On Tuesday, 15th September 2026, the Ambassador of Ireland to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Patrick McManus, visited Caritas Freetown’s Kush Rehabilitation and Empowerment Center at Makomba Village, off Newton, to learn about the organisation’s response to the Kush crisis and explore opportunities for collaboration.
The Ambassador, accompanied by representatives of the Embassy of Ireland and Irish Aid, was received by Caritas Freetown’s Executive Director, Rev. Fr. Peter Alpha Leo Konteh, together with members of the Board, management and the REAR Project team.
During the visit, Caritas Freetown presented the REAR Programme’s holistic rehabilitation model, which includes residential care, counselling, vocational training, family engagement and social reintegration.
Ambassador McManus expressed concern over the impact of Kush on individuals and communities, noting that Ireland also faces significant drug-related challenges.
“It’s not always about numbers. Whether there are 48 or 50 or so people coming through the Centre, that’s 50 lives that you’ve touched and transformed,” he said, commending Caritas Freetown’s human-centered approach.”
The delegation toured the Center’s residential facilities, counselling spaces, vocational training areas and agricultural garden. Discussions focused on resource gaps, capacity building, programme sustainability and possible support from Irish Aid.
Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh expressed appreciation for the visit, stating that the engagement provided an opportunity to share the human stories behind the programme and explore stronger partnerships to support vulnerable young people.
The visit concluded with a reaffirmation of Caritas Freetown’s commitment to working with the Government, development partners and local communities to strengthen rehabilitation services and provide young people affected by substance abuse with opportunities for recovery, empowerment and reintegration into society.
