Providing a safe home for Orphaned Children in Sierra Leone.

My Name is Christiana Caiquo, In 2022, I had the privilege of returning to my homeland, Sierra Leone, for the first time in over 25 years. It was an incredible experience to reconnect with the beauty of the country, the warmth of the people, and the richness of our culture. From stunning landscapes to our delicious cuisine, it was truly a journey filled with nostalgia and deep appreciation.

While there, I met three orphaned girls—Hawa, Aminata, and Fatima—who touched my heart in a profound way. Their situation brought me back to memories of my own childhood and reminded me of the challenges many children face. It was a powerful moment that captured my heart and left a lasting impression.

This challenged me to make a change in their life, bringing forth LATTER DAYS FOUNDATION.

Sierra Leone is a small country in West Africa with a population of 8.61 million. It is known as one of the poorest countries in the world, despite being rich in natural resources, particularly gold and diamonds. The nation's land is abundant with minerals and oil, which could potentially provide wealth for the government and its citizens. However, wealthier nations have historically exploited these resources, preventing Sierra Leone from benefiting fully. Many may be familiar with the film Blood Diamond, which highlighted Sierra Leone's diamond trade and its connection to the brutal civil war that erupted in 1991. This conflict left many children orphaned and forced to live on the streets.

Sierra Leone gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1961, but after 11 years of civil unrest, more than 120,000 people were killed, and millions were displaced by violence and insecurity. Over 5,000 children were forcibly recruited as child soldiers, often drugged and forced to commit atrocities. These children were subjected to threats of violence against their families if they refused. Many young girls were exploited as domestic workers or sex slaves.The Struggles of Orphans in Sierra Leone

The aftermath of Sierra Leone's civil war left thousands of children orphaned, many of whom had lost their families to violence or were abandoned due to the extreme poverty that followed the conflict. With limited access to basic necessities like food, shelter, and healthcare, these children were forced to live on the streets or in overcrowded homes.

Orphaned children, without the protection and guidance of their families, became highly vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and neglect. Many were coerced into child labour, while girls were often trafficked or forced into domestic servitude. The lack of stable homes also meant that many orphans could not attend school, leaving them trapped in cycles of poverty.

Just as the nation began to recover from the war, another tragedy struck—the Ebola outbreak of 2014. Sierra Leone was one of the hardest-hit countries during the West African Ebola epidemic. The virus killed over 11,000 people across the region, leaving behind a new wave of orphans. In Sierra Leone alone, an estimated 12,000 children lost one or both parents to the disease.

These Ebola orphans faced a unique set of challenges. Many were stigmatized by their communities, seen as "contaminated" or "cursed" due to their association with the virus. This social stigma compounded their isolation and made it even harder for them to find care and support. Traditional family networks, which are a vital part of the social fabric in Sierra Leone, were disrupted as relatives feared taking in orphaned children, worried they might bring the virus into their homes.

Despite efforts by international organizations and local charities to provide support, the overwhelming number of orphans has stretched resources thin. Many of these children still struggle with trauma and a lack of access to education, healthcare, and stable homes. Organizations continue to work on rehabilitating these children, offering them hope for a better future, but the long-term impact of both the civil war and the Ebola crisis remains a significant challenge for Sierra Leone.

My Mission is to Provide a Safe Home for not just my GIRLS but for other Orphans just like them in Sierra Leone. To watch them grow has brought me so much joy.

With just £100 we can transform the life of a child by covering their basic needs by paying for their school fees, school equipment, and uniform for an entire year.

My three girls have endured great hardship in their past years, they are now in the care of my family friend who despite having their own children, have opened their home to these girls, providing them with the care and support they desperately needed. Since my first trip in 2022 I now have 6 girls that I care for. I am committed to extending this support to more children in similar situations.

I have acquired a land where I have started building a home that will serve as an orphanage, offering a safe and nurturing environment for these 6 girls and many other others and motherless children in Sierra Leone. The cost to build a 6-bedroom house, which will accommodate 12 children is £15,000.

Your assistance is crucial in helping me reach this goal and provide these children with a stable and loving home. Any contribution, big or small, will make a significant difference in their lives. https://www.instagram.com/latter_days_foundation/profilecard/?igsh=NTFzbHNhdjh2emg0