Africa

World Hope International works throughout Africa to combat human trafficking, extreme poverty, disease outbreaks, as well as food and water insecurity though various programs that address economic development, education, nutrition, health, clean water and sanitation, and agriculture.

Sierra Leone

World Hope International has led health, safety, nutrition, education and economic development programs in Sierra Leone since 1997. Its initiatives help empower the vulnerable and exploited communities that were created during the country’s brutal 11-year civil war.

WHI’s work in Sierra Leone began with war and food relief programs in partnership with The Wesleyan Church but quickly expanded to include initiatives that address the country’s stagnant economic growth, crippled infrastructure and poor health and education resources. It’s grassroots development and aid programs include:

• Human Trafficking and Sexual Violence Prevention: Provides 24-hour, year-round emergency care and recovery services for survivors of sexual violence through the World Hope International Trafficking in Persons Recovery Center. Additionally, public education and outreach to at-risk populations are core to WHI’s human trafficking and sexual violence prevention initiatives..
• Agricultural Initiatives: Boosts agricultural sustainability and food security. Through Affordable Greenhouses, Village Partnerships and an extensive Outgrowers Project for pineapple and mango cultivation, WHI is able to help over 5000 small holder farmers gain access to resources and technologies that improve agricultural productivity and maximize profits.
• Water and Sanitation Program: Alleviates the burden of dirty water through training in well drilling and maintenance, latrine construction, and community and school education around hygiene and sanitation practices. WHI has constructed more than 270 borehole drilled water wells in Sierra Leone since 2005. In late 2015 WHI met and exceeded a campaign goal to raise funds to build 55 wells in 55 schools, which are planned for completion in 2016.  
• Global Health and Childhood Educational Resources: Improves public health through quality wellness and childhood education resources, including a children’s scholarship fund, nutrition screenings, and community counseling around HIV/AIDS and the benefits of breastfeeding.
• Greenhouses Revolutionizing Output (GRO) Program: WHI partnered with Penn State University to bring this innovative agricultural project to the forefront in Sierra Leone under a grant from United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The greenhouses are portable, expandable, cost less than $500 and can be constructed in just two days - a stark difference from conventional small-scale greenhouses that are expensive, high-maintenance and difficult to construct. These greenhouses provide a more controlled environment for agriculture, reduce water consumption and ensure crop production despite seasonal fluctuations in weather. 
• Ebola Response: Continues to utilized WHI’s expansive network of rural communities to help rebuild the country at the local level after the outbreak. During the outbreak WHI partnered with The Wesleyan Church, the Ministry of Health, and many global granting organizations such as UNICEF, UKAID, and the CDC, to train health care workers, retrofit medical facilities, build Community Care Centers, manage infection control processes, provide ambulance and supply transportation services, assist with food and income security, and educate the public to address and prevent further spread of Ebola in West Africa. WHI’s Ebola work was vast and ever changing to keep up with the country’s needs