Years of civil war followed by the deadly Ebola outbreak have left thousands of children orphaned and alone in Sierra Leone.

These orphans often face neglect and abuse that no person, especially no child, should ever have to endure. Girls are particularly vulnerable and trafficked at rapid rates, often by their own family members. In 2019 the President of Sierra Leone declared a State of Emergency in regards to violence towards women and children. 

• Sierra Leone is one of the 10 poorest nations in the world with the majority of the population living in poverty
• A third of young children are engaged in child labor
• Almost half of the girls in Sierra Leone are married before their 18th birthday
• Half of the girls under age 15 are unable to read or write
• The country ranks 181 out of 189 for worst health, labor and empowerment conditions for women, according to the United Nations

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