By Development Team | Kidsave Staff
At Kidsave, reunification is about more than bringing children home—it is about ensuring families have the tools and resources they need to thrive long after the reunification process is complete.
This year, our partner, Integrated Development Initiatives Sierra Leone (IDI-SL), continued investing in families and communities through a variety of training and economic empowerment programs designed to strengthen child protection and family stability.
Over 680 participants, including caregivers, community stakeholders, para-social workers, teachers, and community case monitors, took part in trainings focused on child rights and protection, foster care management, gender-based violence prevention and reporting, menstrual hygiene, financial literacy, business management, bookkeeping, and Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). These trainings help equip caregivers and community members with the knowledge and skills needed to provide safe, nurturing, and supportive environments for children.
In addition to classroom-based learning, women participating in agricultural and food production initiatives received specialized on-farm agricultural training. Following the training, participants were provided with seeds and farming tools on loan, enabling them to cultivate crops and generate income while improving food security for their families.
A particularly impactful component of the program has been the Microloan Business Support Program. This year, 114 families benefited from microloans, with priority given to low-income households that had welcomed children through the reunification program. These small loans have allowed caregivers to start or expand businesses, create sustainable sources of income, and better meet the needs of the children in their care.
The results have been encouraging. Repayment rates have remained strong, averaging between 90 and 92 percent, demonstrating both the commitment of participants and the effectiveness of the program. Most importantly, many women who received microloans are now experiencing greater financial stability and are better able to support their children's education, healthcare, and daily needs.
One of the most exciting milestones came in December, when the Bank of Sierra Leone formally awarded a license to ICFP, a component of IDI, to operate as a credit-only microfinance institution. This achievement represents a significant step forward for the program and creates new opportunities to expand financial services and economic support to even more vulnerable families in the future.
Thanks to your support, families are receiving more than temporary assistance—they are gaining the knowledge, resources, and economic opportunities needed to build stable, loving homes where children can flourish. Together, we are helping ensure that reunified children not only return home but have the support they need to succeed for years to come.
Thank you for making this work possible. Your generosity is helping strengthen families, empower caregivers, and create brighter futures for children across Sierra Leone.
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