The Background
The internal armed conflict in Sierra Leone lasted from March 1991 to January of 2002, with the disarming of more than 55,000 combatants, including 7,000 child soldiers. Sierra Leone is now a democracy with an elected government.
The poverty rate in Sierra Leone is alarming. Very few families can afford one balanced meal a day. As a result, child malnutrition and undernourishment are prevalent. Basic sanitation, basic health programs, and clean water supply are limited. Sierra Leone is ranked as the nineth least livable country in the world, with the highest maternal morbidity and infant mortality rates. 25% of all children born die before their fifth birthday from preventable diseases. 1 in 8 mothers die in childbirth due to lack of medical care.
Grafton Village has a population of 12,000. Of this number, 58% are school-aged children. Only 40% of school-aged children attend school due to the high cost associated with education. 90% of the children not attending school are involved in some form of child labor to assist in bringing income to their households.
The Hebron House of Refuge Project consists of:
