Brave Heart Project Certifies 73 Teachers and Field Researchers in Freetown
By Sorie Sesay
The Slum and Rural Health Initiative Network Sierra Leone has awarded certificates to 73 participants under its Brave Heart Project, including 61 teachers and 12 field researchers, in a ceremony held at the Empower Africa Business Center, Wallace Johnson Street, Freetown.
The certification event marked a significant milestone for the project, which focuses on addressing substance abuse and mental health challenges among young people aged 10 to 24.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Coordinator of the Network, Pharmacist Mohamed Marah, said the Brave Heart Project was launched in February 2025 to tackle the growing problem of drug use among young people in Sierra Leone. He emphasized that investing in the well-being of children and youths is critical to safeguarding the nation’s future.
Marah explained that the initiative operates in four slum communities and 40 schools across urban and rural areas, including both government and private institutions to ensure inclusivity. Each of the four targeted communities enrolled 100 children, bringing the total number of direct beneficiaries to 400.
According to him, teachers and community champions received specialized training using a structured curriculum designed to help prevent drug use and promote mental health awareness. Monitoring and evaluation exercises were conducted every two weeks to assess implementation and measure impact.
He noted that within 12 months, the project has recorded significant improvements in awareness levels and behavioral change among participating students.
Marah called on stakeholders, development partners, and health institutions to strengthen collaboration in addressing substance abuse, particularly the growing use of kush and other harmful drugs among young Sierra Leoneans.
Also addressing the gathering, Serex Alfred, a teacher and volunteer with the project, described drug use in schools as a serious and rising concern. He said the training enhanced his understanding of substance abuse prevention and introduced a two-way communication model that encourages students to openly discuss drug-related issues.
Alfred noted that the interactive approach has empowered students to share experiences, develop critical thinking skills, and make informed decisions, leading to noticeable positive changes in behavior.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, commended the participants for their commitment to community service, particularly in vulnerable slum communities.
He stressed that combating substance abuse requires collective action from parents, teachers, religious institutions, government agencies, and young people themselves. The Minister also highlighted ongoing ministry-supported talk shows and awareness campaigns aimed at addressing drug-related challenges nationwide.
Minister Sackey urged the newly certified teachers and field researchers to remain dedicated to the cause, describing their role as vital in shaping a drug-free future for Sierra Leone’s youth.
