By Davida Spaine – Solomon
Freetown, 8th December, 2025– In the riverine communities of Bonthe District, a quiet but powerful transformation is unfolding. For many women and young people, life is beginning to look different, more hopeful, more stable, and more dignified thanks to European Union-supported economic empowerment programmes that are reshaping livelihoods and challenging long-standing gender norms.
European Union Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Jacek Jankowski
At the heart of this change is a project focused on promoting the economic and social rights of women and youth in southern and eastern Sierra Leone. Implemented by the Agency for Integrated Development Sierra Leone (AID-SL) and its partners, the initiative uses Village Savings and Loan Schemes (VSLA) to help families break free from cycles of poverty. Through small savings, soft loans, and continuous training, thousands are now building businesses, paying school fees, and taking charge of their futures.
For 30-year-old Titi Christiana Moijueh of Mattru Jong, the impact goes far beyond money.
“Before now, my husband hardly involved me in family decisions,” she said quietly, her voice steady with confidence. “But since I joined the savings group and started contributing financially, everything changed. Today, he respects my opinion.”
That shift from silence to influence is becoming common across several communities.
Rukiatu Massaquoi, 43, also found new strength through a soft loan from her VSLA group. She used it to support her daughter’s university education.
“As women, we’ve been trained not just to save, but to lead,” she said. “We now understand how to settle disputes peacefully. Even when problems come up in our groups, we solve them calmly.”
For widows like 45-year-old Margaret Kabba, support from the project has meant survival and dignity. Through EU-funded infrastructure, her community received a new grain store that allows women to process and sell gari in larger quantities.
“Before, everything was slow and difficult,” she explained. “But now, we can process almost two bags of 50kg of gari every day. It has changed how we earn.”
Beyond improving incomes, the project is also strengthening voices in governance and accountability. Joseph Dauda Sylvanus, a former civil society chairman, says the training he received has empowered him to better serve his community.
“I now understand record keeping, advocacy, and how to engage authorities,” he said. “I am no longer afraid to ask questions or demand accountability.”
These transformations were highlighted during the recent European Union Bus Tour across Sierra Leone, aimed at showcasing development projects and their real-life impact. The tour coincided with the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, reinforcing the message that economic independence is a powerful weapon against abuse.
Alongside financial empowerment, communities are also benefiting from leadership training, community dialogues, and awareness campaigns against harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.
What makes the project especially sustainable is its ability to blend modern financial systems with traditional practices like osusu. Even where external funding slows, many VSLA groups continue their activities independently, saving, lending, and supporting one another.
In Bonthe, empowerment is no longer just a word used at workshops. It is visible in the confidence of women, the education of children, the resilience of widows, and the bold voices of community advocates. One small loan at a time, lives are being rebuilt, and futures reimagined.
