Replacing a cycle of despair with a cycle of hope and opportunity. Empowering victims of Gender-Based violence and Commercial Sex workers through our flagship program GIRLS SHALL RISE (GSR) in Sierra Leone.
From April 15 – April 27, 2021, about 10 students all beneficiaries of BLP’s GSR program completed Practicals as part of their Certificate program at Sierra Leone Opportunities Industrialization Centre (S.L.O.I.C) Campus in Makeni Northern Sierra Leone. Thanks to BLP Northern regional office for the support, monitoring and supervision which is key for the success of this program in Bombali and Western Area Rural Districts (BLPs two operational Districts in Sierra Leone). Most of BLP beneficiaries are enrolled in Home Management, Tailoring & Fashion Design, and fast food manufacture and packaging. All students are currently undergoing internships with different Businesses in the Makeni municipality to gain real time experience and skills to face the job or business world upon graduation later this year.
The principal of SLOIC Reverend John Sebeka reminded BLP beneficiaries about the limitless opportunities as their certificates from SLOIC can enable them apply as a teacher from Primary 1 to 3 as approved by the Minister of Higher and Technical Education in Sierra Leone. A certificate from SLOIC is your life saver, he reminded the students. Founded in 1976, SLOIC contributes to the Socio-economic development of Sierra Leone through vocational skills training, business management training.
Girls Shall Rise is a flagship program by Bright Light Projects with focus on providing educational support, skills training and advocacy for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) specifically violence against women and children, Commercial Sex workers, and other vulnerable girls and women.
BLPSL is working with Government line ministries, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender & Children Affairs, Ministry of Primary and Basic Education, Ministry of Higher and Technical Education, and other partners in the domain of Child Protective Services to find lasting help and support for victims of rape and sexual exploitation especially those resulting to unwanted pregnancies for young teenage girls.
