Impact Vocational Training Centerfor Women Farmers

Overview

The Impact Vocational Skills Training Center: A Future in the Making At the heart of our current infrastructure push lies the construction of the Impact Vocational Skills Training Center—a project rooted in economic empowerment and long-term change.

This center is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a lifeline for women, youth, and vulnerable community members, providing:

• Hands-on training in fashion design, agriculture, and trades to help people start businesses and generate income.

• Safe, accessible education spaces for those who have aged out or dropped out of traditional schools.

• Workshops and mentorship programs are designed to build confidence, leadership, and employable skills.

Impact Sierra Leone (ISL) in partnership with the Foindu Village community is building a Vocational Training center with a target completion by December 2025. The Agribusiness vocational training center for women farmers will make significant strides in supporting and empowering women in agriculture. Through bricks, skills, healing, and partnership, the women of Foindu are transforming their lives—and we are simply helping to hold the space.

The vocational training center will be a state-of-the-art “Impact Women’s Vocational Center” as the first phase of a comprehensive four-part development plan for an Agribusiness Hub. A cohort of 40 women farmers have been identified as the vocational center’s initial participants. Under the direction of certified instructors, they will learn essential skills to foster economic independence, community building and creativity. These skills include blending traditional and modern agricultural practices, learning modern agribusiness practices, sewing, small business management, entrepreneurship, fashion design, jewelry making, arts/crafts, culinary arts, traditional and digital literacy. “Our mission is to empower women as the cornerstone of sustainable development in Sierra Leone,” said Dr. Adama Kalokoh, Executive Director of ISL. “This center is more than a facility; it’s a bridge to economic empowerment and a brighter future for women who are vital to progress in their communities.”

Update 1.Selected Morgantech Engineering and Construction company as the official contractors for our building project

A major milestone for our project was the selection of a reputable construction company in Sierra Leone, West Africa who will be responsible for the complete construction of the Impact Vocational Training Center. In fulfillment of our commitment from the last report, Morgan Tech Construction Company has been appointed as the lead contractor and is currently managing the early phases of construction. Their presence on-site signals a tangible shift from concept to reality. But what’s rising from the ground is more than brick and mortar—it’s the infrastructure of equity.

The lead Engineer is Mohamed Morgan Kamara and the company is a registered business in Sierra Leone. During the month of April, the lead engineer attended the site visit, obtained land measurement details and provided concrete architectural drawings based on our project scope details. As a team, we agreed on the center being a two-level structure with ten classrooms, full-service restrooms, storage facilities, handicap access, staff rooms and even an outside area for gardening/planting. The engineer designed several design plans. Included below is the Ground Floor plan as well as the Signpost that will soon be installed at the site of the building project.

Update 2. Conducted Site Visit in April

On April 5th, 2025, Impact Sierra Leone launched Phase 1 of the Impact Vocational Training Center for women farmers with a full-day site visitation and community engagement. This important milestone involved key participants, including:

•The site construction engineer and surveyor

•Members of the Women’s Agribusiness Collective (40 total)

•ISL volunteers and leadership •Local clinic staff

•Village leaders and other community stakeholders

Event Highlights:

The event featured the presentation of architectural layout designs, a walk-through of the designated building site, and a sensitization session to share the project’s objectives, impact goals, and upcoming construction phases with the community. The engineer and site surveyor captured land measurements for the building and soil samples for the foundation plans.

Empowerment posters were designed for the women as an added feature along with a lot of cultural singing. Refreshments were provided for all attendees prepared by the women farmers. The women farmers of Foindu Village are eager and excited—ready to embrace this opportunity to transform their futures through skill and craftsmanship. 

Update 3. Launched Threads of Impact VIP Purpose Mixers to attract business owners in the Diaspora to support the Impact Vocational Training Center

To extend our reach in the Diaspora, our organization will be hosting several intimate VIP Purpose Mixers & to create global momentum for our project. As bricks go up, so does our momentum. In May 2025, we launched the first edition of Threads of Impact: VIP Purpose Mixer, held on May 17th. This exclusive event brought together members of the African Diaspora, cultural influencers, philanthropists, and impact investors to experience the story of Impact Sierra Leone up close.

The goal was to shift from distant support to proximity-based advocacy—what we call impact surveillance. The response was powerful, and the impact continued to ripple.

During the Threads of Impact events, attendees gained deeper insight into each class that will be taught at the Vocational Skills Center—ranging from tailoring and hairdressing to farming and literacy. These conversations didn’t just inform they sparked collaboration. Guests shared their perspectives, offered possible solutions, and even pledged resources to help us meet supply needs. It was a meaningful moment that marked a big step forward in engaging the diaspora, not just as supporters, but as active contributors to the center’s growth and long-term sustainability.

Event Highlights:

This event was hosted in joint with one of our official partners, the Strategic Consulting Network, LLC at their Columbia Maryland office in an intimate setting. Attendees enjoyed cultural cuisine from Sierra Leone, cultural music, and cultural exchange connected to our Impact Vocational Training Center building project. This is the first of many purposeful gatherings in person we will host with amazing supporters within the local DMV area to raise awareness about this project.

Attendees were able to learn firsthand about the Impact Vocational Center and its potential to transform the lives of many women in Northern Sierra Leone. The CEO of ISL presented many marketing materials designed for the building project as well as highlights of the beneficiaries in the village.

As an added feature, the CEO debuted her new book entitled, “Crown of Victory” which highlights the culture of Sierra Leone. Proceeds of the book will support Impact Sierra Leone organization projects and initiatives. The CEO also introduced the new program at ISL called the “Champion of Impact”.

Attendees pledged to become Champion of Impact members and to give their financial and moral support towards the building project. Encouraged by this success, we are gearing up for the second Purpose Mixer, scheduled for July 26th, 2025. This upcoming gathering will bring even more purpose-aligned partners into the circle—deepening their understanding and commitment to our cause. 

Update 4. Launched a New Program called “Champion of Impact

We created the Champion of Impact program to sustain our growing movement of supporters and as our call to action for individuals ready to be at the forefront of change. It’s an opportunity to join a dedicated group working collaboratively to support ISL's mission, especially our building project. This program ensures that anyone, anywhere can stand shoulder to shoulder with the women of Foindu. Already, we’ve seen a rise in partnerships and volunteer interest through this new model. To sustain this growing movement, we recently launched the Champions of Impact Program—a bold call for global citizens to take active roles in this journey. Champions can engage in three ways:

• Champion of Impact: Volunteers

• Champion of Impact: Donors

• Dual Champion of Impact

Update 5. Enhanced Website & Developed Robust Market Materials for Project

To help reach more supporters and to tell our amazing story of impact, we have made serveal process improvements within our organization to include:

- Website update and rebranding

- CHAMPION OF IMPACTS One Pagers (Dual, Volunteer, Donor)

- Brochures (ISL brochure, Champion of impact)

- Vocational Training Center One pagers (11)

- Threads of Impact posters - QR Codes (Donation, Website)

- Thank you Postcards

- Impact Sierra Leone Media Kit

- Impact Sierra Leone Sponsor Packet

- Google Form link to join preferred Champion of impact.

- Project Support Fliers

- Video Reels for Project Promotion

Update 7. Finalized the Vocational Training Courses for the Center

ISL and team have selected eleven training courses that will be offered at the Impact Vocational Training center including a Wellness Course. ISL by including mental wellness as a foundation, we help heal the whole woman as they learn valuable skills. We know that empowerment isn’t just externality, it must also be internal. That’s why ISL is embedding mental wellness and emotional resilience into all our programming. From wellness workshops to counseling referrals, we are building a foundation not only for growth—but for healing. Because sustainability starts with a woman who is whole in mind, body, and spirit.

The classes included are: Fashion Design, Jewelry & BeadMaking, Culinary, etc,.

Update 8. Designed Signpost for the Installation at Project Site in the Village

ISL and team have selected eleven training courses that will be offered at the Impact Vocational Training center including a Wellness Course. ISL by including mental wellness as a foundation, we help heal the whole woman as they learn valuable skills. We know that empowerment isn’t just externality, it must also be internal. That’s why ISL is embedding mental wellness and emotional resilience into all our programming. From wellness workshops to counseling referrals, we are building a foundation not only for growth—but for healing. Because sustainability starts with a woman who is whole in mind, body, and spirit.

The Call to Build with Us

We are proud of how far we’ve come—but we are not yet where we need to be. The construction of the Impact Vocational Skills Training Center depends on ongoing funding, material support, and partnerships that believe in impact that lasts.

We invite:

Members of the diaspora ready to reconnect with purpose,

Organizations aligned with empowerment and education,

Individuals who believe skills are the foundation of freedom.

Now is the time to invest in infrastructure that empowers.

Our New and Improved Website is www.impactsierraleone.org

Recent Project Achievements:

*Site Visit ceremony with key stakeholders at the future site including official photos

*Identified Project Manager, Construction Engineer, Established Project Timeline with milestones

*Developed Sponsorship Presentation Packet, Marketing Promotion Materials to include brochure

Next Steps:

Phase 1 Completion

ISL team continues working to complete Phase 1 construction. Our next step is to purchase supplies to construct the foundation of the building. We aim to complete Phase 1 by the end of August 2025.

During the month of July, we plan on visiting the Construction site and installing the signpost. We will also deliver medical supplies and donations to the Women’s clinic where members of the Impact Womens Agribusiness Collective will benefit.

Upcoming Project Events

*Second edition of Threads of Impact VIP Purpose Mixers will take place on Saturday July 26, 2025. We will also participate in a private fundraising event sponsored by a long time supporter of Impact to raise funds for the project. Impact Sierra Leone will also participate in the GlobalGiving Bonus Day on July 16th.

Links:

• Impact Sierra Leone Website

• Global_Giving_Report_4_for_Vocational_TrainingISL_Final_Version.pdf (PDF)