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The Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL), in partnership with Christian Aid, is supporting women displaced by the land conflict in Malen Chiefdom to rebuild their lives through savings groups and small-scale businesses.
As part of efforts to restore livelihoods, CCSL has established 21 Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) groups across Malen Chiefdom. Each group comprises between 25 and 30 women, providing members with access to low-interest loans, business training, counselling, and peacebuilding activities.
The initiative blends economic empowerment with peacebuilding to assist hundreds of women who lost access to farmland following the expansion of oil palm plantations by SOCFIN. The conflict, which escalated into violence in 2023, led to widespread displacement, leaving many women struggling to provide for their families.
For Fatmata Feika, a widow from Tissana, the intervention has brought renewed hope after the loss of her husband during the violence.
“My husband was killed during the conflict period in Malen Chiefdom. I suffered a lot, and it was not easy to provide for my children,” she said. “Now, through the loans, I can run my petty business and take care of myself and my two children without borrowing money from outside at high interest.”
Women participating in the VSLA groups report that cash grants have strengthened their savings and loan portfolios, enabling members to access loans at a monthly interest rate of 10 per cent, significantly lower than rates charged by many banks and microfinance institutions.
Community leaders say the savings groups are proving to be powerful tools for women’s empowerment and economic recovery in conflict-affected areas. Many of the women are now planning to expand into rice trading as part of their collective business ventures.
The programme has also supported the return and reintegration of displaced families. So far, five families uprooted by the conflict have returned and reunited with their communities.
Madam Hannah Deen of Sahn-Malen, one of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude for the support she received after returning home.
“I thank God for CCSL for their support in this chiefdom. Now I am the chairlady of Muloma Women’s Group in Sahn Malen. The group helped me to be resettled, and I am doing my own business. I am grateful,” she said.
Beyond financial assistance, the initiative promotes non-violent communication, entrepreneurship, advocacy, and financial management-helping women rebuild confidence and contribute to peace in their communities.
Malen Chiefdom authorities have recognised the contributions of CCSL and Christian Aid, describing the initiative as a model for linking peacebuilding with economic recovery for displaced women and conflict-affected communities.
