Caritas Freetown Strengthens Partnership with Ministry of Youth Affairs to Advance Youth Empowerment
“Young people of our time, like those of every age, are a volcano of life, energy, sentiments, and ideas. This can be seen from the wonderful things they are able to do, in so many fields.” – Pope Leo XIV Caritas Freetown continues to reaffirm its commitment to empowering young people as key drivers of positive change in their communities and across Sierra Leone.As part of this mission, Caritas Freetown held a strategic engagement meeting with the Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon. Ibrahim Sannoh, aimed at strengthening collaboration for youth development and community support initiatives. The meeting focused on fostering stronger institutional partnerships, aligning shared priorities, and appealing for sustained support for community-based programmes that build youth resilience and opportunity. During the engagement, the Minister commended Caritas Freetown for its consistent dedication to youth-focused interventions and its impactful presence at the community level. Discussions also highlighted the growing concern regarding drug addiction among young people, emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated prevention, rehabilitation, and awareness strategies. Both Caritas Freetown and the Ministry reaffirmed their shared commitment to creating sustainable pathways for young people through skills development, mentorship, and active community engagement. This engagement marks an important step in deepening collaboration between government and civil society in addressing the challenges facing young people today. Caritas Freetown believes that investing in young people is an investment in the future of our nation. Through strong partnerships and a shared vision, we can nurture hope, restore dignity, and build resilient communities for generations to come.
Caritas Freetown and Partners Train Youth Facilitators Under Youth Readiness Intervention Project
Caritas Freetown, in partnership with Boston College, Grand Challenges Canada, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, and the Ministry of Social Welfare, has successfully concluded a 10-day training workshop under the Youth Readiness Intervention Research Initiative (YRI) Project. The workshop, which ran from 28th April to 9th May 2026 at the St. Edward’s Parish Hall, aimed to strengthen the capacity of young people through targeted life skills training and psychological support. The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to promote youth empowerment, resilience, and substance use prevention in Sierra Leone. YRI is a structured, evidence-based programme designed to build resilience, life skills, and psychological well-being among vulnerable youth. The programme equips participants with coping strategies, decision-making skills, and protective behaviours to reduce risk factors associated with substance use, violence, and mental health challenges. The training programme was delivered through two core modules. The first, the YRI Module, focused on strengthening life skills, resilience, and positive coping mechanisms among vulnerable youth. The second, the Socio-Education Module, provided facilitators with talking therapy skills to support young people exhibiting early signs and symptoms of mental health disorders. A total of 30 facilitators were trained to deliver the Youth Readiness Intervention across four districts: Bo, Kenema, Port Loko, and the Western Area Urban Districts. The district representation ensures broad geographical coverage and supports community-level implementation in both urban and rural communities. The project will be implemented over a period of 18 months. The implementation schedule is divided into five distinct phases, with each phase spanning three months. During every phase, a new batch of facilitators will be recruited and trained to ensure progressive scale-up and sustained community outreach. The YRI programme primarily targets young people who have not yet initiated substance use. However, the broader project also seeks to strengthen community capacity by training facilitators to support youth at risk of relapse and reinforce protective skills at the community level. The opening session of the Youth Readiness Intervention Research Initiative Project brought together stakeholders from several government ministries and partner institutions. Key participants included Sister Musu Fanta Amara, Directorate of Primary Health Care and Community Health Worker Hub; Ismaila Kebbie, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Health for Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health; James B. Sandi, Director of Programmes at the Ministry of Youth Affairs; Gbangany Kanu from the Ministry of Social Welfare and Deputy Director for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS); Mrs. Eliza Sillah, Acting Programs Manager of Caritas Freetown; and Rev. Fr. Bangura, Deputy Executive Director of Caritas Freetown. Project coordinators disclosed that the intervention will include baseline data collection before implementation, followed by post-intervention and follow-up data collection phases to assess long-term outcomes and measure the effectiveness of the programme. At the close of the workshop, certificates were presented to the YRI facilitators in recognition of their participation and contribution to the 10-day training programme.
St. Anthony’s Clinic for the Poor Hosts 3rd Annual Baby Show to Promote Maternal and Child Health
St. Anthony’s Clinic for the Poor, under the Archdiocese of Freetown, on Monday, 19th May 2026, organized the 3rd edition of its Annual Baby Show at St. Anthony’s Parish Hall in Freetown. The event brought together mothers, children, healthcare workers, partners, and community members in a celebration aimed at promoting maternal and child healthcare services. The programme was organized in partnership with Healey International Relief Foundation and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, whose support helped strengthen outreach efforts and improve awareness of maternal and child health services within communities. The Annual Baby Show was dedicated to recognizing and appreciating pregnant women who faithfully attend antenatal clinic appointments, mothers who choose safe facility-based deliveries, and women who continue postnatal follow-up care after childbirth. The programme also acknowledged parents and caregivers who ensure that their children receive timely immunizations, as well as supportive fathers and partners who actively participate in maternal and child healthcare. Organizers noted that such commitment has contributed significantly to the wellbeing of children and families. Speaking during the event, representatives from partner institutions delivered statements highlighting the importance of maternal and child healthcare in reducing preventable illnesses and promoting healthy communities. Those who addressed the gathering included Umie R. Amara, Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh, Josephine Garnem, and Dr. Desmond M. Kangbai. The programme featured a short drama presentation demonstrating the positive impact of the clinic’s interventions on maternal and newborn health outcomes. Activities also included the distribution of gifts to mothers and children, and the recognition of nurses for their outstanding service and dedication to healthcare delivery. The event served as a celebration of life, motherhood, responsible healthcare, and family support, while also encouraging pregnant women to continue attending antenatal clinics regularly in order to promote safe motherhood and healthy children. In conclusion, since its establishment in 1994, St. Anthony’s Clinic for the Poor has remained committed to providing quality, affordable, and compassionate healthcare services to poor and vulnerable communities. Over the years, the clinic has continued to serve thousands of individuals, particularly women and children, ensuring that they receive the care, attention, and support necessary for healthier lives.