We work with governments and health districts in Sierra Leone and across Africa to deliver vital charity work and improve health care services for everyone.
Sightsavers in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone, in Western Africa, has a population of more than eight million people.
The majority of people in Sierra Leone are employed in agricultural work and live outside urban areas. About 60% of people live below the poverty line, making it one of the world’s poorest countries.
Access to health care and education is gradually improving as the country rebuilds vital infrastructure and public services that were destroyed during the 10-year civil war. In 2010, free health care for pregnant women, new mothers and young children was introduced to reduce the high levels of maternal mortality.
Investment in education and employment programmes is also ensuring that more opportunities are open to young people, particularly women and people with disabilities, who are often marginalised in society.
Sierra Leone facts
- Population: 8.5 million
- Capital: Freetown
- Official language: English
- Human development index (HDI) ranking: 181 (low)
58% of blindness in Sierra Leone is treatable
River blindness is most prevalent in rural areas of the country
A remote village with a dusty road running through it. There are lush green palm trees in the background.
What challenges do people face in Sierra Leone, and how can these be addressed?
Eye care
In Sierra Leone there are only six ophthalmologists to treat the population of the entire country.
Millions of people are unable to access eye care services because of a lack of qualified staff and vital resources. Sightsavers’ charity work in Sierra Leone focuses on tackling the causes of avoidable blindness, such as cataracts and refractive error.
Infectious diseases
River blindness is a problem in 12 of the 14 health districts in Sierra Leone.
People in Sierra Leone are at a very high risk of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which can cause illness and disability. Our work on NTDs in the country focuses on treating and preventing river blindness and lymphatic filariasis.
Inclusion and equality
Not everyone in Sierra Leone can claim their rights.
People with disabilities and women often face stigma and discrimination in society. Our charity work on disability rights in Sierra Leone focuses on improving everyone’s access to health care and education.
Dr Jalikatu smiles while wearing her surgical coat.
“We’re doing free surgical or clinical outreaches aimed at women and girls, in particular, to get them to come to the hospital.”
Dr Jalikatu is based at Connaught Hospital in Freetown
How you can help
Our charity work in Sierra Leone is helping to transform people’s lives, but there’s still more we need to do.
With your support, we want to improve access to eye care services, protect people from diseases like river blindness and ensure everyone, particularly women and girls, can learn, earn and thrive. To do this, we need your help.
Charity donations, legacies, corporate partnerships and gifts from charitable foundations are a vital source of funding for our programmes in Sierra Leone. We also welcome opportunities to work in partnership with governments, institutions and development organisations.
Contact us: If you have any questions about our work in Sierra Leone, would like more details about our programmes or wish to discuss ways you can donate or support us, email [email protected]
More from Sierra Leone
Sightsavers-trained doctor appointed deputy minister of health in Sierra Leone
Dr Jalikatu Mustapha trained with Sightsavers between 2012 and 2016, becoming the only female ophthalmologist in the country.
August 2023
Sightsavers partnership aims to improve global access to eye care
Sightsavers has partnered with the Fred Hollows Foundation and PlenOptika to pilot a new vision care strategy that aims to revolutionise eye care worldwide.
June 2023
“I feel good whenever I go to school”
Saio has a physical disability that affects her feet and makes walking difficult, meaning she was missing out on a lot of her education. A Sightsavers-supported inclusive education project has provided transport to take her to school and training for her teachers, which has made a huge difference.
“As a woman, you’re always trying to prove that you belong”
Meet Dr Jalikatu, who’s the only female ophthalmologist in Sierra Leone and the head of the national eye care programme.
Eye care and COVID-19: what we’ve learned during the pandemic
Throughout the pandemic, our priority has been to restart our work quickly and safely. Sightsavers staff reveal our how eye care programmes have evolved in the past 18 months.
October 2021
World’s largest trachoma surveys reach 50th country
Sierra Leone has become the 50th country to be surveyed for trachoma as part of the initiative, with one person being examined for trachoma every 26 seconds since the surveys began in 2012.
July 2021
Discover where Sightsavers works in Africa and Asia
Where we work