Where We Serve
Sierra Leone
Background
Sierra Leone lies on the west coast of Africa bordered by Guinea, Liberia and the Atlantic Ocean. There are about sixteen ethnic groups in Sierra Leone, each with its own language and custom. The two largest and most influential are the Temne and the Mende. Although English is the language of instruction in schools and the official language in government administration, the Krio language (derived from English and several indigenous African languages) is the primary language of communication among Sierra Leone's different ethnic groups, and is spoken by 90% of the country's population.
The country achieved independence in 1961. Competition among rival groups finally opened into the Sierra Leone Civil War (1991 to 2002), which devastated the country. It left more than 50,000 people dead, much of the country's infrastructure destroyed, and over two million people displaced as refugees in neighboring countries.
Facts About Sierra Leone
-
![]()
Sierra Leone Ranks 185 out of 193 countries in the Human Development Index.
May 2025
-
![]()
A child born now can expect to finish 9.6 years of school by their 18th birthday, when adjusted this is the equivalent of completing 4.9 years elsewhere.
October 2022
-
![]()
1 in 10 children die before they reach the age of 5.
October 2022
-
![]()
60.27% of women aged 25-29 reported experiencing at least one form of Gender Based Violence with emotional and physical violence being the highest reported.
February 2025
-
![]()
Approximately 77% of the country is Muslim, 20% is Christian, and 3% follow a traditional religion.
October 2022
-
![]()
Approximately 83% of girls and women aged 15-49 years old have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM).
September 2021
-
![]()
Sierra Leone has an adolescent fertility rate of 107 per 1000 live births. This is complimented by about 40% of girls getting married before the age of 18.
November 2022
-
![During the brutal civil war over 50,000 people were killed and an estimated 27,000 were disabled or amputated.]()
During the brutal civil war over 50,000 people were killed and an estimated 27,000 were disabled or amputated.
July 2014
-
![]()
The current life expectancy is 55 years of age.
October 2022
-
![]()
Diseases related to water, sanitation, and hygiene are among the leading cause of morbidity accounting for about 20% of all deaths. In rural areas only about 42% have access to improved drinking water and only about 17% have access to improved sanitation.
September 2022
-
![]()
About 36% of children between the ages of 5 and 17 are involved in child labor.
February 2022
-
![]()
The GNI per capita is about 779 USD.
December 2024
The first community we began working in was the village of Makama which is in Makeni, Sierra Leone. Partnering with the people in this community, we first built a church. School started in that church, and later we built a school so that individual classrooms could provide a better environment for children to learn. Currently just under 550 students attend this school and receive free education and one meal a day. We have about 250 girls and about 300 boys apart of the school from Nursery 1 through Class 6. We also built a small medical clinic in the school building where our Bridge students, teachers and family members can visit and get free medical care. Child sponsorship allows us to provide this education and food as well as help out with school supplies for these students.
Makama
Makambo is a small village in Sierra Leone near Makeni. New Life Fellowship in Graham, Washington and Soma Communities in Tacoma, Washington joined together to build a small school and support a church in Makambo named Soma Communities. They also added a sanitation system that includes a well, and several bathrooms.
The pastor's name is George. There are 10 teachers for just over 550 students in the school. We have recently added on to the school building and doubled it's size allowing for more children to go to school in a good learning environment. Our school population consists of about 300 girls and 250 boys from Nursery 1 through Class 6. Due to the deteriorating walls in the old church, it was torn down and our new church has been built to serve the community
Makambo
Ropolon Village has been a part of The Bridge for many years. The church previously met in a borrowed classroom. They have been moved many times in their years, but under the strong leadership of Pastor Pious they came together on their own and built a temporary structure on borrowed land. That structure allowed them to meet as a church for two years until the land owner wanted his land back. So the church came together and after selling some belongings, they had enough money to buy some land. When the congregation at Christ’s Church in Federal Way, Washington heard about this, they came together and raised funds so we could build them their permanent structure (using our Dwell Earth bricks!). This church hosts meetings in it nearly every day of the week and has built strong connections in the community. When the river by the church floods, our congregation will walk many extra miles to still make it to church!
Ropolon
Rosint is a village on the outskirts of Makeni. There was a small school in this village that was struggling to continue. The Bridge has now adopted this community and built them a church near the school that will also be used for additional classrooms. The land is beautiful in this area and several farming projects have been started in the area to help the pastor and other church members in the community. We have a remote dental clinic that takes place in the church building one day a week for the surrounding highly rural communities. Our medical team travels to the church every other month to facilitate a remote medical clinic to serve those who often go without.
Rosint
Masuba village is on the outskirts of Makeni. It is an area where one of The Bridge pastors has planted a church and with his own initiative and the help of those in the village. They worked together to acquire land and build a temporary structure. After a couple of years The Bridge was able to help them build a permanent structure so the church can grow and the building will last through the monsoon season. They now have frequent meetings, including a church service every Sunday, and a vibrant and active youth group.
Masuba
Rogboro is our newest village to plant a church. The Bridge pastors prayed for months as they sought God’s will for His next church. They then began with sharing The Story of God to the people of the village. After months of gathering it was determined that this village was ready for a new church! A celebration was held and over 100 people were baptized. Turning Point church just recently finished construction and is holding services every week! Our Women’s ministry has a small farming project out in this village that focuses mainly on vegetables like cucumbers!