On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Isam Ghanim, President and CEO of ChildFund International, visited Sierra Leone and held an interactive session with young beneficiaries of the organization’s programs.

The event, hosted at Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, brought together youth representatives from various child-focused organizations to discuss the impact of ChildFund’s sponsorship programs on their lives and communities.

Madam Isatu O.C. Venn, Programs and Sponsorship Director for ChildFund Sierra Leone, highlighted the purpose of the gathering: to facilitate a direct dialogue between the organization’s leadership and the youth it serves. “This meeting is an opportunity for our young people to share their experiences, the benefits they’ve gained from our programs, and the challenges they’ve faced,” she stated.

Participants expressed profound gratitude for the opportunities provided by ChildFund. Phillipa Gide-Dole, President of the Children’s Forum Network (CFN), lauded the organization as a “symbol of hope” for children in Sierra Leone and globally. She recounted how ChildFund enabled her to travel abroad for the first time, representing Sierra Leone at children’s conferences in Kenya and Dubai. “ChildFund has been instrumental in shaping who I am today,” she remarked.

Another participant shared how the provision of toilet and water facilities in her school by ChildFund addressed significant hygiene challenges. “Previously, the lack of proper facilities caused many girls to miss school during their menstrual periods. Now, with these amenities, attendance has improved,” she noted.

Morris Bocakrie, Vice President of CFN, emphasized the importance of understanding children’s issues from their perspective. He praised ChildFund’s collaboration with the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs on projects like education for protection and social-emotional learning (SEL) training for teachers and caregivers. “These initiatives have been pivotal in enhancing children’s well-being and academic performance,” he said.

In his response, CEO Isam Ghanim expressed admiration for the participants’ articulate presentations and enthusiasm. “Your energy and clarity of thought are inspiring. It’s evident that, given the opportunity, you can achieve even more,” he stated. He reaffirmed ChildFund’s commitment to creating a world where every child lives a healthy and safe life. “Our mission is to listen to children, understand their challenges, and allocate resources to address those issues,” he added.

The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, where participants engaged directly with Mr. Ghanim and ChildFund Sierra Leone’s Country Director, Victor Kamara. Mr. Kamara elaborated on the organization’s ongoing efforts to impact children’s lives positively across the country.

ChildFund has been operating in Sierra Leone since 1985, supporting vulnerable children and youth up to age 24 through a life-stage approach that addresses health, education, and child protection needs. Key initiatives include the Aflatoun curriculum on children’s rights and entrepreneurship, improved school sanitation facilities, and the integration of social-emotional learning into the national curriculum in partnership with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education.