Livelihood support for people with mental health issues
The project aims to sustainably increase the income of people with mental disorders/epilepsy and their caregivers and families through livelihoods provision and support. More specifically, 179 people with mental disorders/epilepsy and their caregivers that are organised in self-help groups will be supported in order for them to develop Income Generating Activities.They will be provided with basic financial management training, marketing skills, and record keeping. The members of the self-help groups will be assisted in establishing and maintaining Village Savings Loans Associations. In addition, training in self-help group management, decision making processes, advocacy and human rights monitoring will be dispensed.
Network4Africa is a registered Charity in the UK that works with communities in sub-Saharan Africa in the aftermath of conflict and genocide, helping forgotten survivors left behind by the world after the fighting stops and the disaster relief moves on.
News
Supporting people with mental health issues
31 August 2022
The project aims to sustainably increase the income of people with mental disorders and epilepsy (PMDE) and their caregivers and families through livelihoods provision and support.Four new projects approved in March 2021
1 June 2021
The Addax and Oryx Foundation granted funding for four new projects at its March Board meeting.Livelihood support for people with mental health issues
2 March 2023
The livelihoods project commenced in July 2021, building on the community mental health work that Network for Africa (N4A) and Conforti Community Aid Children Organisation Port Loko (Conforti) have done since 2018, across Bakeloko, Kasseh and Maforki chiefdoms. The livelihoods programme is being conducted for the 9 self-help groups (SHGs).
Testimonials
Type
Education / Community DevelopmentDuration
July 2021 - June 2024Location
Port Loko / Sierra LeoneWith whom
Network4Africa
Health Poverty Action
Website
Sierra Leone
Population
7.6 million (2017)
Per Capita Income
USD 510/year (2017)
Poverty rate *
53% (2011)
Literacy rate
32% (2016)
Human Development Index
184th out of 189 countries (2018)
Sierra Leone has made considerable progress since the end of the civil war in 2002, consolidating peace, democracy and improving development indicators. The Sierra Leone government has prioritised and implemented reforms aimed at reducing corruption, providing health care and improving transport, power and public health infrastructures. Despite these significant political and socio-economic achievements, infant and maternal mortality rates are among the worst in the world. Poverty is heavily concentrated in the rural and other urban areas around Freetown. Underemployment remains a challenge and is especially acute in rural areas, compounded by a high level of illiteracy. The Ebola outbreak in 2014 added immense pressure to already fragile health systems.
Sources: World Food Program, UNICEF, World Bank, 2016 Human Development Report, Human Development Indices and Indicators (2018 Statistical Update)
*The percentage of the population living below the national poverty line.