Self-help Projects: Mobeke Community, Sierra Leone

Aim: I'm Princess Manly-Spain. I'm now aged 90 and trying to raise funds for community projects in Mobeke, Freetown that my church supports

I grew up in the beautiful city of Freetown, capital of Sierra Leone, which was founded in the 18th century for the resettlement of Africans in the US & UK escaping the horrors of slavery. Learn more about its fascinating & inspiring  history here. 

Sierra Leone is blessed with rich natural and mineral resources and its beaches are among the world’s most beautiful. Due to its strategic geographical importance and wealth of resources, Sierra Leone was colonised by the British from 1808-1961. 

So what went wrong?

Sadly, after independence, competition over minerals extraction, particularly diamonds, led to corruption & conflict, resulting in a brutal civil war (1999-2002). Infrastructure was destroyed  & ‘brain-drain’ has left a population  without resources to cope with post-war trauma.  During the war, thousands fled to Freetown where they live in over-crowded informal settlements that lack basic sanitation and water infrastructure. This meant the country was ill-equipped to deal with the Ebola outbreak (2014-2016). Overpopulation has led to deforestation and unregulated construction: in 2017 a horrific landslide killed 1,100 people.  Despite everything they have been through, Sierra Leoneans remain friendly and optimistic, but the truth is that often  have little more than their faith to cling to.

What the Princess Assembly is doing to help

A couple of years ago, I got in touch with the Reverend Maria Mbawa, a wonderful woman and a leading member of the community in Mobeke, on the outskirts of Freetown. Maria oversaw the construction of a small church which I funded. In the short time since the Princess Assembly church was started, Maria and other members of the community have worked hard on projects that bring hope to the Mobeke community. Here are some examples.

Care package for the elderly 

75 per cent of Sierra Leone's population is under age 35. Unemployment and economic stagnation mean that they are simply not able to support their elders the way they once would. Old people need everything from rice (our staple food) to soap and sugar. The church does its best to provide these items for them in the form of care packages. The church also works with partner organisations like the Dorwontony Organization for the Aged to provide materials like fabric so that they can use their crafting skills to supplement their care packages and help them regain their self-esteem.

Fellowship: Women 

The resilience of the women of Mobeke is truly inspiring. Given obstacles they face, it's amazing that they survive. But surviving isn't enough - women and girls need to thrive! To help them  provide for their families and themselves, we are starting a market garden on land the church provides. War & poverty lead to increased rates of sexual violence & teen pregnancy. The women's fellowship aims to be a safe space so that women can connect with each other in a way that helps them gain autonomy over their own bodies.

Fellowship: Men

Similarly, the men's fellowship also be workin agricultural projects. Among its members are men like Pastor Samuel Alpha Sesay. Disabled by polio at age two, helped set up Sierra Leone's Polio Victims' Association and, together with other men congregants is particularly passionate abut education: they would like to set up a school in the local area and they also organise film nights and band practice.

Activities for Children & Young People

Kids in Mobeke currenttly have to walk for up to two hours and again in the afternoon to attend school: no mean feat under the blazing sun in the dry season and through muddy quagmires in the wet season. The church already organises extra-curricular activities but the community's children would be far better served by having a school locally. We recognise that our school will need furniture, equipment and staff. This is a huge challenge but we've already been able to provide a generator and projector for film nights so with your help we can do more!

PLEASE NOTE: I AM 90 YRS OLD AND NOT TECH-SAVVY, THEREFORE MY DAUGHTER CHARINE IS MANAGING THIS FUND-RAISER ON MY BEHALF.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 10th August 2025 at 4:04pm