schnier said he was pleased to witness people from different parts of the country attending the ceremony. He noted that the journey had not been easy but emphasized that the project remained a success despite some challenges encountered along the way. He further disclosed that, with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and other partners, internship opportunities had been secured for graduates at various hospitality establishments across the country. He concluded by stating that the overall implementation of the project had been successful. Speaking at the event, Idrissa Thonkla Bangura from the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs commended the Casa Leone Hospitality Project for the initiative. He stated that tourism plays a vital role in accelerating economic growth, as reflected in the Government’s Midterm Development Plan. According to him, sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and fisheries possess significant potential to improve Sierra Leone’s economy, referencing countries that have achieved remarkable economic progress through tourism development. He encouraged the graduates to uphold good customer service, describing it as the backbone of the tourism industry. Representing the Board of Caritas Freetown and serving as the focal person for the Casa Leone Hospitality Project, Dr. Robert Moigowa welcomed guests and thanked them for attending the occasion. He described the work of Caritas Freetown as an important complement to government efforts in supporting vulnerable communities. He stated that the ceremony was not only intended to celebrate the achievements of Casa Leone, but also to send a strong message to the community that the project is sustainable and committed to long-term impact. He thanked the partners and coordinators for their dedication in making the centre successful and congratulated the graduates, encouraging them to work hard so their achievements would inspire others. In his keynote address, Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh stated that the graduation ceremony represented more than academic achievement, describing it as a symbol of transformation and hope. He observed that Sierra Leone continues to face serious social and economic challenges, particularly youth unemployment, which often exposes young people to social vices such as drug addiction, robbery, and prostitution. He explained that the Casa Leone Hospitality Project was established to equip young people with life skills capable of opening doors to employment and self-reliance. He added that the graduates would leave the institution with knowledge, confidence, and renewed purpose. Rev. Fr. Konteh encouraged them to remain disciplined, hardworking, and committed in their future endeavors. He also expressed appreciation to Fundación MAGA, government partners, the project management team, the Board and staff of Caritas Freetown, and all those who contributed to making the hospitality training centre fully operational. The graduates expressed excitement and gratitude for the opportunity provided to them and pledged to work diligently in order to excel within the tourism industry and inspire others to pursue careers in the sector. One of the graduates, Lansana Conteh, expressed appreciation for the opportunity, noting that he never imagined he would benefit from such training. He promised to work hard and make productive use of the skills acquired. In conclusion, the first graduation ceremony of the Casa Leone Hospitality Project marked a significant milestone in empowering young people through vocational and hospitality training in Sierra Leone. The initiative continues to demonstrate the importance of partnerships in promoting skills development, employment opportunities, and sustainable community growth, while contributing to the advancement of the country’s tourism sector.