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The Welfare Society for the Disabled Sierra Leone (WESOFOD-SL) Pujehun Branch, with support from Trócaire through the TECH-VOC project, convened a meeting on 27 February 2026 for 30 persons with disabilities shortlisted for upcoming six-month skills training at the Village of Hope in Pujehun District.
The meeting, held ahead of the official start of the programme, provided participants with detailed information about the project’s objectives, expectations, and benefits.
Welcoming attendees, WESOFOD-SL Pujehun District Coordinator Mohamed Sillah thanked participants for their turnout and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting inclusive development. “Although over 50 applicants applied, only 30 candidates were shortlisted,” he said.
Sillah explained that selected participants will receive training in tailoring, soap-making, and bead-making. The initiative seeks to promote economic independence among persons with disabilities by creating inclusive vocational opportunities that enhance self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.
He highlighted the project’s key components, including the construction of a fully accessible vocational training centre now nearing completion equipping the centre with modern tools, and providing business and financial management education to strengthen entrepreneurship among beneficiaries. The programme also supports 20 young persons with disabilities and 10 parents of children with disabilities through short-term skills training.
WESOFOD-SL Financial Officer Lahai Fullah assured participants of financial transparency and accountability, emphasizing that all materials and benefits outlined in the project will be delivered and properly documented.
Skills Centre Coordinator Mohamed Alhaji Sheriff urged participants to take the programme seriously, reminding them that any trainee absent three times without a valid reason will be removed. He also confirmed that trainees will receive in-township transport support and that graduates will be provided with start-up kits to launch their own businesses, with post-training monitoring conducted to ensure sustainability.
One of the applicants, Hassan Kpaka, expressed gratitude to WESOFOD-SL for the opportunity, promising on behalf of fellow participants to make the most of the training.
The TECH-VOC project is expected to significantly enhance economic empowerment and inclusion for persons with disabilities in Pujehun District, reinforcing WESOFOD-SL’s role as a leading advocate for disability rights and sustainable development in Sierra Leone.
