In January, Healey International Relief Foundation (HIRF), through a grant funded by Comic Relief to Uman Tok, hosted a transformative, week-long capacity-strengthening workshop for three inspiring women-led organizations in Sierra Leone.
The workshop was designed to equip these organizations with the tools, strategies, and skills they need to amplify their impact and ensure long-term sustainability.
Empowering Women Leaders
The three participating organizations–Uman Tok, Every Woman Sierra Leone and Berny’s Hope Foundation–are all dedicated to supporting women and girls in Sierra Leone.
Their leaders and teams work tirelessly to advocate for gender justice, economic empowerment, safeguarding of women and children and social equity.
“Healey International Relief Foundation is proud to support these remarkable organizations and is deeply grateful to Comic Relief for sharing our commitment to strengthening small organizations doing great and much-needed work to drive meaningful change,” noted HIRF Executive Director Josephine Garnem.
Building Stronger Organizations
Expert facilitators Ms. Omega Tawonezvi and Alfred Halim (Esq.) led the workshop, guiding participants through essential aspects of organizational development, including:
– NGO Registration and Compliance
– Strategic Planning & Governance – Clarifying team roles, aligning goals, and strengthening accountability frameworks.
– Mission & Vision Crafting – Refining purpose statements and developing actionable long and short-term strategies.
– Human Resource Management
– Social Media & Ethical Communication – Creating engaging content with Canva, drafting privacy and ethical policies, and ensuring data protection to build community trust.
“The facilitators were highly engaging and knowledgeable, making the learning experience both enjoyable and insightful. I learned so much in this one week. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity,” said Mariama Mbaimba, Executive Director of Every Woman Sierra Leone.
Adel Karim Dandas, Country Director of Berny’s Hope Foundation, added, “The workshop exceeded my expectations, providing valuable knowledge and practical skills that I can confidently apply in my work.”
“I feel more confident after attending this workshop, and I look forward to applying what I’ve learned to improve my work,” shared Gibrill Martin Sheku Conteh, Volunteer at Uman Tok.
Strengthening Governance & Leadership
A key focus of the workshop was governance best practices, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and policy consistency to build resilient, well-structured organizations. Participants also honed their storytelling and pitching skills, ensuring they can effectively communicate their mission to potential partners and stakeholders.
Beyond technical skills, the workshop fostered meaningful collaboration through team-building exercises and networking activities. These interactions created a strong sense of solidarity, paving the way for future partnerships and collective action.
“The workshop and topics covered will be instrumental in helping us achieve our long-term goals. We are excited for the upcoming training sessions, which will further enhance our capacity and impact,” shared Juliet Rhoman, Executive Director Uman Tok.
The Road Ahead: EmpowerHER Project
With Comic Relief’s three-year funding (October 2024 – October 2027) for the EmpowerHER Project, this workshop is just the beginning. Additional capacity-building initiatives will continue to support and uplift women-led organizations, ensuring their long-term success and impact.
To follow the journey and witness the transformation, stay connected with Healey International Relief Foundation, Uman Tok, Berny’s Hope Foundation, and Every Woman Sierra Leone on social media.
