u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003ePoverty in Sierra Leone is a complex issue shaped by history, geography, and ongoing social and economic challenges. Despite the nation’s natural beauty and cultural resilience, many communities continue to struggle with limited access to education, healthcare, and reliable infrastructure.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eIn this resource, we explore why Sierra Leone faces such widespread hardship, what child poverty in Sierra Leone looks like, and the ways we can work together to create lasting change.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eu003cstrongu003eA Glimpse Into Life in Sierra Leoneu003c/strongu003eu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eSierra Leone is a country known for its vibrant traditions, rich music, and strong community ties. Its landscapes range from lush green hills to pristine beaches, offering glimpses of a nation full of promise.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eFor many outsiders, the question often arises: u003cemu003eIs Sierra Leone a poor country?u003c/emu003e The answer becomes clear when looking at daily life. Behind this beauty lies a daily reality of hardship for many families. More than half the population of Sierra Leone lives in poverty, with many surviving on less than $2 per day (u003ca href=u0022https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000167839/downloadu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eWFP, 2025u003c/au003e).u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eThis level of poverty affects nearly every aspect of life. Parents struggle to provide food for their children, schools lack resources to deliver quality education, and communities face inadequate access to safe drinking water and healthcare services.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eThese conditions paint a stark contrast between the resilience of the people and the barriers they confront each day.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eu003cstrongu003eWhat Do the Numbers Really Say About Poverty in Sierra Leone?u003c/strongu003eu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eStatistics alone cannot capture the full picture of poverty in Sierra Leone. Each percentage point represents a family struggling to meet basic needs, a child missing school, or a parent unable to find steady work. Understanding these numbers helps us see the daily challenges that so many people face.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eNearly two-thirds of the population lives in povertyu003c/strongu003e. According to theu003ca href=u0022https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099444404222566873/pdf/IDU-3ecdefab-3490-461c-b67e-9e44d300fab6.pdfu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e World Banku003c/au003e, the national poverty rate in Sierra Leone was 65.2% in 2024. Due to ongoing inflation, economic stagnation, and global instability, this figure is projected to rise to 58.6% by 2025.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eMultidimensional poverty affects a majority of the country.u003c/strongu003e The u003ca href=u0022https://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/Country-Profiles/MPI2025/SLE.pdfu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003emost recent datau003c/au003e shows that an estimated u003cstrongu003e59.2%u003c/strongu003e of Sierra Leoneans experience multidimensional poverty, meaning they face multiple deprivations at once in areas such as u003cstrongu003ehealth, education, u003c/strongu003eand u003cstrongu003estandard of livingu003c/strongu003e; not just low income. This broader measure of hardship captures the complex challenges families face day to day, beyond simple income metrics.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eThe UNDP’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) provides another perspective. Instead of showing the percentage of people living in poverty, the MPI measures the intensity and breadth of deprivation across different areas of life. u003cstrongu003eSierra Leone’s MPI value is 0.293u003c/strongu003e (u003ca href=u0022https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/specific-country-data#/countries/SLEu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eUNDPu003c/au003e). The closer this number is to 1, the more severely people are deprived.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eHere is how people are affected across 10 weighted indicators:u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:list u002du002du003enu003cul class=u0022wp-block-listu0022u003eu003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003enu003cliu003eNutrition: 17.5%u003c/liu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003enu003cliu003eYears of schooling: 15.3%u003c/liu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003enu003cliu003eSchool attendance: 8.8%u003c/liu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003enu003cliu003eChild mortality: 5.5%u003c/liu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003enu003cliu003eCooking fuel: 11.2%u003c/liu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003enu003cliu003eHousing: 7.6%u003c/liu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003enu003cliu003eSanitation: 10.3%u003c/liu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003enu003cliu003eElectricity: 10.4%u003c/liu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003enu003cliu003eDrinking water: 6.8%u003c/liu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003enu003cliu003eAssets: 6.7%u003c/liu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003eu003c/ulu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:list u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eThese indicators, as defined under the UNDP’s MPI, should beu003cstrongu003e viewed together, not separately.u003c/strongu003e Each percentage represents how much a specific deprivation contributes to overall multidimensional poverty. When combined, they show how overlapping challenges in health, education, and living conditions compound poverty in Sierra Leone.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003ePoverty is worst in rural communitiesu003c/strongu003e. The divide between urban and rural life is staggering. Rural poverty rates are far higher than urban rates. About u003cstrongu003e80% of people in rural areas u003c/strongu003elive in poverty, compared with roughly u003cstrongu003e27% in urban areasu003c/strongu003e, based on the most recent estimates of income-based poverty disparities (u003ca href=u0022https://sierraleone.un.org/sites/default/files/2024-05/UNCT%20CCA%202023.pdfu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eUNCTu003c/au003e).  This rural disadvantage means limited opportunities and even fewer resources to break free from the cycle of poverty.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eWhat deprivation looks like in everyday life. Behind these figures are families living without essential services that much of the world takes for granted:u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:list u002du002du003enu003cul class=u0022wp-block-listu0022u003eu003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003enu003cliu003e87.2% of the population lacks access to basic sanitationu003c/liu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003enu003cliu003e68.7% of households have no electricityu003c/liu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:list-item u002du002du003enu003cliu003e33.8% of people lack access to safe drinking water (u003ca href=u0022https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099444404222566873/pdf/IDU-3ecdefab-3490-461c-b67e-9e44d300fab6.pdfu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eWorld Banku003c/au003e)u003c/liu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:list-item u002du002du003eu003c/ulu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:list u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eFor many, this means cooking meals over open fires that fill homes with smoke, walking miles each day to fetch water, or storing food without refrigeration. These daily struggles reveal what poverty in Sierra Leone truly looks like beyond the numbers.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eu003cstrongu003eWhy Is Sierra Leone in Poverty?u003c/strongu003eu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eWhen people ask whether Sierra Leone is a poor country, the answer lies in the many interconnected factors that drive hardship. Poverty in Sierra Leone does not come from a single cause. It is the result of interconnected challenges that affect health, education, livelihoods, and opportunities across the country. From struggling farmers to unemployed youth, and from systemic gender inequality to the absence of infrastructure, these barriers reinforce one another and keep families trapped in hardship. The following factors help explain why poverty persists today.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eu003cstrongu003eAgriculture and Food Insecurityu003c/strongu003eu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eAgriculture remains the backbone of Sierra Leone’s economy, providing livelihoods for the majority of families, particularly in rural areas. Yet, farming is largely subsistence-based and underdeveloped. Most smallholder farmers lack access to modern tools, irrigation systems, or storage facilities that could help them produce enough food year-round. Without these supports, even small climate shocks, such as a few weeks of heavy rain or drought, can devastate crops and wipe out a family’s income for an entire season.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eThe result is widespread food insecurity. According to theu003ca href=u0022https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000167839/downloadu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e WFPu003c/au003e, u003cstrongu003e77% of Sierra Leoneans were food insecureu003c/strongu003e in 2024, with u003cstrongu003e17% classified as severely food insecureu003c/strongu003e. Families often reduce meal sizes, skip meals entirely, or rely on less nutritious foods just to survive. Children in these households are especially vulnerable to malnutrition, which affects their growth, health, and ability to learn.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eReliance on imported staples like rice deepens this vulnerability. Sierra Leone imports a significant portion of its food, u003cstrongu003eleaving families exposed to global price shocksu003c/strongu003e. Even though international rice prices dipped slightly in 2025, local prices remain high, meaning food is still unaffordable for many. Until agricultural productivity improves, families will remain trapped in a cycle of scarcity and dependency.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eu003cstrongu003eEducation and Employment Gapsu003c/strongu003eu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eEducation is one of the most powerful tools to break the cycle of poverty, yet Sierra Leone continues to face deep gaps in both access and quality. Around u003cstrongu003e10% of the population lives in households where no adult has completed primary educationu003c/strongu003e (u003ca href=u0022https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099444404222566873/pdf/IDU-3ecdefab-3490-461c-b67e-9e44d300fab6.pdfu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eWorld Banku003c/au003e). This lack of foundational schooling among caregivers has generational consequences. Parents who struggle with literacy or numeracy are less able to support their children’s education, perpetuating a cycle where poverty and limited opportunity pass from one generation to the next.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eThese realities help answer the question of whether Sierra Leone is a poor country. Without education, opportunities remain scarce, and poverty continues from one generation to another.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eEven for children who attend school, resources are scarce. Many schoolsu003cstrongu003e lack textbooks, trained teachers, or even basic infrastructure like desks and safe classroomsu003c/strongu003e. This contributes to high dropout rates, especially in rural areas. Without consistent access to quality education, children grow up without the skills needed to secure stable employment.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eThe employment landscape is equally challenging. Formal job opportunities are limited, particularly outside of major cities. u003cstrongu003eYouth unemployment and underemployment remain persistently highu003c/strongu003e, leaving young people with few prospects. Many turn to informal work or low-paying agricultural labor, which does little to break the cycle of poverty. Until stronger connections are built between education and employment, families will continue to struggle.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eu003cstrongu003eGender Inequalityu003c/strongu003eu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eGender inequality remains a significant barrier to poverty reduction in Sierra Leone. The country’su003cstrongu003e Gender Inequality Index score is 0.566, ranking 152 out of 172 countries u003c/strongu003e(u003ca href=u0022https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/specific-country-data#/countries/SLEu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eUNDP, 2025u003c/au003e). This reflects deep disparities in education, health, and economic participation.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eGirls face steep challenges in accessing and completing education. Families facing financial hardship often prioritize boys’ schooling over girls’, leading to higher dropout rates for girls. Early marriage compounds the problem. u003cstrongu003eNearly 30% of girls are married before the age of 18 u003c/strongu003e(u003ca href=u0022https://data.unicef.org/country/sleu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eUNICEFu003c/au003e), which often forces them to leave school and start families at a young age. Without education, these young women have fewer opportunities to participate in the formal workforce, limiting their economic independence.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eWomen who do work are often confined to informal or low-paying jobs, such as petty trading or subsistence farming. They are u003cstrongu003eless likely to own land, have access to credit, or participate in decision-making at the household and community levelsu003c/strongu003e. This inequality keeps women economically dependent and limits the potential of half the population to contribute fully to national development. Addressing gender disparities is not just a matter of fairness; it is critical to reducing poverty as a whole.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eu003cstrongu003eInfrastructure, Health, and Climate Vulnerabilityu003c/strongu003eu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eThe lack of infrastructure in Sierra Leone is a major obstacle to development. Manyu003cstrongu003e rural communities are cut off by poor or nonexistent roadsu003c/strongu003e, making it difficult to reach markets, schools, or healthcare facilities. Without reliable transportation networks, farmers cannot sell their crops, children cannot attend school consistently, and families cannot access lifesaving medical care. Schools and clinics that do exist often suffer from inadequate facilities, leaving entire communities underserved.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eHealth outcomes reflect these challenges. u003cstrongu003eMalnutrition affects 26.2% of children under fiveu003c/strongu003e (u003ca href=u0022https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000167839/downloadu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eWFP, 2025u003c/au003e), leaving lasting effects on physical and cognitive development. Diseases like malaria remain widespread, and the country’s health system continues to recover from past crises such as the Ebola epidemic. Families often must walk long distances to reach clinics, and even then, medicine and trained staff may be unavailable.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eWhen asked if Sierra Leone is a poor country, the absence of strong infrastructure and healthcare provides part of the answer. These gaps keep families vulnerable, limit opportunity, and make recovery from setbacks extremely difficult.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eClimate vulnerability adds another layer of difficulty.u003cstrongu003e Sierra Leone is prone to flooding, landslides, and droughtsu003c/strongu003e, all of which destroy crops, homes, and livelihoods. These disasters disproportionately affect the rural poor, who have few resources to rebuild. As climate change intensifies, the risks of displacement, hunger, and disease outbreaks will only grow. Without stronger infrastructure and health systems, families will remain vulnerable to shocks that push them further into poverty.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eu003cstrongu003eHow Are Children Impacted the Most?u003c/strongu003eu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eChildren bear some of the heaviest burdens of poverty in Sierra Leone. Their formative years are shaped by hunger, limited schooling, and a lack of access to healthcare, setting them on difficult paths before they have the chance to thrive.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eAccording to theu003ca href=u0022https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099444404222566873/pdf/IDU-3ecdefab-3490-461c-b67e-9e44d300fab6.pdfu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e World Banku003c/au003e, u003cstrongu003e30.5% of poor people in Sierra Leone were children under the age of 15 in 2025u003c/strongu003e. This means nearly one in three of those living in poverty are children, highlighting how disproportionately hardship affects the youngest members of society.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eNutrition is one of the greatest challenges.u003cstrongu003e Around 26% of children under five are stuntedu003c/strongu003e, according tou003ca href=u0022https://data.unicef.org/country/sleu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e UNICEFu003c/au003e. Stunting results from chronic malnutrition and has lifelong impacts on physical growth, brain development, and school performance. Families facing food insecurity often struggle to provide children with enough meals, let alone the variety of nutrients needed for healthy growth.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eOpportunities for learning are also limited from the start. u003cstrongu003eOnly 12% of children in Sierra Leone attend early childhood education programsu003c/strongu003e (u003ca href=u0022https://data.unicef.org/country/sleu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eUNICEFu003c/au003e), leaving most without the foundation that would prepare them for primary school. This disadvantage compounds as children grow older. By the time they reach adolescence, many are already behind in their studies or out of school entirely.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003ePoverty also pushes children into the workforce. An estimatedu003cstrongu003e 25% of children are engaged in laboru003c/strongu003e, often helping families farm, fetch water, or sell goods in informal markets. These responsibilities keep children from focusing on education and perpetuate the cycle of poverty from one generation to the next.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eFor many children, education is a luxury. Hunger is daily. And access to care is not guaranteed. These realities underscore why child poverty in Sierra Leone is one of the most urgent challenges to address in the fight against poverty overall.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eu003cstrongu003eIs There Any Progress?u003c/strongu003eu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eDespite the many challenges Sierra Leone continues to face, there are clear signs of progress that offer hope for the future. Development has not been easy or uniform, but the country has achieved measurable gains over the past three decades.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eAccording to theu003ca href=u0022https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/specific-country-data#/countries/SLEu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e UNDPu003c/au003e, Sierra Leone’s Human Development Index (HDI)u003cstrongu003e improved from 0.313 in 1990 to 0.467 in 2023, a 49.2% increaseu003c/strongu003e. This reflects advances in life expectancy, education, and living standards. u003cstrongu003eLife expectancy alone has grown by 18.1 years during this periodu003c/strongu003e, meaning more children are surviving past childhood and adults are living longer, healthier lives.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eEducation is another area where progress is evident. Both expected years of schooling and average years of schooling have risen, reflecting greater access to classrooms and opportunities for learning. While gaps remain, especially for rural children and girls, the upward trend shows that investments in education are beginning to make a difference.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eFood security has also improved, though challenges remain. Theu003ca href=u0022https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000167839/downloadu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e WFPu003c/au003e reports that u003cstrongu003eoverall food insecurity fell from 80% to 77%u003c/strongu003e, and u003cstrongu003esevere food insecurity dropped even more sharply, from 28% to 17%u003c/strongu003e. These numbers show that fewer families are facing extreme hunger compared to recent years.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eProgress helps reshape the answer to the question of whether Sierra Leone is a poor country. While challenges persist, the steady gains in health, education, and food security prove that poverty does not define the nation’s future.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eStill, this progress is fragile. Inflation continues to push up the cost of basic goods, while inequality leaves rural and marginalized communities at a disadvantage. The threat of climate shocks and global instability also looms over these hard-won gains. Yet the improvements demonstrate that change is possible, and that with sustained support, Sierra Leone can continue moving toward a more hopeful future.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2 class=u0022wp-block-headingu0022u003eu003cstrongu003eHow Can We Help?u003c/strongu003eu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eAt u003ca href=u0022https://africanrelief.org/about-us/u0022u003eBread and Water for Africa®u003c/au003e, we believe that poverty in Sierra Leone can be overcome when children and families have access to the essentials they need to thrive. Our programs in Sierra Leone focus on child-centered solutions; from education and clean water to food security and healthcare. Designed to break cycles of poverty and create lasting change.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eIn fiscal year u003ca href=u0022https://africanrelief.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/BWA-FY-2025-Annual-Report.pdfu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e2025 aloneu003c/au003e, with the support of our donors and partners, we reached u003cstrongu003emore than 240,000 people across 11 countriesu003c/strongu003e, delivering healthcare services tou003cstrongu003e over 114,000 individualsu003c/strongu003e, expanding access to clean water for u003cstrongu003e70,300 community membersu003c/strongu003e, supportingu003cstrongu003e 32,500+ children and youthu003c/strongu003e through education programs, and providing daily school meals to children in underserved communities. These impacts represent real change on the ground: children receivingu003cstrongu003e medical careu003c/strongu003e, families gaining reliable access to u003cstrongu003eclean wateru003c/strongu003e, and students able to learn and thrive withu003cstrongu003e consistent mealsu003c/strongu003e andu003cstrongu003e educational support.u003c/strongu003eu003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eu003ca href=u0022https://africanrelief.org/news-and-blogsu0022u003eStories and newsu003c/au003e from the field illustrate what these programs mean in everyday life. In Sierra Leone, we have seen children return to school because they no longer have to spend their days searching for water, and families grow stronger as access to food and healthcare reduces the burden of survival. Each success story shows the direct impact of community-driven solutions.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eBut the need remains urgentu003c/strongu003e. Inflation, food shortages, and inequality still threaten progress. With your help, we can ensure that every child in Sierra Leone has a fair chance to grow up healthy, educated, and full of possibilities. If you are looking for meaningful ways to help, we invite you to support Sierra Leone by u003ca href=u0022https://africanrelief.org/donateu0022u003edonatingu003c/au003e, sharing our mission with others, or exploring ouru003ca href=u0022https://africanrelief.org/our-programsu0022u003e programsu003c/au003e to see the many ways we are working for change.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eTogether, we can make a lasting difference for children and families in Sierra Leone.u003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003enu003cpu003eu003c/pu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e