The Freetown City Council (FCC), in collaboration with CHANGE, WoLEAD, and the Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre (SLURC), has initiated a series of consultations with stakeholders from the Susan’s Bay Community to discuss the upcoming pilot phase of the groundbreaking “Freetown Caring City” project.

The “Freetown Caring City” project, a pioneering initiative in Africa, draws inspiration from a similar model currently operational in Bogotá, Colombia.

This innovative project is designed to address the needs of women caregivers in the community by providing a dedicated space for support and services.

The project will see the construction of a single-story building in Susan’s Bay, intended to serve as a hub for women caregivers. This facility will offer a range of free services aimed at alleviating the challenges of unpaid care work. Among the services available will be adult education programs, reproductive health services, and daycare facilities for children and disabled individuals.

Funded by the International Development Research Centre, the “Freetown Caring City” project is a key component of the Human Capital Development Cluster under the #TransformFreetownTransformingLives agenda. It aims to empower women by providing essential resources and skills training to enhance their well-being and contribute to community development.

During the stakeholder meetings, FCC representatives and project partners outlined the goals and benefits of the initiative, engaging with community members to gather feedback and ensure the project aligns with local needs and expectations.

The consultations mark a critical step in the project’s implementation, highlighting the commitment to inclusive development and support for vulnerable populations in Freetown.