Naidi's Visit to West Africa
ERD Programme Manager, Naidi McDonnell, had the opportunity to travel to West Africa for the first time to visit ERD-funded projects in Sierra Leone and Liberia. She shares her reflections below:
This year, I had the incredible opportunity to visit our Edmund Rice projects in West Africa. Upon arrival, I was warmly welcomed by the West African leadership team. My first week was filled with activity as I joined Br. Abu Kargbo, the West Africa Mission Coordinator, for a whirlwind tour of three of our inspiring projects. Each community graciously hosted me, sharing their approaches and successes.
One highlight was visiting the Livelihoods project in Mabureh, where I met with women farmers engaged in climate-smart agriculture. This success of this initiative is driven by a locally-led approach; the Mission Development Office collaborates closely with communities to establish steering groups, fostering local ownership. Although women traditionally cannot own land in Sierra Leone, the team has partnered with local chiefs to secure land for them. These women receive training in agricultural techniques, crop processing, and storage, as well as financial literacy and business skills—empowering them as business leaders. The team also works with the community to build awareness of women’s rights and their valuable contributions. Both men and women expressed a profound shift in their perspectives on gender equality and roles, reflecting the powerful impact of this project.
After returning to Freetown, I joined Br. Albert Gomez and Br. Abu for a visit to the Irish Embassy in Sierra Leone. We were honoured to meet Ambassador Fitzpatrick and his development team to discuss potential future areas of collaboration. Following this, we met Solomon Mwongyere from the Irish League of Credit Unions International Foundation to explore ways that credit unions could support our project beneficiaries, encouraging long-term, sustainable change.
Later, Roisin Maguire and Ann Nichols from Edmund Rice England joined me. We visited the Brothers’ communities in Freetown, and it was heartwarming to witness the strong ties that still exist between these communities and the UK and Ireland. Many of the African Brothers fondly remembered their Irish and English colleagues. In Bo, we visited the Vocational Training project at the Senan Kerrigan Centre, named in honour of Br. Kerrigan, an Irish Brother who lost his life during the civil war. Br. Abu and his team have established a remarkable programme offering skills in tailoring, hairdressing, catering and computer studies for vulnerable women, including many single mothers. These women proudly displayed their newfound skills, sharing stories of how the project had transformed their lives and empowered them to support their families and inspire others to join the course.
We also visited the Girls' Empowerment project in Blama, where we were greeted by 150 girls and their parents. (Pictured: Beneficiary of the Girls Empowerment project.) This project enables girls to attend and finish school by providing essential school supplies, uniforms and even reusable sanitary products. With additional mentoring and academic support, the girls are thriving. Community outreach has shifted attitudes toward early marriage and female education, and chiefs have even made changes to local bylaws to protect girls’ right to education and to ban early childhood marriage. The joy was palpable as the students performed skits, songs and dances to celebrate our visit. Talking with the girls and their families, we heard firsthand about the profound impact this project has had on their lives and their futures.
Our final stop was St. Martin’s School in Liberia, where Br. Andrew Koroma and his team gave us a warm welcome. This year with support from ERD private donors, we equipped the school’s science lab, allowing students to conduct experiments for the first time. We also funded a garden for practical agricultural science sessions. Ann and Roisin had the chance to meet the St. Martin’s Advocacy group and were extremely impressed with how they spoke with such passion. This year, the school was connected with electricity and internet, enabling the St. Martin’s students to finally actively join in the international Edmund Rice Advocacy Network!
This trip was invaluable. It allowed us to witness the inspiring work of the West Africa Mission Development Office and the deep community bonds they’ve cultivated. We initiated promising partnerships and developed ideas for stronger collaboration within the Edmund Rice Network. Roisin, Ann, Br. Abu and I finished the trip feeling reinvigorated with new ideas for advocacy, fundraising and cross-learning. This journey has renewed our commitment to strengthening connections across the Edmund Rice Network. Here’s to many future collaborations!
