21/06/2025
Riètta’s Safe Home for Kids
Location: Lungi, Sierra Leone
Status: Self-sponsored initiative
1. Executive Summary
Riètta’s Safe Home for Kids is a self-funded home located in Lungi, Sierra Leone. We provide safe, temporary care for children who have been abandoned, neglected, or orphaned—and who have no one else to care for them.
Inspired by Christian values of compassion, dignity, and service, our mission is to prevent child abandonment by offering families a temporary alternative during times of crisis—with the goal of reuniting children with their parents or extended relatives whenever possible.
We exist to offer hope and stability in moments of crisis, providing children with a secure, nurturing environment while working closely with families to prepare for long-term reunification.
Our approach is guided by the belief that every child deserves to grow up with the love and support of a family, regardless of background or faith.
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2. Background and Need
In Sierra Leone, poverty, limited access to healthcare, and family instability often leave caregivers unable to provide consistent care for their children. As a result, many children are left vulnerable to abandonment, neglect, or separation from their families.
Government and community systems are often overstretched, and there are few options available for temporary child placement that prioritize reunification. Without such options, children risk growing up in institutional settings or being left on the streets.
There is a clear need for safe, short-term care solutions that not only protect children during crisis periods but also actively work toward returning them to their families or extended support networks.
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3. Objectives
• To provide temporary care in a safe, nurturing environment for children in crisis.
• To support families in distress by offering a short-term alternative to abandonment.
• To facilitate the safe and timely reunification of children with their parents or extended family members.
• To promote the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of every child in our care.
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4. Approach
Our approach centers around the following principles:
• Family Reunification: Every effort is made to trace, support, and reunite children with their biological families or extended kin.
• Child-Centered Care: Each child receives individualized support that fosters emotional healing, education, and personal growth.
• Community Collaboration: We work alongside social workers, religious leaders, and local authorities to ensure culturally appropriate and sustainable solutions.
• Inclusive Values: While our work is inspired by Christian values, we serve all children and families without discrimination, regardless of their religion or background.
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5. Sustainability and Future Plans
As a self-sponsored initiative, Riètta’s Safe Haven is currently sustained through personal contributions and support from a small network of well-wishers. Moving forward, we aim to:
• Secure partnerships with faith-based and non-faith-based donors and organizations.
• Train community-based caregivers and counselors to expand outreach capacity.
• Establish a reintegration support program for families post-reunification.
• Advocate for child protection policies that prioritize family-based care in Sierra Leone.
. For children without a plan of reunification and no safe relative to reunify , our safe home will push for guardianship rights and remain in place toll they age out
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6. Conclusion
Riètta’s Safe Haven for Kids stands as a beacon of hope for children in crisis. By offering a safe, temporary refuge and working to reunite families, we uphold the belief that every child deserves a future grounded in love, stability, and community.
We welcome partners, donors, and volunteers who share our vision to join us in giving every child the chance to grow up surrounded by the care and support they deserve.
