Project Activities – Women Of Potential International

FLORINAH`S ORPHANAGE

The proposed Florinah’s orphanage will be located in Lungi, Sierra Leone. It will be a 50-bed facility that will provide comprehensive child care to orphans, both (boys and girls) from 5-16 years of age. It aims to provide a secure future for the children. The orphanage will be managed by Women of Potential but will be overseen by ‘mothers’ drawn from the Lungi community. This will empower the women and their families as well as provide the children with a culturally relevant upbringing..

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Background info About Lungi

Lungi is a small coastal town in Port Loko District in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone. The town lies approximately 40 miles north of the district capital Port Loko and had a population of 4185 in the 2004 census with a recent population estimated at 8,091Lungi is best known for being home to the Lungi International Airport, the international airport that serves Sierra Leone. The sea separates Lungi from Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown. Economically, Lungi is the gate way to Sierra Leone. This city is widely known for the presence of the only international airport in the country, a highly fortified police and army division. Also, there are hotels and guest houses for visitors coming in and out of the country.

People in Lungi are engaged in different economic activities. The income of individuals can be determined by the level of education one possesses. The most fortunate, with higher education gains employment in the offices of the above mentioned facilities. One would expect that the presence of the international airport might provide sufficient job opportunities for the locals in the area. Contrary to this assumption, high level offices are managed by Sierra Leonean born and educated outside Lungi.

Those in Lungi, especially the youth, have systematically refused obtaining higher education. Consequently, the majority of these youths are now hanging around the airport waiting to help and beg money from passengers flying through the airport. Others do find themselves engaged in farming, fishing, and petty trading. The last involves the selling of all sorts of goods/articles. The major farming activity involves the production of ground nut, onions, cassava and potatoes. The little resources gained from the farming activities are not enough to up keep their families, but they do manage it to provide the basic needs to sustain their families.

Vision and Mission statement

To provide a safe, warm, nurturing and caring environment for Sierra Leone’s child orphans.

PROJECT MISSION

Every child is special and unique and deserves the right to a supportive environment that provides comprehensive needs that will help them grow and realise their full potential. The children to realize their full potentiality and destiny’s in all area of their life. Our mission is to collaborate with local authorities to ensure that the basic needs of all orphans are well catered for so that they can become full members of the society. .

Project Background

Children are among the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in any society. In societies such as Sierra Leone they face acute hardships that deprives them from realising their full potential. They often lack the basic necessities such as shelter, food, clothing, water, proper health care, parental care, protection and education. Florinah’s orphanage aims at helping the orphans realise their dreams by creating a nurturing environment that meets their needs.

The Goal and objectives

Is to improve quality and comprehensive care for orphans by providing education, accommodation and 24-hrs care.

To train care givers from the community in the appropriate skills that is require in order to give adequate care, love and support.

To create awareness in the community about the rights, needs, challenges and potential of orphans in society.

To provide a secure place where orphans can play and enjoy their childhood.

Project Focus

To acquire a building and to establish a home, a nursery for orphans in the Lungi vicinity, managed by care givers (mothers) and teachers.

To provide a nutritious diet would be provided 3 times a day, a school material such as books, pencil, crayons.

To give an opportunity to every child for both in and outdoor recreation, play facilities along with training in musical instruments and football, to name a few.

The Problem Situation

With the current Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone the children have been among the most adversely affected. Many of them have lost both or either parents and some have become homeless as a result. A recent report indicates that there are approximately 4000 to 5000 Ebola-related orphans in Sierra Leone. In addition there are also hundreds of orphans from the civil war. Some of these children have been forced into anti-social and criminal activities.

Sustainability

Our main sustainability strategy for the proposed orphanage will be done through community engagement. Proper community monitoring committees will be set up, by which community members will be trained in comprehensive child care management. They will also be equipped with basic tools on child protection and community engagement. By training and using these communities to this extent to complete the work will insure strong community buy in and ownership.