Considerable underdevelopment marked the current situation faced by many individuals in communities throughout, as evidenced by their dismal socio-economic status. This dire state of affairs is attributable to extreme poverty and inadequate agricultural practices, which have resulted in widespread food shortages.
Among the most vulnerable groups in these communities are women, the elderly, children, and the physically challenged. These individuals face significant obstacles in accessing essential resources and services, such as livelihood opportunities, clean drinking water and sanitation, healthcare, education, and decent housing. Many of these individuals live in remote, underserved communities where basic infrastructure and services are scarce or entirely absent. They often suffer from waterborne diseases, high infant and maternal mortality rates, and frequent epidemics.
Women in these communities, particularly those who are disabled, elderly, or single parents, are often at a distinct disadvantage, facing social marginalization and exclusion. Many of these women, along with girls who have been forced to leave school because of poverty, resort to physically demanding work, such as stone mining, to support themselves and their families. Others turn to live in slums or ghettos, where they may become involved in drug addiction or prostitution. Despite the availability of free education, many families cannot keep their children in school, as their meagre incomes do not cover even the most basic living expenses. As a result, poverty remains entrenched, with few signs of improvement.
Children in need, including Ebola orphans and those living with disabilities, can often be found begging on the streets or performing grueling labour to survive. Some even work in mines alongside adults, extracting valuable minerals like diamonds and gold. Though many of these children possess the potential to learn practical agricultural skills through formal or informal education, they lack the support, care, and attention because of the overwhelming challenges of poverty, inadequate housing, and lack of medical care.
To bring about meaningful change in the lives of Sierra Leone’s most impoverished and marginalized citizens, urgent intervention is required from local organizations, individuals, and agencies. These stakeholders must collaborate with SUSTAIN SALONE and other international groups to combat the poverty that has stifled the socio-economic development of rural communities throughout the country. The establishment of SUSTAIN SALONE seeks to address these pressing issues and bring hope to the people of Sierra Leone, who have long been suffering from the consequences of war and deprivation.
