©InfoFor Tenneh Andrew, mother of six children, life since the end of the war in Sierra Leone has not been easy, but things are looking up as her community is coming together with support from the Red Cross.
“I am very proud of the Red Cross,” she says. “I love working with them as they have helped to improve my life.”
After the conflict
Tenneh’s village, Mogbowama, had been attacked in 1995 by fighters and most villagers fled. The Red Cross first started working with Tenneh’s community in 2000, helping rebuild peace after the war. This was done by addressing issues and conflicts within the community and restoring relationships through development activities that are of common need to community members.
Tenneh says: “I was 16 when I was captured with my six-month-old son. But I lost my baby and was forced to carry a load for the fighters. At times they would beat me.
“After nine months I managed to run away but I was recaptured the next day by another group who made me carry a heavy load to the Liberian border, which was where I stayed for the next four years. During that time I had another baby.”
Building peace
In 1999, Tenneh was able to return home and was reunited with her family. However, as the community came back together after the horrors of the conflict, many were suspicious of each other and there were a lot of issues within the village leading to physical and emotional violence.
The Red Cross helped set up community peace committees to intervene, help ease tensions and reduce domestic violence.
Tenneh says: “The Red Cross came and taught us how to forgive one another and be united. And now with their help we are making big improvements in our village.”
Community health
Thanks to a Sierra Leone Red Cross community health programme, Mogbowama village now has a hand-pump well and latrines. These facilities, alongside the programme’s health and hygiene education, have helped reduce illness in the community – particularly diarrhoea among the children, which in such remote villages can sometimes be fatal.
Since the Red Cross has been working with Mogbowama village people’s health has improved, and maternal and child mortality have reduced in the community.
Tenneh says: “I now know the importance of plate racks and clothes lines, as drying things on the floor can lead to health problems. I also compost and take care of my environment.
“I joined the mothers’ club and we have a backyard gardening group, from this we can sell the produce and use the money to loan to each other. With the loan I took I do petty trading and am able to assist my husband and care for my family.”
Watch a video about children affected by the conflict in Sierra Leone