 
Sixty five year old Zainab lost all of her own children during Sierra Leone's bloody ten-year civil war. When her last son was murdered, her daughter-in-law disappeared, leaving Zainab to care for her three young grandchildren who were aged between four and eight. Zainab's sister Boima, also lost everything during the conflict and they decided to live together. Since the war the family have struggled to get by and have relied on the generosity of their community to enable them to survive from one day to another. Zainab was especially concerned about the welfare of her grandchildren, as she was unable to send them to school or access medical help when they were ill. The family's house had also fallen into disrepair and during the last rainy season it collapsed. Fortunately some neighbours had a small room and let the family live in it temporarily. Their community has helped to build them a new house but they have only been able to construct the mud walls, as they had no money for the zinc roofing sheets.
Local community leaders identified the family as being vulnerable and at risk of breakdown and brought them to the attention of HANCI-SL*. When HANCI-SL first started supporting the family they had moved into their new house but were still roofless.
Social workers have been working with the family to address their immediate needs, ensuring that their home is secure and habitable and that they food and other essential items.
The team is now working with the family to individually tailor a support package that will address their long term needs and ensure that they have access to medical care, education, counselling and income generation.
Project SIerra's aim is to support Zainab and her family until they become self-sufficient and are able to face their future with confidence.
*HANCI-SL are Hope and Homes for Children's in-country partner, see ‘The Partnership' for more details.
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