The 2YL Freetown Team Navigates Conflict, Drives Policy Change and Extends Hope
~ Divine Timing Averts Crisis: The 2 Young Lives team in Freetown conducted a 14-day round trip, from May 12th to 26th, to 12 project sites, aiming to recruit mentees and engage stakeholders on program sustainability. In a pivotal decision, team manager Mangenda advocated altering their usual route, prioritizing Lengekoro over Punduru. The team agreed, departing Lengekoro a day before the town was ravaged by a violent land dispute, which claimed three lives and triggered military intervention. While the team avoided harm, the community remains displaced, disrupting livelihoods and farming. Prayers for peace and stability continue as families await their return.
~ Policy Shift: From Stigma to Support: During recruitment efforts, the Youth Chairman highlighted the transformative impacts of 2 Young Lives. Previously, pregnant girls faced expulsion from school and homes, often forced into marriage or isolation. A tragic example underscored the stakes: a girl fatally self-medicated an abortion, fearing parental wrath. Today, the leaders inspired by mentorship success stories witnessed at Lifeline Nehemiah HQ, community leaders enacted a bylaw prohibiting parents from barring pregnant girls from education or the program. Resistance now incurs fines, paired with education on government policies and peer testimonials. “This program has reshaped our community’s conscience,” the Chairman emphasised.
~ Cross-Border Hope in Taiama: In Taiama, a pregnant teenager deported from Liberia after her caregiver discovered her pregnancy, and the father fled, she has found renewed hope through 2 Young Lives. Despite her ordeal, she plans to resume schooling post-delivery with mentor support, illustrating the program’s cross-border ripple effects.
~ Looking Ahead: While celebrating policy victories and individual resilience, the team faces challenges amid displacement in Lengekoro. Continued advocacy and peacebuilding remain critical to restore stability and sustain their vision for girls. The update underscores 2 Young Lives’ profound influence on societal norms and the lifesaving power of adaptable, community-driven interventions.
All these photos are of the newly-recruited mentees