The Aberdeen community in Freetown, Sierra Leone, is made up primarily of low-income fishing families who have faced devastating setbacks over the past decade. The Ebola outbreak stripped them of many of their economic and social resources, and just as they began to recover, the COVID-19 pandemic hit—deepening existing poverty and food insecurity. Already vulnerable, these families now struggle daily to meet their basic needs, with children and youth among the most affected—often going without regular meals, missing school due to hunger or illness, and facing limited opportunities for growth, development, and a stable future. In response to these challenges, the We Are the Future (WAF) Centre has become a vital support system within the community. The Centre offers children access to quality education and provides them with warm, nutritious meals each school day—often the only substantial meal they receive. In addition to supporting students, the Centre also focuses on building long-term community resilience. Youth and women are trained in sustainable gardening practices, equipping them with practical skills that can lead to employment or income generation through local food production. The community garden supplies fresh vegetables for school meals and models household food cultivation to tackle food insecurity.

Currently, nearly half of Sierra Leone’s population—49%—faces food insecurity, with the hardest-hit communities being urban and impoverished. In areas like Aberdeen, food availability is largely determined by high market prices and limited access to nutritious produce. As a result, many children come to school hungry, which significantly hinders their ability to concentrate, learn, and thrive. In more severe cases, children are pulled out of school altogether to help support their families. Though the government had previously begun initiatives to combat hunger, many of these efforts have stalled due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing economic strain.

To help address this crisis, TEL International has chosen to work in partnership with the WAF Centre to improve food security through a three-part strategy focused on community gardens, daily access to nutritious food, and building self-sufficiency. By providing over 150 students with a balanced school meal each day, the program not only nourishes their growing bodies but also enhances their ability to stay engaged in the classroom, boosting both attendance and academic performance. The gardening training offered to youth and women empowers participants to become contributors to their local food system, share skills with others in the community, and improve their future earning potential.

A consistent, healthy lunch plays a critical role in a child’s development. Beyond immediate physical health, it supports cognitive growth, strengthens concentration, and decreases school dropout rates. At the same time, it eases the burden on parents and caregivers who may otherwise struggle to provide a meal. Engaging community members directly in the gardening process fosters greater awareness of the relationship between agriculture and nutrition. This hands-on involvement encourages families to grow their own food, improving household access to fresh produce, increasing food independence, and strengthening economic stability. It also builds a sense of community ownership and resilience in the face of future disasters, positioning Aberdeen not just to survive, but to begin building a healthier, more secure future.

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