Thanks to the safe space program, I have regained my self-confidence and my motivation to go back to school. Like every other young woman, I can now comfortably represent myself in any space.
These are the words of Mary, a vibrant 15-year-old girl from Kamabai community in Sierra Leone. Today, she is in school and an advocate for other young girls. But just a year ago, her reality looked completely different.
Mary’s transformation is part of a much larger wave of change across Sierra Leone. Funded by UK Aid Match, the Power Up project by Restless Development has delivered life-changing interventions for adolescent girls
Mary with her mentor at the safe space.The Challenge Before the Intervention
At age 13, Mary’s life changed overnight. A sudden, severe illness left her physically impaired. Her parents spent everything they had on her medical bills, but the challenges didn’t stop when the illness receded. Mary now needed a crutch to walk. Shaken by her new reality, she was too self-conscious to return to school or play with her friends. The situation worsened when some of her peers began mimicking the way she walked and taunting her in the community.
Overwhelmed by the stigma, Mary decided to stay hidden. Believing that education was no longer an option for her, her self-worth and motivation vanished.
Then came a turning point. In 2023, a mentor from Restless Development’s Power Up project met Mary during a community mapping exercise. Though hesitant, Mary figured she had nothing left to lose and agreed to attend a local safe space session.
The warmth she experienced took her by surprise. While the first week was difficult, Mary kept to herself, deeply shy; the mentors refused to let her fade into the background. They cheered her on, created inclusive ways for her to participate, and celebrated every bit of effort she made.
Slowly, the walls came down. By the end of her first year, Mary had transformed into one of the most active participants in the group. The social barriers that had kept her isolated were completely gone, replaced by a fierce determination to resume her education.
Impact of The Power Up Project in 17 Communities in Sierra Leone Includes:
Formal Education: 1261 girls were successfully transitioned from safe spaces back into formal schooling, including Mary; they received direct re-enrollment support.
Livelihood Skills: 425 adolescent girls completed training in beadwork and craft-making, learning to produce and sell slippers, earrings, and accessories to boost their financial independence.
Household Resilience: To ensure long-term sustainability, the project distributed 17 groundnut grinders and 17 cassava leaf processing machines to girls across the Bombali and Moyamba districts, providing families with the practical tools needed to generate income and build economic stability.
‘The ‘Power Up’ project, made possible with funding from the UK government and Restless Development’s supporters through UK Aid Match, enabled Mary to return to formal education. Today, she is thriving in Junior Secondary School 2 (JSS2) and looking ahead to a bright, independent future.’
