Impact Vocational Training Centerfor Women Farmers

Update 1. In Person Outreach Visit with Women farmers and Foindu Village Community in February 2025.

Highlights:

During a recent visit to Sierra Leone, West Africa, the CEO of Impact Sierra Leone visited with the members of the Agribusiness Women’s Collective. These members make up 39 women farmers from the rural village of Foindu, all wanting a better life for themselves and their families. These women are the direct beneficiaries of the Vocational Training Center. Unfortunately, we lost one of the women farmers In January 2025 due to an untimely death from a brief illness. The death

of one of our members has pushed us more to build this skills center of hope. In February 2025, the CEO of ISL met personally with each woman farmer, providing them with clothes and supplies as well as taking heartwarming photos which created memories of impact. While engaging with the women on their future vocational training center, we learned that in addition to learning how to sew they also want to make handmade fabric called “Gara” The women and I engaged in cultural singing and dancing as part of my welcome. These moments are very special in building the momentum. The women farmers of Foindu Village are eager and excited—ready to embrace this opportunity to transform their futures through skill and craftsmanship.

Update 2. Conducted Groundbreaking at the future site of the Vocational Training Center

A major milestone for our project was a visit by the CEO to the land where the future vocational training center will be built with key stakeholders and some of the women farmers. ISL team conducted a brief groundbreaking ceremony with farm tools to officially turn the soil. After the groundbreaking, ISL team held a very important meeting with the community members to discuss next steps. Our team agreed that a Site visit should be conducted by the selected Project manager, Construction Engineer, Site Surveyor and ISL leadership on the ground. We are excited that we now have a Project manager for this building project. We are currently interviewing for a Construction Engineer who will deliver concrete architectural designs for the building project. Our timeline to conduct the Project Site Visit is by Saturday March 22, 2025. The products to be developed from this site visit will be a Survey Report, Architectural designs/drawings, Feasibility Study, Comprehensive photos as well as list of supplies and materials needed for initial construction process. The project is currently in Phase 1 Construction. In late February, members of the community collected ten bags of sand to be used in the building project.

Update 3. Development of Key Project Documentation

To effectively recruit qualified contractors and personnel for the construction of the Vocational Training Center, ISL team worked diligently in developing key documents to help us reach our milestones and goals. Working with our volunteers and board leadership, we developed the following:

*Vocational Training Center Press Release
*Vocational Training Center One Pager

*Vocational Training Center Concept Note

*Vocational Training Center Project Scope,

*Vocational Training Center Fundraising Proposal

*Vocational Training Center Fundraising Game Plan

*Vocational Training Center Media Presentation

Highlights:

- The development process incorporated feedback from board members, ISL volunteers in Sierra Leone, established partners and other similar NGO leaders.

- The Press Release was submitted to several local and international media outlets to promote the project and garner more financial support.

- The project scope has been provided to potential architect, surveyor and construction engineer

-The Media PowerPoint has been presented virtually as part of fundraising efforts.

-The Fundraising Game plan and proposal have been a guide for our team to reach milestones.

Update 4. Hosted Community Event with the Women Farmers:
Annual Christmas Day of Hope

ISL hosted its third annual Christmas Day of Hope with the Foindu Village community in February 2025. It’s important to note the 39 women farmers were a huge part of the planning, coordinating cooking, decorating, organizing, program activities, and more! This annual event brings so much hope to the village and has further ignited the women farmers in anticipation of their Vocational training center.

This outreach visit was significant, bringing together community members and stakeholders to plan the celebration. During this visit, we engaged with local women farmers to discuss their experiences and the impact of our programs. The visit also highlighted ongoing efforts to support these women, including resources available through the Hub and the importance of their participation in various farming activities.

Event Highlights:

- Families enjoyed a delicious Christmas meal and fresh drinking water, a rare treat that brought warmth and gratitude.

- A spelling bee competition ignited excitement among children, boosting their confidence and academic growth.

- The event came alive with music and cultural performances, showcasing the village’s rich heritage while uniting young and old in celebration.

- Distributed hygiene kits, school supplies, clothing, shoes for roughly 500 people, restoring hope and dignity to those in need. The women farmers were included in the distribution of items.

- Distributed 150 story books and 250+ educational supplies to children and teachers from the primary school in the village – most of these are children of the women will be beneficiaries from the Vocational Training center, ultimately becoming small business owners.

Event Impact to Project:

The Christmas Day of Hope laid the foundation for Foindu Village’s first-ever Community Vocational Skills Center. As a highlight to the Christmas day of Hope outreach, our team held a special Groundbreaking ceremony with the leaders of the village where we stood proudly on the land of the future Impact Vocational Training Center. It was a beautiful moment to stand on this land with the African sun beaming down on us with a reminder that we are bringing HOPE to this community in a great way!

The entire village is excited because the center will provide:

- Vocational training for women & youth

- Education & entrepreneurship programs

- A sustainable path to financial independence

Update 5. Established two new Project Partners

Impact Sierra Leone is so excited to welcome new partners for our Vocational Training Center Building Project. In December we officially became partners with two amazing woman led businesses: 1) Pearl Health Foundation led by Dr. Natasha Weems who will assist in financial support and marketing support; 2) Strategic Collaboration Network (SCN) led by Catherine Trotter who is providing financial support and social media support.

Update 6. Established New Project Intern (Virtual)

In November 2025, ISL welcomed its first intern, Ms. Oluwatobiloba Monisola Kehinde who is providing support virtually. As our virtual intern, she has provided critical administrative and operational support to our team, playing a vital role in the Vocational Training Center project. In her role, she has been instrumental in ensuring smooth operations, effective communication, and successful execution of the organization's initiatives aimed at reducing poverty and empowering communities in Sierra Leone.She ensures smooth operations and effective communication with the CEO and team. She focuses on organization, marketing support, and assisting in initiatives that empower communities. She is actively involved in designing marketing materials, including banners and visually compelling campaign images, to enhance the visibility and impact of the Vocational Training Center project. To help promote the story, the journey, and the impact of the women farmers that are going to benefit from this project, ISL team designed a beautiful banner for the Women’s Agribusiness Collective

Recent Project Achievements:

*Groundbreaking ceremony with key stakeholders at the future site
*Identified Project Manager, Construction Engineer, Established Project Timeline with milestones
*Developed ONE PAGER, PROJECT SCOPE, Concept Note, and Fundraising Plan

*Established campaign name: Together We Build to Harvest Hope
*One on one engagement with the women farmers (project beneficiaries)

Next Steps:

Site Visit in March
Our team are actively working together to complete Phase 1of the Construction building project by mid- April 2025. During the month of March, we plan on conducting a Site visit with the key stakeholders to include ISL Country Director (Leadership), Construction Engineer, Surveyor, Project Manager, and the Section Chief of the village.

Phase 1 Completion

To kickstart the building activities, our team will complete the following documents in Phase 1 plans: complete architectural designs (3D), survey report, project plans, and feasibility study. Begin purchasing building materials and begin initial construction.

Upcoming Project Events

*We have several virtual events planned with our partners to gain support from business owners and attract supporters to our GlobalGiving project

*For Women’s International Day in March, we are hosting a Gara Fabric Learning Empowerment workshop with the women farmers in Foindu Village so they can begin skill learning.

Action items have been assigned to key players ensure accountability and progress on projects

Links:

• Here is a link to our website