With support from Trócaire under the Empowering Youths and Women with Disability for Independent and Sustainable Living (TECH-VOC) project, the Welfare Society for the Disabled Sierra Leone (WESOFOD-SL) Pujehun branch has successfully commissioned and launched the Denise Harris Skills Training and Production Centre in Pujehun District.

The landmark event brought together key community stakeholders, including education leaders, Paramount Chiefs, parents, persons with disabilities, regional authorities, media representatives, and development partners, demonstrating strong local ownership and a shared commitment to advancing inclusion and empowerment.

Delivering a keynote message on behalf of the donor, Rachel Newbray of Trócaire emphasised that meaningful impact goes beyond financial support. She noted that true transformation lies in empowering beneficiaries to contribute positively to their communities. According to her, the centre established in continuation of the legacy of the donor’s late husband is not just a structure, but a symbol of inclusion, opportunity, and lasting change.

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She highlighted that the Denise Harris Skills Training and Production Centre, located at the Village of Hope, will serve as a safe and empowering space where barriers are dismantled, dignity is restored, and youths and women with disabilities acquire practical skills for sustainable and independent living.
As part of efforts to enhance accessibility, staff, donors, and stakeholders collaborated with Mobility Worldwide – Sierra Leone to provide mobility aids, including PET carts and crutches, to pupils with disabilities, thereby improving participation within the learning environment.

Providing an overview of WESOFOD-SL, Executive Director Josepha Alieu Kamara explained that the organisation, established in 2004, is a local non-governmental organisation of persons with disabilities committed to promoting disability inclusion nationwide. He stated that WESOFOD-SL is registered with the Ministry of Social Welfare, district councils in Kambia and Pujehun, the Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues, and the Corporate Affairs Commission of Sierra Leone. Its core mission, he noted, is to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities through inclusive education, vocational training, small-scale enterprise development, advocacy, and social protection initiatives.

Speaking on program achievements, Programs Officer Thomas KJ Lebbie revealed that since 2018, Trócaire has partnered with WESOFOD-SL to implement empowerment projects targeting women and youths with disabilities in Kambia and Pujehun districts. He disclosed that three vocational training centres have already been established in Kambia District, supporting 190 beneficiaries with skills in blacksmithing, soap making, gara tie-dyeing, weaving, and shoemaking. These efforts have led to the creation of 190 small-scale enterprises.


At the district level, Mohamed Sillah explained that the new Pujehun centre aims to train 30 youths and women with disabilities in soap making, bead making, and tailoring, while also supporting them to establish income-generating ventures. He added that the facility will operate as a social enterprise, producing goods for sale at affordable prices to ensure long-term sustainability beyond the initial project phase.

Skills Centre Coordinator Mohamed Alhaji Sheriff expressed gratitude to donors and community stakeholders for their unwavering support. He assured attendees of the team’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and full implementation of the project to maximise benefits for trainees. He encouraged students to take their training seriously and urged instructors to deliver quality teaching.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Massah Bangura thanked WESOFOD-SL and its partners for the opportunity, noting that the training would enable them to become self-reliant and active contributors to society. She pledged that participants would fully commit themselves to making the most of the program.
The commissioning of the Denise Harris Skills Training and Production Centre marks a significant milestone in advancing inclusive development and economic empowerment for persons with disabilities in Pujehun District and beyond.