After two weeks since my arrival I am beginning to acclimatise to the heat and the vibrancy of Sierra Leonean culture. It is so beautiful here, full of warm, smiley and happy people. I feel so privileged to be here and to help build a new community that has the potential to change so many lives. I have been busy meeting new people and meeting with potential partners and funders, which has been all so interesting.
This week I have also visited some of the slum communities we hope to work with and resettle families from. I spent some time with FEDURP, the Federation of Urban and Rural Poor, a grassroots organisation set up and driven by the slum dwellers themselves. They mobilised to represent the voice of slum dwellers in Sierra Leone and provide a platform to organise local development within their communities such as, the building of infrastructure, money saving schemes, advocacy and empowerment. They were so welcoming and encouraged to hear of our project. I was so humbled and inspired to have the opportunity to listen to many of their views on Home Leone and the positive impact they think it might have on their communities. I am really looking forward to learning more from FEDURP and I hope that they can be the platform that will enable beneficiaries to participate in and be empowered by Home Leone’s vision. This I hope will lead to our projects sustainability and success.
I am really looking forward to getting more settled in and learning more about this wonderful place.
FEDURP Slogan ‘Poor but not Powerless, Homeless but not Hopeless’
Lovely report Katherine . It is obvious, you are in the right place!
God bless you!