Location and History
Sierra Leone is recognised as the third poorest country in the world with 80% of the population unemployed, intermittent electricity and water services and hygiene, health and education at crisis levels. The epicentre of activity is Freetown, the capital, with a population of some 2 million people. Ethnically, culturally and religiously diverse, the city is home to a significant number of the country’s ethnic group with Krio being the main language spoken.
The Ebola virus epidemic was identified in Sierra Leone and neighbouring countries of Guinea and Liberia in 2014. The devastating effect of this deadly disease left many orphans…some have been adopted by family members while others have been left to fend for themselves on the streets.
After many years of involvement with orphans and street children, Paradise 4 Kids (P4K) understands the challenges in keeping them from reverting to old habits in the streets and in keeping them at school. They began sponsoring those living with family members … providing financial support and ensuring the completion of their education; and then moved to the construction of home style orphanages for the homeless along with sporting opportunities tailored for orphans and street children.
Vision
They strive to provide the best quality education in a sports academy, using sport to reduce the barriers to education for orphans and street children in Sierra Leone and to improve their opportunities in the future.
Objectives
- To acquire the dilapidated sports academy…25 acres with a building with 5 classrooms, 1 large two storey building for 54 male children, kitchen and dining building, 5 houses for onsite workers, medical clinic building and a full size sand football practice field with ample room to grow.
- To develop and expand the school in increments to provide opportunities for as many orphans and street children as possible to access the sports academy to enable a continuum of education from primary to high school and to equip them for a brighter future.
- To commence a women’s league to include girls and women in this programme and reduce their oppression and marginalisation.
- To expand the services offered to include social, community and benevolent programmes to assist the local communities such as broad healthcare services, sanitisation, school feeding programme, provide sporting facilities and equipment to other schools.
Beneficiaries
Currently there are over 50 children benefiting from the programme and they anticipate up to 2000 children will benefit within the 5 years…girls and boys 6 to 18 years, women and men 25 to 45, street children, disabled, unemployed, impoverished, victims of crime and pre post relief offenders and general community of Sierra Leone.
Project to date
They are currently working with representatives of FIFA UK to acquire a dilapidated abandoned Sports Academy and convert it into a Sports Academy with accommodation and full primary and high school facilities for both orphans and street children.
You can help
To contribute to this project and the realisation of their vision for this vulnerable community, please click on “Donate to this Project” on the right sidebar. Thank you
