By Nafisatu Olayinka Deen
Freetown, 3rd August, 2026 – The Orange Foundation, in partnership with Project 1835, has launched the Threads of Hope Project under the theme: “From Learning to Earning: Building Sustainable Livelihoods for Young Creatives through Digital and Textile Innovation.” The Project aims to equip young people with six months of hands-on training in digital and textile innovation to gain practical skills that will translate directly into income opportunities.
Speaking at the launch, held at the Freetown Innovation Hub on 2nd September, 2026, Director of Orange Foundation, Annie Wonnie Katta, stated that the project aims to bridge the unemployment gap in the creative sector. “Threads of Hope was designed to bridge the gap between what young people learn and what the market pays for,” she said.
Mahmoud Javombo, team leader of Project 1835, noted that the project aims to turn skills into earnings. “The project’s core mission is to move young creatives beyond certificates into real, sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
Participants thanked Orange and promised to make use of the opportunity.
By combining digital skills with textile innovation, the initiative recognizes two of Sierra Leone’s biggest opportunities: the global demand for digital freelancers, and the economic value of local fabrics, fashion, and crafts.
