People to People Project Boosts Peace and Economic Resilience in Western Rural District
The People to People (P2P) Project, funded by UNAID, is making significant strides in promoting peace and economic empowerment in Sierra Leone’s Western Rural District. The project has focused on empowering women and youth through financial literacy, business development, and peacebuilding training.
A major initiative of the project has been the creation of Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) groups, aimed at promoting financial independence and sustainable businesses. Fifty VSLA groups have been formed, equipping women and youth with the skills to manage their finances and start businesses. Additionally, youth have been trained as peace ambassadors to foster grassroots peacebuilding.
Hamid Sesay, Secretary of the Waterloo Bike Riders Association, shared how the project has transformed his community from one plagued by violence to one focused on peace. “We are now agents of peace,” Sesay said, reflecting the positive shift in mindset due to the training.
Mariama Jalloh, District Program Manager for SEND Sierra Leone, highlighted the self-reliant nature of the VSLA model, which empowers women to take leadership roles and engage in independent livelihoods. Unlike traditional banks, the model provides a more accessible and local solution to financial challenges.
Mary Titian Tarawallie, a VSLA participant, praised the initiative for restoring her dignity. “We no longer face the shame of high-interest loans. We now save together and take soft loans,” she said. Fatmata Mansaray, another peace ambassador, echoed these sentiments, noting how the VSLA has helped her become more financially disciplined.
The project’s financial literacy training has been equally transformative for women entrepreneurs. Salamatu Koroma, a 50-year-old VSLA member, shared how a soft loan from the group helped her improve her business and support her family. Zainab Conteh, also 50, described the business training as life-changing, contributing to the growth of her small business.
The success of the project was celebrated at a certification ceremony on November 29, 2024, where women and youth from the region were recognized for completing business development and financial literacy training.
The P2P Project has not only empowered women economically but also equipped them to address social issues within their communities. Khadija Brima, Vice Chairperson of the P2P Project, stressed the importance of the peace program in helping women stand up against violence, including rape and sexual assault, and understand their rights.
Ultimately, the P2P Project aims to reduce politically motivated violence and strengthen peace through community-led efforts. With the support of Trocaire, SEND Sierra Leone, and other partners, the project is empowering women and youth to lead in both peacebuilding and economic development in Sierra Leone’s Western Rural District.
